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You know that smoking can cause impotence. Usually this warning is listed on the cigarette packaging. Well, the cause of impotence is not only from smoking. According to research, sugary foods or drinks that are consumed too much can also be a cause of impotence. How so, huh? To be clearer, consider the following review.
What is impotence?
Impotence or erectile dysfunction is the failure of the penis to achieve a normal erection during sex. Erection itself is characterized by the tightening of the penis during sexual stimulation such as kissing, hugging, touching, and when fantasizing or seeing something that can increase lust.
When a man feels aroused, the muscles in the penis relax so that blood flow through the arteries of the penis increases. The blood fills the so-called penis space corpova cavernosa so that the penis will straighten, tighten, and become bigger. The erection will end when the muscles contract and the blood that has been collected can flow out through the veins of the penis.
Impotent men usually have difficulty achieving an erection or maintaining an erection during intercourse or masturbating. Apart from the age factor, there are many things that cause impotence, be it due to emotional or physical disorders, such as:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and triglyceride levels)
- Injury
- Obesity
- Depression
- Smoking habit
- Use of certain drugs and alcohol
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Can sugary foods and drinks be a cause of impotence?
Reported by the Cleveland Clinic, a urologist from the United States, dr. Edmund Sabanegh said that an unhealthy lifestyle, especially a poor diet can cause various health problems, including impotence in men.
Consuming excessively sweet foods or drinks without exercise can lead to obesity and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. These two conditions are associated with impotence in men, although not directly. In some men, impotence is a symptom of type 2 diabetes. Why is that?
As explained by dr. Mark Hyman, sugar can affect a person's sex drive and sexual function. Well, most sugar can reduce testosterone levels in the body so that muscle mass decreases and fat in the stomach also accumulates. In addition, the reduced testosterone becomes unbalanced so that estrogen levels are higher. This condition has the potential to cause decreased sexual desire and difficulty having an erection.
When erect, there will be release of nitric oxide (NO) in the penis. However, in diabetic patients, blood sugar levels in patients inhibit the production of enzymes and release of NO. This condition causes the penis to be unable to make an erection longer and stronger.
How to prevent impotence?
Actually, it's okay if you like sweet foods as long as you know the limits. Likewise with fatty foods. Excess fat and sugar in the body can make you gain weight, especially if you are lazy to exercise. If you are accustomed to a lifestyle like this, the risk of obesity, heart disease, or diabetes becomes greater and your potential for impotence is also greater.
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