Do These Natural ‘Viagra’ Cures For Erectile Dysfunction Work?

Low libido and soft phallus?

For men suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED), the solution may be one of these natural remedies.

ED, which affects about 30 million American men, occurs when you can’t get or keep an erection strong enough for satisfying sex. Psychological problems, such as stress or past trauma; physical problems, such as diabetes or nerve problems; medications or substance use can cause it.

While many men who experience these problems turn to drugs like Viagra, some suggest that natural remedies are an equally effective means of regaining sexual power.

But do any of them really work? Read on to learn more.

Red grape juice

A new study published in The Aging Male has found that men who regularly drink grape juice can significantly reduce their chances of erectile dysfunction.

Researchers at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in North China found that, compared to those who did not consume grape juice at all, men who drank grape juice five or more times per week experienced a 79% decrease in ED difficulties.

“Grape juice has many phenolic compounds with health benefits, and red grape juice has more of these than white,” the team said in a report on their findings.

The research team claimed that this is likely because red grape varieties have higher levels of plant chemicals called phenols. These chemicals keep the arteries healthy and prevent narrowing that can limit blood flow to the genitals.

“Based on these results, we suggest that men – especially those over 40 years of age – may benefit from consuming grape juice more than five times per week to reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction,” they said.

In addition to its libido-enhancing qualities, red grape juice is also known to improve cardiovascular health by strengthening circulatory tissue and protecting against damage from high cholesterol.

Coffee

A study from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston found that caffeine reduces the likelihood of ED.

Researchers found that men over 20 who consumed the caffeine equivalent of 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day were less likely to report ED problems than men who avoided the stimulant. The association was stronger in overweight men.

Why does it work?

Caffeine has similar properties to ED drugs like Viagra, says study co-author Run Wang, MD. The stimulant causes a series of effects that cause the arteries in the penis to relax and increase blood flow – both keys to a strong erection.

Bonus? Some experts suggest that coffee consumption can intensify orgasms for both sexes.

Shilajit

Shilajit, a tar resin found in the Himalayas, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and has recently made the rounds on TikTok.

Known to some as the “Healer of All Weaknesses,” die-hard believers claim the supplement can boost testosterone.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, low testosterone affects about 2% of men, with symptoms ranging from depression, body hair loss and reduced libido to erectile dysfunction and low sperm count.

A clinical study found that men treated with a dose of shilajit twice a day for 90 consecutive days saw a significant increase in their testosterone and DHEA (both needed for muscle growth and sexual performance) compared to those given a placebo.

However, it doesn’t matter that shilajit is not FDA approved and research on it is limited.

beet

Beets have earned a reputation as a “vegetable Viagra.” Indeed, the blood red root vegetable has been praised for its aphrodisiac properties since ancient times. The Romans decorated the walls of brothels with images of voluptuous beets, and Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, is said to have consumed them to increase her sex appeal.

Despite beets’ longstanding reputation, there is little scientific evidence to support claims that they improve sexual health.

While there is no hard evidence (pun intended) to suggest that beets directly help with ED; beets are known to increase the amount of nitric oxide in the body, a compound that plays a key role in producing and maintaining an erection.

Nitric oxide is also thought to support testosterone in controlling blood flow before and during sex in men.

Beets are also a rich source of boron, a trace mineral that increases the level of sex hormones in the human body.

Finally, beetroot improves blood flow and can benefit the circulatory system, which theoretically can positively affect sexual function in both sexes.