The 4 Worst Foods for Erectile Dysfunction: Here’s What to Avoid

If you’re worried about erectile dysfunction (ED), you may be wondering if your food choices are putting you at risk. Can certain foods or beverages help you have firmer, more reliable erections? 

The short answer is: Yes — food does matter. 

Your health is about more than what you eat or drink. And no single food or food group will cause ED. But some foods — like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains — can lower your risk for chronic health conditions. And there’s solid evidence that some other types of food, like red meat and fried foods, are risk factors for them. In turn, these health conditions may cause ED (or make it more likely). 

Read on for the four worst foods for erectile dysfunction. 

1. Fried food

Fried foods are high in saturated fat and trans fat. You can deep-fry almost anything in oil, but common favorites include:

• French fries

• Chicken strips

• Fried fish

• Mozzarella strips

• Egg rolls

• Fried chicken

• Corn dogs

Eating these foods frequently can lead to weight gain, heart disease, and high cholesterol — all of which can cause ED. 

2. Red meat

Just like fried foods, red meat is high in saturated fat. Red meat generally refers to any animal protein that’s not fish or poultry, including:

• Beef

• Lamb

• Pork

• Veal

• Goat

• Venison

• Mutton

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• Curable causes of ED: Some causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) are reversible or curable. By addressing the underlying cause, you may be able to get an erection without medication.  

• Do all men get ED as they age? ED is more likely as you age. But men who have better physical health are also more likely to have better sexual health.   

• Can medications cause ED? Over 100 different medications can cause erectile dysfunction. In many cases, stopping the medication or cutting down on your dose can improve or resolve it.

The saturated fat in red meat can increase your cholesterol levels and cause fatty buildup in your blood vessels — including the ones in your penis. This can make it harder for blood to flow into your genitals. And without good blood flow, your penis can’t become erect. 

3. Food high in sodium

Eating too much salt (sodium chloride) can cause high blood pressure, which some research studies have linked to ED. 

About 70% of the salt people eat comes from packaged and processed foods, including:

• Bread

• Lunch meat

• Burgers

• Tacos

• Rice

• Pasta

• Pizza

• Meat and poultry

• Seafood

• Soups

A high-salt diet may also be directly connected to ED. But more research is needed before experts can say for sure.   

4. Alcohol

Alcohol can cause major problems with erections. Drinking too much alcohol over time can affect your nerves and blood vessels, including those in your penis. Even 1 to 2 drinks can make it harder to have an erection — especially if you already have a history of erection problems. And keep in mind: Drinking alcohol can also interfere with ED medications like Viagra (sildenafil) or Cialis (tadalafil).

The best thing to do if you have ED is to limit alcohol and eat a wide variety of healthy foods every day. 

Foods that help  ED

The Mediterranean diet is a great option for overall health. And there’s evidence that following a Mediterranean diet might prevent ED in some people.  

This is a style of eating that consists mostly of whole plant-based foods, along with healthy fats and protein. In general, this includes: 

• Beans

• Lentils

• Whole grains like rice, couscous, and farro 

• Mostly whole-wheat breads and pasta

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Nuts and seeds

• Herbs

• Olive oil as the main source of fat (in place of butter and margarine)

• Poultry, eggs, and cheese

• Some fish/seafood 

The Mediterranean diet limits many of the foods already known to be risk factors for conditions that can lead to ED. It also limits:

• Sugary foods and drinks

• Highly processed foods, like packaged snacks or convenience meals

• Refined carbohydrates, like white bread and white rice

• Saturated fats, like red meat and butter

Limiting these foods can be good for your overall health — and that includes your sexual health. 

Other causes of ED

ED is multifactorial, meaning it’s usually caused by several different health conditions at the same time. Food may play a role in those health problems, but so do your genes and the environment you live and grew up in, stretching as far back as before you were born.   

Other health problems

Typically, health conditions that cause inadequate blood flow or nerve damage are linked to ED. Here are some examples:

• Diabetes

• Parkinson’s disease

• High cholesterol

• High blood pressure

Medication side effects

Medications can also affect your ability to have an erection. Common medications that cause ED include:

• Water pills or diuretics like spironolactone and furosemide

• Blood pressure and heart medications, such as chlorothiazide, lisinopril, amlodipine, and losartan

• Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Antihistamines like Benadryl and Dramamine

• Parkinson’s medications like pramipexole and carbidopa/levodopa

• Opioids like morphine and oxycodone

Smoking

Smoking is a leading cause of ED in the U.S. Toxic chemicals from inhaled smoke can damage blood vessels and result in decreased blood flow to the penis. In fact, in 2014, the U.S Surgeon General added ED to the long list of conditions that smoking causes.

The only way to treat ED caused by smoking is to stop smoking. Studies have shown that stopping cigarette smoking can improve ED in many people who smoke.

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Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Meredith Hoffa

Meredith Hoffa is a senior health editor at GoodRx, where she leads journalists and clinicians covering various well-being topics, particularly in diet and nutrition.

Reviewed by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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