Navigate Your Diet: Foods to Avoid When Taking Viagra

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Doctors frequently prescribe Viagra for treating Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

Viagra contains the primary ingredient, Sildenafil, which is a PDE5 inhibitor. 

It works by improving blood flow to the penis. Thus, helping males in getting or maintaining an erection. 

Although Viagra is an effective medicine, it can interact with specific foods and drinks.

So, this article will list all the foods to avoid when taking Viagra (Sildenafil). 

Also, we will elaborate on the reasons for avoiding those foods with Viagra.

Viagra and food interaction

When you take Viagra orally, it enters the bloodstream through the digestive tract. 

The presence of certain foods or drinks in the digestive tract can reduce the absorption of Viagra. 

This leads to delayed onset of action and reduced effectiveness of Viagra. 

Also, some foods or drinks may interact with Viagra, resulting in negative effects.

To delve into a comprehensive analysis of Viagra (Sildenafil) interactions, consider reading this article– Interactions of Sildenafil: Drugs, Food, and Disease

Which drinks and foods to avoid when taking Viagra

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Several foods and drinks interact with Viagra. 

These include high-fat meals, grapefruit juice, alcohol, etc.

Here we discuss all of them in detail.

High-fat meals

You can take Viagra (Sildenafil) with or without food. 

But it is not recommended to take it with high-fat meals. 

This is because the fats in the food can slow down the absorption of Viagra into the bloodstream by 1 hour. 

Normally, Sildenafil takes 30-60 minutes to get absorbed and processed by your body.

But due to fatty food, this absorption process gets delayed. 

As a result, Viagra takes longer to become fully effective. This delays the onset of action of Viagra, making it take longer to start working.

Also, a high-fat meal reduces the highest concentration of Viagra in the blood by 29%. 

This makes the drug less effective. 

So, you should avoid high-fat meals that include: 

• Cheese
• Fatty meats
• Bacon
• Fried food
• Heavy cream
• Butter

Eager to know the working mechanism of Viagra? Check out this article– Science Behind the Magic Pill: How Does Viagra Work

Grapefruit

Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can interact with Viagra and cause negative effects.

Grapefruit blocks the action of intestinal enzymes called CYP3A4. These enzymes help to metabolize (break down) Viagra. 

When this enzyme is blocked by grapefruit, no metabolization takes place.

As a result, more Viagra can enter the blood and stay in the body for longer.

This leads to extra drug concentration in the blood.

Thus, increasing the risk of side effects like headaches, flushing, or low blood pressure.

Moreover, grapefruit or its juice tend to delay the absorption of Viagra (Sildenafil). 

So, it is not advisable to take grapefruit with Viagra.

Alcohol

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Moderate drinking does not affect Viagra (Sildenafil).

But excessive alcohol consumption may increase the risk of negative effects. 

Firstly, alcohol consumption can exacerbate potential side effects of Viagra, which include:

• Heart Palpitations
• Flushing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heart Palpitations
• Dizziness and Lightheadedness
• Headaches

Secondly, excessive alcohol consumption makes Viagra less effective. It reduces testosterone levels in the body. 

Testosterones are essential to produce Nitric Oxide, which is needed for Viagra to work. 

Low testosterone levels prevent the body from producing enough Nitric Oxide. 

Thus, reducing the effectiveness of Viagra (Sildenafil).

For an in-depth exploration of this topic, refer to this article– Mixing Viagra and Alcohol: A Risky Affair

Nitrates rich food

Nitrates-rich foods contain a good amount of nitrates which can interact with Viagra. This can cause a life-threatening condition. 

This is because both Viagra and Nitrates are known for lowering blood pressure. 

So, Viagra with foods containing Nitrates can cause a sharp drop in blood pressure.

Foods that contain nitrates are:

• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Bok choy 

So, it is advisable not to take Viagra with foods that contain nitrates.

Curious to know how Viagra affects your blood pressure? Have a look at this article– Does Viagra Raise Blood Pressure: A Concerning Topic

Final words on foods to avoid when taking Viagra

If you have Erectile Dysfunction, your doctor might recommend using Viagra.

The doctor prescribes a specific dosage for Viagra. He/she may suggest how and when to take medicine. 

You must adhere to those suggestions, as Viagra can interact even with food. This can cause or exacerbate negative effects. These foods and drinks include fatty meals, alcohol, grapefruit, and Nitrates-rich food. 

Thus, taking Viagra as per the doctor’s recommendations is essential.

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