Olive oil ‘better than Viagra’ at slashing impotence

Scientists say adopting a Mediterranean style diet can vastly improve a man's sexual prowess.

A weekly dose of olive oil could be better than Viagra at helping boost a man’s performance in the bedroom, new research suggests.

Scientists from the University of Athens says just nine tablespoons of the popular condiment is enough to reduce impotence by around 40 per cent.

Olive oil has a wealth of health benefits including keeping blood vessels healthy and maintaining circulation throughout the body.

A study of 660 men with an average age of 67 found that those that adopted a Mediterranean style diet – rich in fruit and vegetables, legumes, fish and nuts, as well as olive oil – had far fewer problems in between the sheets and even saw a vast improvement in their bedroom prowess.

Olive oil can also help dramatically increase testosterone levels, which reduces the risk of erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to get and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.

According to the NHS, one in five British men over 40, the equivalent of 4.3 million men across the UK, are effected by erectile problems. Tiredness, anxiety, and drinking too much are just a few of the contributing factors.

Lead researcher Dr Christina Chrysohoou, said diet and exercise were key to improving sexual capacity of middle age and elderly men.

“Men that follow a Med diet – particularly consuming lots of olive oil – see their risk of impotence reduced by up to 40 per cent in older age."

She added that small lifestyle changes could prove more beneficial for those looking for a long-term solution. While Viagra, created in the 1990s and now available over the counter without prescription in the UK, has helped the the sex life of millions, the side-effects include headache, back pain and visual disturbance.

“This diet keeps your blood vessels healthy and lowers the risk of metabolic syndrome, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and central obesity.

“It offers men a long-term solution without taking any medication, such as Viagra. This diet keeps your blood vessels healthy.

"Viagra does not improve something long-term. It can only give some short effect in order to have sexual capacity."

Julie Ward, of the British Heart Foundation, welcomed the findings, saying “It's no surprise the Mediterranean diet – which we know is beneficial to heart and circulatory health – might benefit blood vessels and help men maintain healthy sexual function."