What's Good for Your Heart Is Good for Your Sex Life

Why blood flow matters

Arousal depends on healthy blood vessels for people of every sex. The same things that damage the heart, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking, can also affect sexual function.

In men, erectile difficulties can be an early warning sign of heart disease, so they are worth mentioning to a doctor.

What the research shows

In a randomised trial of men with obesity and erectile dysfunction, those who lost weight through a Mediterranean-style diet and more exercise saw improvements in erectile function compared with a control group.

A large long-term study also found that men who ate more flavonoid-rich foods, such as berries, citrus, and apples, were less likely to develop erectile problems.

Easy ways to eat for better circulation

• Fill half your plate with vegetables and fruit, especially berries, citrus, and leafy greens.
• Choose olive oil, nuts, and seeds over butter and fried foods.
• Eat fish, especially oily fish, once or twice a week.
• Swap refined grains for whole grains, beans, and lentils.
• Limit processed meat, sugary drinks, and very salty food.

Make it a couple's project

Cooking a healthy meal together counts as a date. Pick one new recipe a week and make it yours.