Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine and the New England Research Institutes report that man's risk of developing erectile dysfunction is greatly reduced with physical activity of at least 200 calories a day - the equivalent of walking briskly for two miles.

The study shows that men who exercise, even those who begin exercising at mid-life, are at a lower risk for developing erectile dysfunction (impotence) as compared to sedentary men.

 

Suprisingly, smoking cessation in middle age did not significantly reduce erectile dysfunction risk. "There was no significant difference in risk between men who quit smoking and those who continued to smoke," said author Irwin Goldstein, MD, professor of urology at Boston University School of Medicine.

The same held true for men who stopped drinking. In addition, men who were over-weight were at increased rate of developing erectile dysfunction regardless of whether they lost weight or not.

However, men who remained active or even began physical activity at midlife were at the lowest risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Further, a dose-response relationship was identified between the probability of erectile dysfunction and the level of physical activity. "Men who exercised more than the 200 calories a day, had the lowest risk of developing erectile dysfunction," added Goldstein.

"This is the first longitudinal population-based study to show that exercise, which is beneficial for many other cardiovascular conditions, benefits sexual function as well. The implications of this are enormous," added Goldstein.

Bottom line: Exercise and healthy diet help men perform better in bed, studies show. 

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