Question: What should I eat if I have ED?
Answer: Research shows that a healthy diet can lower the risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED) and improve ED symptoms.3

Your food choices are important for managing or preventing ED. Studies have shown that certain diets—such as the Mediterranean diet—help decrease the chance of getting ED.4,5 Table A3-5 of the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (PDF, 32.5 MB)  offers more information about the Mediterranean diet for healthy eating.

Healthy food choices include

vegetables, such as cabbage,leafy greens, andbeets
fruits, such as apples, berries,kiwifruit, and oranges
legumes, such as lentils, beans, and peas
unsaturated fatsfrom nuts, seeds, and fatty fish
whole-grain foods, such as oats, brown rice, and quinoa

Your health care professional may suggest you work with a registered dietitian, if possible, to create an eating plan for your individual needs. You can find a registered dietitian online through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or through your health care professional. A dietitian can create a custom meal plan for you.
Question: What foods and drinks should I avoid if I have ED?
Answer: Foods and drinks that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity can also increase the chance of having ED.

Try to avoid or limit

foods high insaturated fats, such as red meat and fried foods
full-fat dairy foods, including whole milk, cream, butter, and cheese
refined carbohydrates, such as pastries, chips, white rice, and candy
foods and drinks high insodiumandadded sugars
packaged foods, such as lunch meats and snack bars
drinks that containalcohol