Olive Oil and Lemon Juice For ED: Is It Effective?

We've heard some pretty out-there “cures” for erectile dysfunction (ED) over the years, but olive oil and lemon juice is in a category of its own. Nevertheless, some modest scientific research suggests that this classic combination could offer more than just flavor. 

Both of these ingredients are good for your general health and well-being, and eating them as part of a healthy diet may help reduce your risk of developing medical conditions whose symptoms absolutely include erectile dysfunction. But before you start chugging your salad dressing, you should know their effects on your sexual capacity, testosterone levels, and risk of ED are indirect at best.

Below, we’ve shared some of the research and busted common myths about the effects of lemon juice and olive oil on your erections and sexual function. We’ve also shared some evidence-based treatments that don’t read like the recipe for a vinaigrette.

As of now, there isn't any high-quality scientific research to prove olive oil and lemon juice is effective for erectile dysfunction or better than FDA-approved ED medications like Viagra®.

However, lemon and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are mainstays in the Mediterranean diet, which is linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Since heart disease is a risk factor for ED, incorporating these ingredients into your diet may help your heart and reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction over time.

No, we’re sorry to say that olive oil and lemon juice aren’t nature’s Viagra. For anyone who read a headline like “Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Better Than Viagra and Cialis,” you can essentially disregard this information (and the people who wrote it) as uninformed. 

Olive oil and lemon juice are foods with health benefits we’ll get into in a moment, but they’re not really a medication designed to do anything. Viagra, meanwhile, is. It’s a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor — one of the prescription ED treatments specifically designed to increase blood flow to your penis. It’s powerful, effective, and safe if used correctly.

As for side effects of olive oil and lemon juice, there aren’t any unless you have a particular allergy (or aren’t a big fan of either one). Viagra, on the other hand, does come with a risk of side effects — mostly benign, but some serious ones, too.

That means no mixing olive oil and lemon Viagra shots for some superfood pregaming, guys. 

Olive oil and lemon juice aren't erectile supplements, but they both offer possible benefits as regular elements of your diet.

Olive Oil Benefits for Males

If you came here wondering, How fast does olive oil work for erectile dysfunction? The answer is not fast enough. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any health benefits of olive oil.

Olive oil is a healthy fat thanks to its high content of oleic acid. When used in a balanced diet, it may lower cholesterol levels and contribute to healthier blood vessels. Some research shows that monounsaturated fats like olive oil help with weight loss. Excess weight can increase the risk of many health conditions for men, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, low testosterone, and infertility.

Olive oil is also rich in polyphenols, natural compounds with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols have been shown to scavenge free radicals and protect your body from oxidative stress. This process can slow the progression of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases while amping up your immune system.

Are there olive oil benefits sexually? Not directly. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t incorporate it into your diet.

Benefits of Lemon for Males

Lemon juice, meanwhile, is the juice from everyone’s favorite yellow citrus fruit. It also holds anti-inflammatory properties through vitamin C and other antioxidants that support your body's detoxification.

Like other citrus fruits, fresh lemon juice contains important compounds like flavonoids and alkaloids that aid overall health. Along with reducing inflammation and fighting oxidative stress, these compounds may also protect your heart and brain.

So, where did the whole "olive oil and lemon juice for sex" thing come from? Look no further than the Mediterranean diet.

A Mediterranean diet is a significant commitment that includes olive oil and lemons (or lemon juice) that may help reduce your risk of developing heart disease and improve your overall well-being. 

Research is limited, but proponents believe a Mediterranean diet may help keep your blood vessels healthy and reduce men’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which is a major contributor to ED. Reducing your cardiovascular risk can improve your blood flow, which may support your erectile health. 

Here’s the data to support this reasonable theory:

• A study published in the European Heart Journal in 2021 found that men with hypertension experience improvements in erectile performance, levels of testosterone, and exercise tolerance when they stick to a Mediterranean diet.

• The Mediterranean diet is built around plant-based meals with moderate portions of lean meat, poultry, and seafood — not just olive oil. 

• It emphasizes avoiding or limiting your intake of eggs, butter, red meats, and sugar-rich foods. 

But there’s more to it than just cooking with olive oil and throwing lemon slices in your water. Related information: does drinking water help sexually?

Like with many nuanced and complicated science-related topics, study findings don’t always make for exciting headlines. So, this lemon olive oil Viagra alternative was exaggerated.

News outlets and tabloid blogs exaggerated the importance of the ingredients and shifted away  from things like, “It may help improve blood flow” to, “Does Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Work Like Viagra,” to “this stuff'll make you A SEX GOD.”

