Carrots are often called a superfood, and they do indeed have many health benefits, including supporting vision. However, scientists have recently discovered that this root vegetable may harm men’s health. A new study conducted in China showed that excessive carrot consumption increases the risk of erectile dysfunction by nearly 60%.
Researchers from Peking University examined epigenetic changes in men’s DNA and found a direct link between high carotene levels and reduced potency. Carotenoids, organic compounds that transform into vitamin A, are considered powerful antioxidants. But when consumed in excessive amounts, they can damage the vascular endothelium — the layer of cells responsible for releasing nitric oxide, which is crucial for blood flow into the penis.
The exact mechanism of how carotenoids affect erections remains unclear. In their study, published in the Archives of Medical Science, the authors emphasize that further experiments are needed to clarify the details.
It is important to note that carotenoids are found not only in carrots but also in other orange vegetables such as pumpkin and sweet potatoes, as well as in fruits like apricots and mangoes. Until now, specialists had not observed a link between carotenoids and erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is fairly common — in the UK, one in five men is affected by the problem. Known risk factors include type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and a number of other conditions. Now, certain foods have also been added to that list.
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