A new study by Harvard University and the University of East Angila (UEA) has shown that consuming certain fruits high in flavoniods can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction in men, particularly those under 70, according to Fox News.  Additionally, a 14 percent reduction in risk was associated with a diet with a higher fruit intake overall.

The research also revealed the consumption of a flavonoid-rich diet provided as much benefit in preventing the condition as briskly walking up to five hours per week.

And we are just talking about a few portions per week, according to Aedin Cassidy, a nutrition professor at UEA.  Cassidy, lead author on the study, also said men regularly consuming foods with these flavonoids were 10 percent less likely to experience erectile dysfunction.

The researchers analyzed data from about 50,000 healthy, middle-aged men, who were quizzed about their experiences with erectile dysfunction, data that had been collected since 1986.  The team factored in body weight, the level of physical activity, caffeine consumption, and smoking habits into their analysis of the subjects’ dietary intake.

Approximately one-third of the men reported experiencing erectile dysfunction, but those eating a diet rich in anthocyanins, favlones and flavanones were less likely to be affected.  Cassidy added they found the benefits were strongest among younger men, and that an increase in physical activity also led to lowering the risk.  Anthocyanins are found in fruits like blueberries, cherries, blackberries and radishes, and flavanones and flavones are present in citrus fruits.

Senior author Dr. Eric Rimm, an epidemiology and nutrition professor at Harvard said in the press release, “As well as improving sexual health for middle-aged men, there is another important benefit linked to heart health.”  Dr. Rimm added erectile dysfunction is often an early barometer of poor vascular function, and recognizing that could lead to prevention of cardiovascular disease and heart attack, and reduce the chances of death.

Previous research has shown the intake of a flavonoid-rich diet has the benefits of reducing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but Cassidy said this study was the first to analyze the association between the diet and erectile dysfunction.

The findings of the study can be found in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.