Some of these headlines:

• The Independent, a UK newspaper, published a story with the headline “Olive Oil ‘Better Than Viagra’ at Slashing Impotence” in August of 2018.

• A day later, the Huffington Post published an article with the headline “Olive Oil May Be Better Than Viagra At Improving Your Sex Life, Greek Scientists Say.”

• The Huffington Post story quotes a Medical Daily page that’s since been removed for failing to meet the outlet’s editorial standards.

These articles aren’t totally wrong, but how they present the evidence isn’t accurate. Some assessments of existing research tend to conclude that we have “large, strong and consistent” evidence that eating a Mediterranean diet is associated with better cardiovascular health outcomes. 

But for those of you hoping to learn all the olive oil and lemon benefits sexually, this isn’t the salad dressing you’re looking for. 

Unlike the average American diet, the Mediterranean diet can indeed reduce a person’s risk of developing heart disease, but there isn’t any evidence that olive oil is “better than Viagra” as a treatment for ED.

Instead of drinking olive oil and lemon juice to deal with ED, you’ll get the best results for better erectile function by sticking to evidence-based, proven treatments, including medications, lifestyle changes, and, sure, a balanced diet. 

Currently, the FDA has approved several oral medications for erectile dysfunction, all of which belong to a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors. These medications include:

• Sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in Viagra

• Tadalafil, which is the active ingredient in Cialis®

• Vardenafil, which is the active ingredient in Levitra®

• Avanafil, which is currently available as Stendra®

PDE5 inhibitors work by increasing blood flow to the erectile tissues inside your penis, making it easier to get and stay hard when you’re sexually aroused. ED medications can be taken at least 15 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex (depending on the specific med), making them easy to use as needed.

You can also try making simple changes to your habits and lifestyle, which can also reduce your risk of experiencing long-term erectile dysfunction. Try to: 

• Quit smoking. Smoking can contribute to heart disease, which is a major risk factor for and one of the potential causes of erectile dysfunction.

• Stay physically active. Even if it’s just a walk around your neighborhood, getting at least 30 minutes of regular physical activity a day can improve your heart health and blood flow, regulate blood pressure, and improve your general quality of life.

• Eat a healthy diet. The Mediterranean diet is linked to improved cholesterol, heart health, and erections, but you can see benefits from any diet that prioritizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats over salt and saturated fats.

• Limit your alcohol consumption. Excess alcohol use is associated with ED (both in the long term and in the short term, which you may hear referred to as “whiskey dick”) and premature ejaculation (PE), so drink in moderation or avoid drinking alcohol entirely.

• Avoid recreational drugs. Many recreational drugs can reduce arousal and sensation, so put them down when you try to get it up (and if you think you have a substance use disorder, let your primary care provider know).

So, is the answer to your erection problems a little light-dressing? Nope. That’s not how it works. 

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is one of the most common forms of male sexual dysfunction, affecting an estimated 30 million men in the United States alone. Treating it is a popular problem that’s far outside the scope of your favorite Greek restaurant.

It will take more than olive oil and lemon to treat ED. What you need to remember is:

• Eating a healthy diet may lower your risk of ED. A healthy diet including olive oil, fresh vegetables, and lean protein sources may provide real, measurable benefits for your cardiovascular and sexual health. 

• The combination of olive oil and lemon isn’t a quick fix. Over the long term, a healthy diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants could contribute to better circulatory health and a reduced risk of heart disease and/or ED.  

• The theory that drinking a mix of olive oil and lemon juice improves ED as well as Viagra is inaccurate. If you’re hoping this tasty combo can stop erectile dysfunction, you should know it isn’t supported by any real evidence. The Mediterranean diet does not improve blood flow to the penis like prescription ED medications.

• Stick with proven methods. If you have ED, you’ll get the best results by sticking to proven erectile dysfunction treatments such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and Stendra. Or, you can try Hard Mints by Hims, which are chewable (and tasty!) ED meds that contain the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis in varying dosages.

Interested in learning more before you start? Our complete guide to the most common erectile dysfunction treatments and drugs goes into more detail about how these medications work, as well as the steps that you can take to deal with ED for good. 

Oh, and have that lightly dressed salad anyway — it can’t hurt. Depending on your recipe, you might want to know the facts about some other ingredients, like whether honey makes you last longer?

If you’re ready to get started and tackle ED with FDA-approved, science-backed solutions, schedule a call with a healthcare provider today to learn about your options.