5 Nitric Oxide Foods: Can An No Boost Help With ED? – Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual disorder that affects millions of men worldwide. It’s when a man cannot obtain or maintain a long enough erection to engage in sex. Most men are looking into natural solutions for ED, including foods that increase nitric oxide levels in the diet. Nitric oxide is a molecule important for erectile function and some evidence indicates that NO-rich foods might help alleviate the symptoms of ED. We’ll discuss in this article the top 5 nitric oxide foods that might help with erectile function and possibly prevent ED.
Nitric Oxide and Erectile Dysfunction:
NO acts as a strong vasodilator that relaxes the supple muscles of the blood vessels and opens them to allow the blood to flow. In ED, NO is required to obtain and sustain an erection because it causes the corpus cavernosum of the penis to contract and fill with blood. Low NO is therefore associated with ED and NO-packed foods are a popular natural solution to this disease.
1. Spinach
Spinach is a green leafy vegetable loaded with nutrients, including nitric oxide. It is rich in nitrates, which in the human body are transformed into nitric oxide. A study published in Urology found that men who ate spinach as part of their daily diet reported significant improvements in erectile function. This they attributed to spinach’s high nitrate content which when consumed relaxes and dilates blood vessels, opening them for better flow to the penis.
Yet spinach is something you can add deliciously to your diet. You can add it to salads, smoothies or cooked meals like pasta or stir-fries. A cup of cooked spinach delivers over half your daily nitrate intake.
2. Watermelon
Not only is watermelon cooling in the summer, it is also a high-concentration source of citrulline, an amino acid that converts to nitric oxide within the body. In one trial, reported in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, men with mild to moderate ED were given citrulline supplements and showed an increase in erectile function. Watermelon also contains lycopene, which is a potent antioxidant that will help to increase blood flow and soothe the tissues, which are necessary for getting an erection.
There’s only one fruit you can put to good use: dressing a salad, whipping up a smoothie, or simply eating it for fun. Just 1 cup of watermelon delivers about 150 mg of citrulline, so it is one of the best options for NO boosts.
3. Oysters
Oysters are aphrodisiacs, and rightly so. These fish are rich in zinc, which is crucial for the production of testosterone, a hormone that is crucial for sexual function. Zinc, too, enhances nitric oxide production in the body, promoting improved blood flow to the penis. Researchers in the journal Nutrition discovered that low zinc levels were correlated with ED in men.
4. Garlic
garlic is a common ingredient found in various cuisines across the world. It also boasts of many health properties such as its ability to enhance nitric oxide levels in the body. In a 2011 study in the Journal of Nutrition, men with high blood pressure who took a supplement of garlic for 12 weeks reported significant erectile function improvements. The researchers credited this to garlic’s capacity to increase the production of nitric oxide and improve blood flow.
5. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is not only delicious, but it is a rich source of flavonoids, an antioxidant that promotes the production of nitric oxide in the body. In one study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, men with ED who regularly consumed dark chocolate reported increased erectile function. They posited that dark chocolate’s flavonoids relax and dilate blood vessels, increasing blood supply to the penis.
6. Beetroot
Beetroot contains dietary nitrates, which your body converts into NO through various enzymatic processes. Studies have shown that beetroot supplementation can help improve endothelial function, NO levels and blood flow – all of which is useful for managing ED. Moreover, beetroot has a good safety record, so it is a popular natural remedy for those who want to boost their sexual health.
Clinical Evidence:
Although many studies have shown that NO-rich foods can improve endothelial health and blood flow, few clinical studies specifically focus on whether they reduce ED. But a 2015 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in the journal ‘Urology’ found that 1,000 mg per day of L-citrulline and 1,000 mg of L-arginine, precursors of NO, improved erectile function in mildly ED men. Although not addressing NO-rich foods, this research emphasizes the importance of NO-enhancing supplements in the treatment of ED.
Although eating these nitric oxide foods can help relieve ED symptoms, it is still not meant to be used in lieu of medical treatment. ED should be diagnosed and treated by a healthcare provider. Additionally, we must eat well and correctly, exercise regularly, and refrain from smoking and drinking too much to gain a better sexual wellbeing.
Conclusion: 5 Nitric Oxide Foods: Can An No Boost Help With ED?
Overall, nitric oxide is one of the most important substances in erectile function. Thus, consuming foods high in NO is a potential remedy for ED. We learned earlier that NO-rich foods will improve your sexual health: spinach, watermelon, oysters, garlic, dark chocolate. These foods are high in nitric oxide and other compounds that promote sexual health. The precise mechanism of how these foods work in treating ED remains to be understood. These food, so far, will be convenient and palatable additions to a healthy and balanced diet that can potentially support erectile function.
