Science

Extremely Reassuring New Study Says Coffee Could Help Prevent Erectile Dysfunction

They seem perky.
They seem perky. Photo: Seattle Times/JR Partners/Getty Images

Scientists have found yet another reason coffee drinkers can keep their heads held high (so to speak): A new study says it could aid in warding off erectile dysfunction. Writing in the journal Plos One, researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center found that guys who have between two and three cups a day (or 170 to 375 milligrams, in terms of pure caffeine intake) are almost half as likely to report, um, “difficulty” as gentlemen who drink lesser amounts of caffeine.

Why might this be? Grub will defer to the official explanation from the research team: “Caffeine triggers a series of pharmacological effects that lead to the relaxation of the penile helicine arteries, and the cavernous smooth muscle that lines cavernosal spaces, thus increasing penile blood flow.”

So, you know, this is just some good news to think about next time you’re standing in line at Starbucks. It also adds some really interesting new subtext to pretty much any stock photo of people drinking coffee:

They seem
They seem Photo: Getty
Okay then.
Okay then. Photo: Getty
Just a totally normal morning for this fellow.
Just a totally normal morning for this fellow. Photo: Getty
He is very pleased.
He is very pleased. Photo: Getty
This guy gets it.
This guy gets it. Photo: Getty

[PLOS ONE]

Extremely Reassuring New Study Says Coffee Could Help Prevent Erectile