A Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Dr Ayodele Ademola, has dismissed claims that consuming sugary foods directly causes erectile dysfunction, except where excessive sugar intake contributes to diabetes.
Ademola, who is the Medical Director of StrongTower Hospital and Advanced Fertility Centre, a private medical facility in Lagos, said diet and lifestyle choices could influence the risk of developing potency problems, especially through conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
He explained that while eating sugary foods alone would not cause erectile dysfunction in individuals without diabetes, poor dietary habits could lead to weight gain and obesity, which are recognised risk factors for the condition.
“If an individual is not diabetic, the fact that he eats sugary things alone will not make him develop potency problems,” Ademola said.
He advised men experiencing erectile dysfunction to seek proper medical evaluation rather than resorting to unverified drugs, noting that the condition is common and should not be viewed as unusual or a source of unnecessary anxiety.
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According to him, diabetes and psychological stress are among the major causes of erectile dysfunction, while foods that increase the risk of diabetes may indirectly contribute to the condition.
Ademola also noted that diets high in saturated fats are associated with heart disease, adding that men with cardiovascular conditions are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.
He described erectile dysfunction as a common medical disorder whose prevalence increases with age and stressed the need for greater awareness and early screening, as the condition can sometimes indicate underlying health problems.
The gynaecologist encouraged people to adopt healthier lifestyles, including regular exercise, balanced diets, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol intake and avoiding tobacco use, to lower the risk of conditions linked to erectile dysfunction.
“Healthy lifestyle habits improve blood flow, balance hormones and protect overall vascular health. A healthy person would always perform better,” he said.
NAN
