Caffeine Linked to Lower Risk of Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is often linked to something physical, such as a heart condition, high blood pressure, obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. A recent study suggests that consuming caffeine daily, in an amount typically found in two to three cups of coffee, may lower the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Participants in the study included 3,724 who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers evaluated commonality of erectile dysfunction using a single question during a self-paced, computer-assisted self-interview. They assessed caffeine intake — which included tea, coffee, and caffeinated soft drinks — using 24-hour dietary recall data.

After examining the data, the researchers found that drinking between 85 and 170 milligrams of caffeine was associated with a 43% decrease in the likelihood of reporting erectile dysfunction compared to those who drank less than 10 milligrams daily. For those who drank between 171 and 303 mg of caffeine, the decrease was 39%. These numbers held true even for men who were overweight, obese, and hypertensive.

No decrease was seen in men with diabetes, regardless of the amount of caffeine consumed.

Researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston conducted the study. It was published on April 28, 2015, in PLOS ONE.

Previous studies have found that regular consumption of caffeine may provide a number of health benefits. These benefits are particularly associated with coffee, which has been linked to reductions in the risk of prostate cancer, cirrhosis and oral cavities.