Olive oil and lemon for ED: are they effective?

Today, erectile dysfunction (ED) is more treatable than ever. However, many people who experience it may feel desperate for a quick fix and turn to home remedies, like olive oil and lemon juice for ED. But will this DIY approach actually help you get hard and stay hard? 

The short answer is no, but keep reading to understand why (and what will actually help).

No, olive oil and lemon juice are not proven to be effective for ED.  

• There’s no scientific evidence to prove that swigging lemon juice and olive oil helps ED. That said, numerous studies suggest that diet may play a role in erectile function. 

• Erectile dysfunction is often a result of limited blood flow to the penis. Blood vessel health and, thus, blood flow can be affected by many things, including health conditions like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even your diet. 

• Consuming foods that support heart health could help improve blood flow with time, and along with a full treatment plan, contribute to better erections. Olive oil, for example, is known to contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that may support cardiovascular health.

• While there’s not much evidence that lemons specifically improve sexual health, research has found that increasing the intake of flavonoid-rich fruits (including citrus fruits) was associated with about a 14% reduced risk for ED.

Some science behind the potential health benefits of olive oil and lemon is promising, but take it with a grain of salt, since there are no studies that directly prove the efficacy of olive oil and lemon juice for ED. This also means we don’t know how much olive oil and lemon juice you’d need to consume to reap benefits. It’s best to consume olive oil and lemon juice as components of an overall healthy and balanced diet.

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No, olive oil and lemon juice cannot replace Viagra (sildenafil). Unfortunately, there’s no magic food that can fix ED. While olive oil and lemon juice do have properties that may contribute to overall health, they can’t replace ED medications. 

ED medications, such as Viagra and Cialis (tadalafil), have been rigorously tested in clinical settings and are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ED, while olive oil and lemon juice are not.

If you have ED, a combination of medication and healthy lifestyle changes may be your best bet. Short-term treatments like Viagra can help you get and maintain an erection, while eating nutritious foods and regularly exercising can support long-term sexual health and overall quality of life.

While olive oil and lemon juice aren’t quick fixes for ED, these foods do have potential health benefits. For example:

• Oleic acid (the main fatty acid found in olive oil) may have additional health benefits like lowering cholesterol. While more research is needed, high cholesterol is associated with a higher risk of ED.

• Olive oil contains many polyphenols, naturally occurring plant compounds with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help fight against cell damage and may support overall health. 

• Research suggests that regularly consuming olive oil (particularly extra virgin olive oil) promotes healthy arteries and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Lemon juice is a great source of vitamin C, which helps support immune health and overall wellness. 

Eating a Mediterranean diet may help with ED, since it can promote better overall health. 

The Mediterranean diet is a heart-healthy eating plan that includes lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon). Olive oil and lemon are also staples in a Mediterranean diet. 

Studies have found that men who adhere to a Mediterranean diet have a lower prevalence of ED. These nutritious, plant-forward diets can also support weight loss and may help improve testosterone levels over time in people with obesity, thereby addressing multiple risk factors for ED.

Additional large research studies show similar findings. 

Though more research is needed, other foods that may indirectly support better erections as part of a balanced diet include: 

• Apples

• Tomatoes

• Soybeans

• Eggs, 

• Beans

• Bell peppers

• Dark chocolate (minimum 70% cacao)

Foods like these are rich in natural compounds like lycopene, folate, and L-arginine, which may support blood vessel health and erectile function. Evidence regarding potential benefits in other conditions like premature ejaculation (PE) is limited.

While consuming olive oil and lemon juice may not hurt you, the combo on its own isn’t likely to do anything to enhance erections. If you are experiencing symptoms of ED, a healthcare provider can help you navigate treatment options. There are many medications and alternative ED treatments available with far more research backing. These include: 

Medications

PDE5 inhibitors (phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors) are a class of oral medications that are FDA-approved for treating ED. They work, in part, by increasing blood flow to the penis, helping you get and maintain an erection when you’re aroused. These prescription-only drugs include: 

• Sildenafil (Viagra)

• Tadalafil (Cialis)

• Avanafil (Stendra)

• Vardenafil

Other formulations of these drugs include Ro Sparks (a dissolvable tablet containing both sildenafil and tadalafil that takes effect about 15 minutes after dissolving) and Daily Rise Gummies (a daily gummy containing tadalafil). While the FDA doesn’t specifically approve these formulations (so they are considered off-label), their active ingredients are individually FDA-approved for treating ED.

Penile injections

Penile injections may be a good option for those who can’t take PDE5 inhibitors due to medical reasons, such as certain heart conditions or medication interactions. (Of course, always make sure you are cleared for sex by your healthcare provider, especially if you have a heart condition). 

Penile injections work directly on the blood vessels and smooth muscle in the penis, increasing blood flow and producing  an erection. You administer this injection before you have sex. Unlike PDE5 inhibitors, these injections can cause an erection even without sexual stimulation. 

Sex therapy

Sometimes the cause of ED is psychological rather than physiological. A sex therapist can help a person with psychogenic ED:

• Process past sexual trauma

• Learn techniques to reduce anxiety

• Increase sexual stimulation and intimacy

• Build self-esteem 

• Address concerns between sexual partners  

Healthy diet and lifestyle habits

Eating healthy is essential for overall health, including penis health. 

Sticking to more plant-based diets rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting processed foods or those high in saturated fats (like butter, cheese, and red meats) can improve blood flow and bolster erections. 

Eating right and practicing other lifestyle habits like exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and cutting back on alcohol have health benefits and can also prevent conditions linked to ED like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. 

Other options

There are even more treatment options for erectile dysfunction, including non-invasive devices like vacuum pumps or even surgery in some cases. If one treatment strategy doesn’t work for you, don’t worry. There may be other things you can try. Speak to your healthcare provider to learn more.

Drinking olive oil and lemon juice is not a proven method to help ED. Quick fixes and home remedies in general are not the best solution for erectile dysfunction. 

• Olive oil and lemon juice cannot replace clinically-proven erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra or Cialis.

• Eating a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet can help improve your overall health, which could, in turn, lower your risk for erectile dysfunction over time. 

• Olive oil and lemon both have potential health benefits, including antioxidant protection, which can improve cardiovascular health and even potentially boost the immune system over time. Still, they won’t improve erections on their own.

• It’s better to opt for tried-and-true treatments for ED like PDE5 inhibitors and penile injections. You can also consider other treatment options including overall healthy lifestyle changes. A healthcare provider can help determine which treatment approach is best for you.