Viagra is one of the most well-known ED drugs and has safety advantages.
However, Viagra is also a drug that is easily affected by food, and if the timing of taking the drug and eating is incorrect, the drug may not have the desired effect.
This article therefore details how to eat to maximize the effects of Viagra, as well as examples of foods to watch out for.
Is Viagra affected by diet?
Not only Viagra, but other drugs may not be fully effective if taken at the wrong time.
Particular attention should be paid to the influence of diet.
Conclusion: Viagra is affected by diet.
In conclusion, Viagra is a diet-sensitive drug.
When Viagra is prescribed, your doctor or pharmacist will instruct you to take it on an empty stomach.
However, if Viagra is taken without following this rule, it may take longer to take effect or may not be fully effective due to the effects of food.
In a study conducted by a pharmaceutical company, when Viagra was taken after a meal, it took 1.8 hours longer for the drug to reach higher blood levels than when taken on an empty stomach.
Therefore, it is important to take Viagra at the right time, following the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist.
Why are we affected by diet?
So why is Viagra so susceptible to the effects of diet? It has a lot to do with the way Viagra is absorbed in the body.
The ingredients in Viagra are absorbed in the intestines and then travel through the body by the bloodstream to exert their effects.
However, if oil adheres to the surface of the intestinal mucosa, it forms a film that inhibits the absorption of the active ingredients.
In particular, it is important to take the drug on an empty stomach after a meal to promote efficient absorption of the active ingredients, as the oils contained in the food remain in the intestines.
See also: [Doctor's Supervision] What foods help improve erectile dysfunction?
Is it OK to eat after taking Viagra?
When you hear that Viagra is sensitive to food, you may wonder whether you can eat immediately after taking the drug.
We will therefore introduce the ideal interval between doses and meals, as well as a menu of meals to keep in mind.
Time from dose to meal
Viagra should be taken on an empty stomach, but if taken before a meal, one hour before the meal is said to be ideal.
This is because it takes a certain amount of time for the components of the drug to be absorbed in the intestines, and taking Viagra at approximately the same time as a meal may inhibit absorption.
If taken after a meal, there should be at least a 2-hour interval between meals.
Ideal diet when taking Viagra
To maximize the effects of Viagra, consideration should be given not only to the timing of meals, but also to the content of the meal.
A light menu consisting mainly of Japanese food is ideal because it is low in fat and is expected to enhance absorption in the intestines.
[An example of an ideal menu
- boiled greens in bonito-flavoured soy sauce (vegetable side dish)
- Udon and Soba
- sashimi (raw sliced fish, shellfish or crustaceans)
- cold tofu
- boiled egg
- Natto etc.
What diet can weaken the effects of Viagra?
Contrary to the above, menu items that weaken the effects of Viagra include the following
High-fatty foods
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, fats and oils in food create a film in the intestines that inhibits the absorption of Viagra.
In addition, since fatty foods take a long time to digest and in many cases remain undigested in the intestines several hours after a meal, it is advisable to avoid the following high-fat menus.
[An example of a high-fat food
- ramen
- fried (e.g. potatoes, chicken)
- Hamburg steak
- Japanese dish of grilled meat similar to Korean barbecue
- Dumplings, etc.
Foods high in fiber
In terms of digestion time, one should pay attention to high-fiber foods as well as high-fat foods.
Fiber is known to improve bowel movements because it reaches the intestines and takes longer to digest.
Therefore, the ingestion of foods rich in fiber, such as the following, may interfere with the absorption of Viagra even after several hours have elapsed
[An example of a food high in fiber
- solidified jelly made from the rhizome of devil's tongue (konnyaku)
- mushrooms
- monk's quarters
- hijiki (dark edible seaweed usu. sold in dried black strips, usu. dried black)
- brown rice
- sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)
- Wakame seaweed, etc.
Foods that should be used with caution in combination with Viagra
When taking Viagra, some food and drink combinations can pose a risk of serious side effects.
Here are some foods to pay special attention to.
Grapefruit and related foods
Grapefruit is often cited as a food that can be dangerous in combination with drugs, not just Viagra.
After taking a drug, our bodies produce enzymes that break down the drug's components and expel them from the body, but an ingredient in grapefruit called furanocoumarin has the property of weakening this process.
This results in stronger-than-normal effects and increases the risk of side effects such as heart palpitations, headaches, and hot flashes.
Grapefruit pulp, as well as juice and other processed products, should not be used with Viagra.
Flanocoumarin remains in the body for some time after ingestion and should be spaced at least 2 days before and after taking Viagra.
Foods containing furanocoumarins
Grapefruit is a classic food that contains furanocoumarin, but it is actually found in many other foods.
For example, note that it is found in citrus fruits such as summer oranges, hassaku (Hassaku), kumquat, and limes, as well as figs and pomegranates.
On the other hand, the same citrus fruits, such as Onshu mandarins and kabosu, do not contain furanocoumarins, and the risk of interaction is low.
[Foods containing furanocoumarin
- grapefruit
- Chinese citron (Citrus natsudaidai)
- Hassaku
- kumquat (Fortunella spp.)
- lime
- Orange (die-die)
- BANBAI Yuzu
- sweetie (sweet green-skinned citrus; cross between a grapefruit and a pomelo)
- fig tree
- Pomegranate, etc.
alcohol
Alcohol poses little risk of causing side effects when combined with Viagra, but the possibility that it may affect the way the effects manifest themselves cannot be ruled out.
Have you ever experienced what is known as "mid-life breakdown," a loss of erection when you have had too much to drink? This occurs when alcohol paralyzes the central nervous system of the brain, making it difficult to feel sexual arousal and reducing blood flow to the penis.
If erectile strength is impaired by excessive alcohol consumption, it is difficult to feel the full effect of Viagra, even if you are taking it.
Devices other than food to increase the effectiveness of Viagra
In addition to diet, there are several other things to keep in mind in order to enhance the effects of Viagra.
Be careful when to take it.
Viagra is a fast-acting drug, and its effects begin to appear about 30 minutes after it is taken. However, the effect lasts only 3 to 5 hours, and it is not something that can be kept for a long time.
Therefore, the best time to take it is 30-60 minutes before sexual activity. Conversely, taking it more than 4 hours before may not be effective.
Review lifestyle habits
Extreme inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and lack of sleep can also cause erectile dysfunction.
By reviewing these lifestyle habits, erectile strength and persistence can be gradually restored, and if Viagra is used in combination, an even higher effect can be expected.
Try multiple times even if you don't get the effect the first time
The way Viagra works varies from person to person and can be affected by one's physical and mental condition on a given day.
Especially for those taking Viagra for the first time, there may be various anxieties and conflicts, and the effects may not be as expected.
However, it is possible to realize the benefits of trying it more than once, rather than just trying it once.
See also: What are the effects of Levitra? Comparison chart with other ED drugs!
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summary
Viagra is known as a standard ED treatment and has proven to be safe. However, depending on the timing of taking it with meals and foods, it may not be fully effective or may take a long time to take effect.
In addition, some foods increase the risk of side effects, so care must be taken with grapefruit and other citrus fruits.
If you are suffering from ED and considering taking Viagra, please feel free to contact Men's Pride Clinic MITA TOKYO, which also offers online medical services.