Coffee may be nature's Viagra, according to science

(Image credit: (iStock))

published 22 May 2015

Good news, dudes: You may be able to stave off impotence with an extra cup of Joe, according to a new study. Men who consume more caffeine — the sweet spot seemed to be two to three cups of coffee a day — had a lower risk of erectile dysfunction compared to men who consume little to no caffeine per day.

If you're not a big coffee drinker, the caffeine used in the study included tea, soda and sports drinks as well. Researchers believe caffeine relaxes certain arteries and muscles in the penis, which improves blood flow and the ability to have an erection.

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Lauren Hansen produces The Weekâ€™s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.