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Your sex life, your way
If you’re looking for ways to improve your sexual health, you might look into whether eating certain foods can have an effect. You may have even heard that eating pineapple can benefit you in the bedroom and boost your sex life.
There’s no denying that pineapple is a great food. Not only is this fruit delicious, but there are also some pretty incredible pineapple benefits, from the variety of vitamins it offers to its antioxidant properties and more.
But are there sexual benefits of pineapple for males? Could this tangy fruit help with issues like erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE)?
This guide will explore whether pineapple can benefit you sexually, as well as inform you of all the health benefits of this tropical fruit.
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If you enjoy eating this fruit, you’re in luck, as there are so many benefits of pineapple. There may even be some benefits of pineapple sexually.
Pineapples are nutrient-dense, meaning they’re low in calories but packed with impressive nutrients. A cup of fresh pineapple chunks is also incredibly hydrating, as it contains over 85 percent water.
Pineapple is an excellent source of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant important for many bodily functions, such as growth and development, iron absorption and immune health.
This fruit is also a great source of manganese, which helps with metabolism and offers antioxidant properties.
Inflammation and oxidative stress are bodily conditions that can cause cell damage and lead to diseases such as cancer. Antioxidants help prevent inflammation and ward off oxidative stress, which can help keep you healthy. The antioxidant properties of pineapples can also help improve heart health and prevent cardiovascular disease, among other ailments and chronic diseases.
Pineapple may also have anticancer effects. A review of studies on the effects of bromelain found that this group of digestive enzymes, which can be found in pineapple, may be a cancer prevention agent.
The anti-inflammatory properties of bromelain may also help reduce arthritis pain. However, more studies need to be done to determine the effects of pineapple, not just bromelain, on arthritis.
With so many nutrients packed into this fruit, what are the sexual benefits of pineapple for males?
As we mentioned earlier, raw pineapple contains high levels of vitamin C, an antioxidant that strengthens your immune system and prevents inflammation.
What does inflammation have to do with improved sexual health? Reduced inflammation has been connected to improved blood flow in studies conducted on rats. Without healthy blood flow, sexual arousal and erectile function for penetrative sex are hard to obtain (no pun intended).
This is because of how erections work. While the mechanics are more detailed, one part of the process is that natural chemicals called neurotransmitters “tell” the blood vessels in your penis to relax, which increases the supply of blood to the erectile tissues inside your penis. The increased blood flow — as well as a higher blood pressure inside the penis — is what makes the penis firm and erect.
Therefore, vitamin C-rich foods like pineapple, which can fight inflammation, could help with erectile dysfunction.
Pineapple is an excellent source of manganese, which could improve the health of your sperm. Manganese was found to be beneficial in improving the motility (movement) of sperm, as well as the fertilization process.
One study of just over 1,100 men found that a small concentration of manganese supports good sperm motility.
Certain nutrients in pineapples could affect sex hormone production — namely testosterone, the primary sex hormone.
Bromelain, for example, is good not only for digestion and immunity but also for maintaining testosterone levels.
Zinc — another mineral found in pineapples in small amounts — has also been found to help balance testosterone levels.
First, you might be wondering if there’s a best (or at least, better) way to consume pineapple, or whether eating raw pineapple or drinking pineapple juice is the way to go.
Pineapple juice may be easier for many of us to buy, and it contains the same antioxidants, bromelain, potassium and manganese that raw pineapple does. But pineapple juice has a high sugar content, with 25 grams of sugar in one cup compared to 16 grams in one cup of pineapple fruit.
The sexual benefits of pineapple could still be explored more. Some research suggests that the various nutrients and antioxidants in pineapple might improve blood flow, which helps erectile dysfunction. They might also increase the movement of sperm and help boost testosterone levels. But there aren’t quite enough conclusive studies yet to say that pineapple will definitely have these benefits.
So while pineapple may help you sexually, if you're struggling with erectile dysfunction, lack of libido or other sexual dysfunction, talking to a healthcare provider is your best next step. They can help you find the right treatment for your particular needs.
The one thing we can say is eating a healthy diet can help with sexual health, as well as conditions like erectile dysfunction — and with all the nutritional benefits of this tropical fruit, adding pineapple to your diet certainly doesn’t hurt. Maybe next time you’re at the grocery store, you’ll be inspired to put pineapple in your shopping cart.
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Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.
She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.
Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.
Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.
Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.
Education & Training
Andrology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin
Urology Residency, University of California San Francisco
M.D. Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineB.S. in Radiologic Science, Chemistry Minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Published as Kelly Walker
Cowan, B, Walker, K., Rodgers, K., Agyemang, J. (2023). Hormonal Management Improves Semen Analysis Parameters in Men with Abnormal Concentration, Motility, and/or Morphology. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 118, Issue 5, e4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/fertility-and-sterility/vol/120/issue/1/suppl/S
Walker, K., Gogoj, A., Honig, S., Sandlow, J. (2021). What’s New in Male Contraception? AUA Update Series, Volume 40. https://auau.auanet.org/content/update-series-2021-lesson-27-what%E2%80%99s-new-male-contraception
Walker, K., Shindel, A. (2019). AUA Erectile Dysfunction Guideline. AUA Update Series, Volume 38. https://auau.auanet.org/content/course-307
Walker, K., Ramstein, J., & Smith, J. (2019). Regret Regarding Fertility Preservation Decisions Among Male Cancer Patients. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e680-e681. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556300.18991.8e
Walker, K., & Smith, J. (2019). Feasibility Study of Video Telehealth Clinic Visits in Urology. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e545-e545. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556071.60611.37