Association between improved erectile function and dietary patterns: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Nutrition Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition affecting men's health.
• The precise relationship between dietary habits and erectile function remains unclear.
• Understanding dietary influences is crucial for developing effective ED management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and analyze existing literature on the association between dietary patterns and erectile function.
• To determine if specific diets can enhance erectile function or reduce ED risk.
• To synthesize findings from multiple studies through meta-analysis.

Main Methods:

• Literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases for studies published before August 1, 2022.
• Compilation and analysis of data including study design, participant demographics, dietary interventions, and clinical outcomes (ED incidence, IIEF-5 scores).
• Meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 27,389 participants to assess the statistical significance of dietary patterns on ED risk and erectile function.

Main Results:

• Plant-based diets, low-fat diets, and alternative diets (intermittent fasting, organic) were associated with a significantly reduced risk of ED.
• High-protein low-fat and high-carbohydrate low-fat diets demonstrated improvements in International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) scores.
• Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts showed a correlation with lower ED risk.
• Combined diet and exercise interventions significantly decreased ED likelihood and improved IIEF-5 scores.

Conclusions:

• A strong association exists between dietary patterns and erectile function.
• Low-fat and Mediterranean-style diets, particularly those abundant in fruits, vegetables, and nuts, may offer benefits for managing ED.
• Dietary modifications represent a promising non-pharmacological approach to improving erectile health.