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4 sexual benefits of ginger for men, according to science

4 min read

Written by: 

Emily Laurence

Reviewed by: 

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Published: Jun 25, 2024

Updated:  Apr 07, 2026

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Reviewed By

Raagini Yedidi, MD

Raagini Yedidi, MD, is an internal medicine resident and medical reviewer for Ro.

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Key takeaways

  • Ginger may increase blood flow, which can lead to better erections. 

  • It may also decrease anxiety (which can help address stress-induced sexual woes) and increase sexual desire, but more research in humans is needed. 

  • Consuming ginger could improve sperm quality, especially when combined with cinnamon.

  • Ginger is generally considered safe in moderation, and negative side effects are rare. However, they may include mild heartburn, mouth irritation, or diarrhea.

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Key takeaways

  • Ginger may increase blood flow, which can lead to better erections. 

  • It may also decrease anxiety (which can help address stress-induced sexual woes) and increase sexual desire, but more research in humans is needed. 

  • Consuming ginger could improve sperm quality, especially when combined with cinnamon.

  • Ginger is generally considered safe in moderation, and negative side effects are rare. However, they may include mild heartburn, mouth irritation, or diarrhea.

Ginger is a pantry staple, but have you heard that adding it to your diet can enhance sexual function — even help erectile dysfunction, improve performance, and increase satisfaction? If so, you’ve come to the right place. 

Read on to find out whether ginger can really boost your bedroom activities and how to incorporate this plant into your diet for the ultimate sexual benefits.

4 sexual benefits of ginger 

Ginger may be best known for easing nausea or spicing up a warm cup of tea, but it may also offer benefits in the bedroom. Here’s a closer look at ginger’s potential sexual benefits. 

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1.  Help maintain health of blood vessels 

While the direct effects of ginger on erectile function haven’t been studied in depth, ginger may improve some aspects of blood flow in the body. 

As we know, blood flow is an important part of getting and maintaining an erection. Ginger may have beneficial effects on blood pressure, which is important for maintaining cardiovascular health. 

Studies show a correlation between high blood pressure and risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). So this effect of ginger may prove helpful to those who incorporate it into their routine. Furthermore, the antioxidant effects of ginger may help reduce damage to your body’s blood vessels over time, which will help promote erectile health.

2. May improve fertility 

If you want to grow your family, it may help to start working ginger into more of your meals. Animal studies of rats with diabetes show that ginger could improve semen quality by improving the quality and concentration of sperm. 

It’s important to note that this connection hasn’t been confirmed in human studies. But scientific researchers believe it's the antioxidants in ginger that help improve semen in these ways. (By the way, they actually studied ginger when it was combined with cinnamon to determine the effects on semen quality, so you may want to blend the herbs together.) 

3. May reduce anxiety (and, in turn, stress-induced sexual issues)

It’s hard to get in the mood when anxiety is ruling your body and mind. Animal studies show that consuming ginger could help decrease feelings of anxiety, which is scientifically plausible because it contains compounds that bind to a serotonin receptor. 

Studies involving humans still need to be done to confirm the connection. But it’s certainly a promising hypothesis. Other nutrients found in food that may help with anxiety include omega-3 fatty acids, some strains of probiotics, and magnesium.

4. May increase sexual desire

Besides decreasing anxiety, consuming ginger could help get you in the mood by making you feel more sexually aroused. 

In one scientific study that involved 249 men and 250 women, people who consumed ginger regularly reported higher levels of sexual desire than people who didn’t eat ginger regularly. Not only did those who consumed ginger have a stronger desire to have sex, but they were more aroused while they did it, too.

General health benefits of ginger 

One of the reasons why ginger can be so beneficial is that it’s very high in antioxidants.

  • This is important because oxidative stress related to aging can lead to health conditions negatively impacting numerous organs, such as the brain, kidneys, and heart. 

Another way ginger benefits heart health is by supporting healthy cholesterol levels. 

  • One meta analysis of 26 different scientific studies found that consuming ginger or taking a ginger supplement regularly may help lower LDL cholesterol (aka “bad” cholesterol) while raising HDL cholesterol (that’s thought of as the “good” type).

Scientific studies show that ginger can help with nausea and vomiting. 

There’s some scientific evidence that consuming ginger regularly can play a supporting role in healthy weight loss, too. 

  • In one meta-analysis of studies focusing on ginger and weight loss, some studies found that taking a ginger supplement regularly helped reduce body weight in people with obesity. 

Are there any health risks of ginger? 

After learning about all of the ginger benefits for men, you may be ready to start incorporating ginger into more of your meals. But before you do, it’s important to be aware of any health risks. 

As with any herb, there is always a risk of an allergy or sensitivity. That said, ginger is widely known to be safe to eat. Negative side effects are rare, but could include mild heartburn, mouth irritation, or diarrhea. As with most components of a diet, moderation is important. Before making any significant changes to your diet, discuss with a healthcare provider.

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Bottom line

Unfortunately, there hasn't been enough research on humans to determine whether ginger has any sexual benefits for humans. But animal studies show that ginger may be a powerful medicinal plant in many ways, including when it comes to your sex life. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Ginger may support erectile health by promoting healthy blood flow, blood pressure, and blood vessel function, though its direct effects on erections are not well studied.

  • The herb may also have the power to decrease anxiety and increase sexual desire – two effects that can help support strong erectile function. But again, more research is needed. 

  • Increasing your intake of ginger could benefit fertility. Animal studies suggest the herb can improve semen quality in rats with diabetes. 

  • Ginger is generally considered safe in moderation, though an allergy or sensitivity is possible. Adverse side effects are rare but may include mild heartburn, mouth irritation, or diarrhea. 

So while it shouldn’t be your first line of defense to treat conditions such as ED, premature ejaculation, or low libido, adding more ginger to your diet may be a low-risk way to improve your overall and sexual health. 

DISCLAIMER

If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Sexual Health
Erectile Dysfunction

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