Erectile dysfunction

The idea that men need to eat red meat to perform sexually couldn’t be more wrong. Foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol (meat, eggs and dairy products) that clog up the arteries leading to and from the heart can also block the blood flow to other vital organs!

A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, pulses, nuts and seeds protects against and can even reverse blocked arteries, heart disease, stroke as well as lowering the risk of impotence – which can be an early warning of heart disease.

Vegan fire-fighter Rip Esselstyn (son of esteemed heart surgeon Dr Caldwell Esselstyn) says: “the canary in the coal mine when it comes to heart disease is an underperforming penis”.

There is some evidence that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to erectile dysfunction. The government says everyone should consider taking a daily 10 microgram supplement of vitamin D during the winter months.

Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day, pulses (peas, beans and lentils), wholegrain foods such as brown rice, wholemeal bread and wholemeal pasta, nuts and seeds. Find out what you need to eat each day here.