Regularly eating spicy food is associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction among men, a new study has demonstrated.
Latest research from the University of South China has found that men who consume spicy food at least three times a week are roughly three times more at risk of experiencing erectile complications.
The authors said: “Our study suggests that frequent spicy food consumption may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, especially among non-smokers.
“The higher their spicy frequency eating, the higher the severity of erectile dysfunction. Diets of men with erectile dysfunction may need to be adjusted to consider the impact of spicy food.”
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More than 50% of men aged between 40 and 70 experience erectile complications, the research has reported.
Men who are older and smoke are more at risk of erectile dysfunction. In addition, men with nerve damage, diabetes and heart disease are also more at risk.
The research team analysed the eating patterns and smoking habits of 400 men, all of whom filled in detailed lifestyle surveys.
The findings have revealed that the participants who regularly eat spicy food experienced more erectile complications than those who eat blander food.
According to the results, the participants who eat spicy food three or more times a week had lower levels of testosterone compared to those who rarely eat spicy food.
In addition, men who frequently eat hot peppers are more likely to be irritable compared to those who do not consume hot peppers.
“They frequently tend to form an irritable character, which is prone to quarrels and disharmonious family relations,” said the authors.
Professor Raj Persad, consultant urologist at Bristol Urology, commented: “This is an interesting observational study.
“There are all sorts of possible explanations for these observations. One may be that those who eat more spicy food may have more of a tendency to diabetes or high BMI – both of which could be implicated in erectile dysfunction. The study may illustrate one important principle in the management of erectile dysfunction.”
