There are very few realms of dubious endeavour that attract more spurious interest than the old chestnut of erectile dysfunction
There are very few realms of dubious endeavour that attract more spurious interest than the old chestnut of erectile dysfunction.
Sadly, it is far too common for species of endangered wildlife, such as tigers and rhinoceroses, that suffer in the bid to restore flagging male virility.
So surely we must rejoice in the findings of a study suggesting a handful or two of nuts added to a Western-style diet might be all that is required to improve sexual function.
An RCT, titled “Effect of Nut Consumption on Erectile and Sexual Function in Healthy Males: A Secondary Outcome” and published in the journal Nutrients, found adding 60gm of almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts to the daily diet improved orgasm quality and sexual desire in males compared with men who did not eat nuts.
The researchers assessed the changes in erectile function by analysing both self-reported responses to questionnaires and biomarkers in blood samples taken from participants.
“Our study suggests that compliance with a healthy diet supplemented with mixed nuts may help to erectile function and sexual desire,” the authors wrote.
Exactly why this should be the case is unclear from the study and the researchers cautioned that additional studies involving a larger number of participants were needed to validate the results from this small study.
And it is important to note that the study was funded, in part, by the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, who no doubt would be thrilled to bits by these findings.
On the other hand, anything that might encourage fellows to eat a healthier Mediterranean-style diet, cut back on the grog and smokes, and leave the tigers and rhinos in peace, has got be a good thing, right?
