Pomegranates may help erectile dysfunction

LOS ANGELES, July 5 (UPI) -- Pomegranate juice may help counter erectile dysfunction, according to findings by the University of Southern California.

Dr. Harin Padma-Nathan, of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover pilot study to examine the efficacy of pomegranate juice versus placebo in improving erections in 61 male subjects.

For the first four weeks of the study, the subjects were assigned to drink either 8 oz. of pomegranate juice or 8 oz. of placebo beverage daily, with their evening meal or shortly after. After a two-week washout period during which the subjects did not consume any study beverage nor utilize any ED treatment, they were assigned to drink 8 oz. of the opposite study beverage every evening for another four weeks.

Forty-seven percent of the subjects reported that their erections improved after drinking the pomegranate juice, while 32 percent reported improved erections with the placebo.

The study authors say that additional studies with more patients and longer treatment periods may reach statistical significance.

The findings are reported in the International Journal of Impotence Research.