Although there are several causes of erectile dysfunction this condition is commonly associated with chronic diseases such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, heart disease and others. Free radical damage and oxidative stress are pathological processes that underlie most degenerative diseases. They are also largely responsible for the erectile dysfunction associated with these conditions.

Initiating and sustaining an erection depends on a number of physiological process; the most important of these being an adequate blood flow to the corpus cavernosum (the principal erectile tissue in the penis). This in turn depends on normal functioning blood vessels that supply blood to the penis and its erectile tissue.

An erection cannot be achieved without the action of nitric oxide on the blood vessels of the penis and its spongy corpus cavernosum. The erectile process is initiated by the nervous system - either through a spinal reflex (when there is direct stimulus to the penis) or by way of nerve signals from the brain. The relevant nerves, when stimulated via either pathway, release nitric oxide from their nerve endings in the penis.

However, the maintenance of an erection depends on nitric oxide that is released from the endothelial lining of the penile blood vessels. If the blood vessels malfunction as a result of disease processes such as heart disease and diabetes the individual concerned will not be able to achieve or sustain an erection.

Endothelial function is curtailed when free radical damage and oxidative stress occurs - as it always does in these chronic conditions.

Recent studies have found that antioxidants can reverse endothelial malfunction thereby improving blood flow to the penis. They do this by neutralizing the free radicals responsible for oxidative stress and endothelial damage in the relevant blood vessels.

Researchers have shown that antioxidant supplements can improve erectile function by 35% in the presence of poor endothelial function due to diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Sildenefil (Viagra) improves erectile function by 45% in these conditions while a combination of sildenefil PLUS antioxidants acts synergistically to enhance penile blood flow by 50%.

As antioxidants are crucial in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, it is not surprising that they help associated conditions such as erectile dysfunction too.

The evidence is clear that antioxidants play a vital role in the treatment of most forms of erectile dysfunction. When it comes to naturally occurring foods in the diet spices have the highest antioxidant activity of all food groups including fruit and vegetables (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition July 2006 and US Department of Agriculture 2007).

It goes without saying that if you supplement your diet with spices not only will your general health improve but your sex life will be given a massive boost too!

"At present, recommendations are warranted to support the consumption of foods rich in bioactive components, such as herbs and spices. With time, we can expect to see a greater body of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of herbs and spices in the overall maintenance of health and protection from disease." Prof. Linda Tapsell, National Centre of Excellence in Functional Foods, University of Wollongong, Australia