Oats Benefits for Male Sexual Health (Including Oatmeal)

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Oats and oatmeal are recognized for having many health benefits. Tasty and versatile, oat is unquestionably a healthy food for everyone but oats have some serious benefits when it comes to men’s sexual performance. Let’s explore oats benefits for male sexual health as well as overall health.

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Table of Contents

What are the sex benefits of oatmeal for men?

Oatmeal is sometimes called a natural viagra. This may surprise skeptics since oatmeal isn’t exactly a sexy food and probably won’t seduce anyone. But it’s packed with nutrition for heart health and overall health. And some of the nutrients in its amazing nutrition profile are specifically linked with treating erectile dysfunction.

Let’s break down the nutrition in oats and take a closer look at how they may help men on the road to a fulfilling sex life.

According to My Food Data, a cup of regular oatmeal made with water offers:

166 calories
5.9g protein
4g fiber
12%DV for iron
15%DV for magnesium
21%DV for zinc
59%DV for manganese
23%DV for selenium

Additional nutrients in oatmeal linked with men’s sexual health include niacin, folate, potassium and vitamin E.

Oats for a bigger O

Have you heard the expression “Oats for a bigger O?” It’s true! And it’s all because of an amino acid in oats linked with achieving a great orgasm. It’s called L-arginine, sometimes referred to simply as arginine, and it is linked with relaxing blood vessels. (Other good sources of L-arginine include turkey, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and caviar.)

It can help increase blood flow, which is key for sexual arousal and climax–and this is where oatmeal’s link with erectile dysfunction comes in. L-arginine supplementation is sometimes used to help treat men with erectile dysfunction. But you can get this amino acid naturally just by eating oats.

Minerals for libido and performance

As you can see from the list of nutrients above, oats offer significant sexual nutrition for men. Among its impressive nutritional profile, it’s a powerful source of manganese. According to Nature’s Aphrodisiacs, manganese can help to improve sex drive and sexual function. A lack of manganese is even linked with a lack of semen. Here’s some additional information on manganese and your sexual health.

Another nutrient worth highlighting when it comes to oats and sex, oats are a source of zinc, a nutrient linked with maintaining testosterone levels. Oatmeal is also a source of magnesium, a mineral linked with healthy blood flow, which is key to both performance and sexual satisfaction.

Plant-based protein for energy

A serving of oats can provide around 10% of the daily protein requirement for the average man. The less processed the oats, the more protein they will contain. So make your oatmeal with whole, rolled oats or steel-cut oats and skip the quick-cooking stuff.

You get that oats will give men the protein they need for overall health but what’s the significance to your sex life? It’s simple. Protein is key for energy and you need energy for sexual health and performance. But that’s not the only benefit of oats when it comes to sexual health.

General health benefits of oats for men

But oats aren’t just good for helping support men’s sexual health. There are a whole lot more oat benefits for men. The regular consumption of oats or oatmeal is linked with the reduction of bad cholesterol. Oats are low glycemic, which means they may help regulate blood sugar levels. And they may even be effective in reducing blood sugar levels in men with type 2 diabetes.

There is also some research indicating that oats could be beneficial to weight loss by keeping you feeling full longer and less tempted to snack. When it comes to men’s health, what’s not to love about this whole grain?

Why oats and oatmeal are considered an aphrodisiac

How can you incorporate more oats into your diet?

Oatmeal is a classic breakfast food but breakfast isn’t the only time to eat oats. Oats play a starring role in one of the world’s most popular cookies. And they can be used in savory dishes. Try them as a substitute for bread crumbs in a meatloaf (or meatless loaf). Or pulse them in a food processor or blender until they’re coarsely ground and use them to crust meat in place of breading.

Oats can play a central role in all sorts of desserts beyond oatmeal cookies. Ground into flour, they can add flavor and texture to chocolate chip cookies and pie crusts. Whole oats are easily incorporated into the topping for crisps and crumbles.

And if you like classic oatmeal, don’t just save it for breakfast. Oatmeal is a great choice for late-night snacking because it’s a nourishing food that will help you feel full all night long.

Recipes

Six-Spice Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Fiori di Sicilia
Chipotle Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies
Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Raspberry Cacao Oat Breakfast Bowl

10 Best Foods For Men
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Edited by Delahna Flagg: This article was reviewed and additional research provided by Center for Mind-Body Medicine certified practitioner and Eat Something Sexy Nutrition Director Delahna Flagg.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It should not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here are not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional. More information

Featured image by Lisa Fotios from Pexels, photo in graphic by Micheile Henderson

This article was written in 2015 and most recently updated in February 2024.

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Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach awarded by the International Sports Sciences Association and she is a California Certified Massage Therapist.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.