WHILE CARROTS HAVE long been hailed by scientists as vegetable royalty thanks to their rich vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content, some researchers now think there could be a link between carotene – which the superfood is rich in – and erectile dysfunction.
What did the study find?
Using existing large-scale genetic data, the study looked at whether men with genetic variants linked to higher levels of specific vitamins and antioxidants were more or less likely to develop erectile dysfunction.
One such compound they studied was carotene – the pigment which gives carrots their distinct orange colour. Aside from their colour properties, carotenes – the plant form of Vitamin A – act as antioxidants, protecting cells from damage and potentially supporting vision, immunity and cognitive function. All the good stuff, right? Well, not all of it, according to the researchers’ findings.
Based on their data, the researchers actually found that higher levels of carotene were associated with a significantly higher risk of male erectile dysfunction.
What does this mean for us?
Before you cleanse your home of all carrots, however, it’s important to flag a few nuances. According to the researchers’ findings, men with genetically higher carotene levels had almost 60% higher odds of experiencing erectile dysfunction.
In other words, because the study relied on genetic data rather than dietary data, it can’t directly prove a link between eating more carotene-rich foods and erectile dysfunction yet.
Why has increased carotene been linked to erectile dysfunction?
The researchers are also unsure why this is the case in the first place. They flag that some previous studies have reported that carotene ‘can interfere with the balance of other antioxidant systems’ in some circumstances, potentially leading to endothelial dysfunction.
Endothelial dysfunction can lead to reduced nitric oxide bioavailability (how much nitric oxide can be absorbed into the bloodstream), which is needed to kickstart blood flow to the penis to trigger an erection.
The bottom line
However, the researchers say there are multiple, complex mechanisms that can all affect erectile dysfunction risk, and that more research is required to understand these biological pathways and how nutritional factors can both increase and reduce the risk.
They highlight the need for future research to reflect factors including age, lifestyle, and co-morbidities, which may influence both vitamin levels and erectile function, and for the populations studied to be more ethnically diverse. Additionally, this particular study uncovered a potential link rather than a direct cause, reinforcing the need for more research generally.
When 50% of men have experienced some form of erectile dysfunction before, and 40% would not feel comfortable seeking help for it, according to LloydsPharmacy, it’s a pressing issue.
For now, though, there are far more benefits associated with carrots than risks – but as with most things, everything in moderation still applies.
This article originally appeared on Men’s Health US.
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