Surprising fruit can boost men's sex lives by reversing erectile dysfunction and improving fertility
Scientists say the fruit is packed with antioxidants that help to reverse
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Scientist say that watermelon can help to reverse erectile dysfunction and improve fertility
Credit: PA
It made it on to a shortlist of foods considered
It is well known that eating healthily and staying slim are one of the best ways to
Study author Haitham Al-Madhagi said the vitamins and amino acids in melons help to clear out damaging molecules and improve blood flow to the gonads.
Writing in the journal Current Research in Food Science, he said: 'Watermelon enhances male fertility as it is reported to improve semen quality, reverse erectile dysfunction and enhance the testicular environment.
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'It contains vitamins, phenols and certain flavonoids that contribute to its antioxidant properties.
'To add, watermelon is a rich source of the amino acid citrulline which increases the blood flow to the testes.'
He said the fruit boosts production of nitric oxide to relax blood vessels, which is the same way that Viagra works.
More than half of fellas experience erectile dysfunction in middle age though it is usually short-lived.
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Bionic willies on the rise as more than 500 men with severe erectile dysfunction have £8,000 NHS operation
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More than half of fellas experience erectile dysfunction in middle age
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What is erectile dysfunction?
ERECTILE dysfunction - also known as impotence - is very common, especially in men over 40.
Erectile dysfunction is when you are either:
Unable to get an erection
Unable to keep an erection for long enough to have sex
Depending on the cause, you may still be able to get an erection at other times, such as when you wake up.
Sometimes you might also have low sex drive.
It's not usually the sign of something serious but you should speak to a GP about it, especially if it's causing you distress.
Possible causes include stress, tiredness, having too much booze, as well as some medicines.
But if your ED is persistent, it might be caused by:
High blood pressure or high cholesterol
Diabetes
Depression or anxiety
Hormone problems
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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Your ultimate guide to beat the Mounjaro price hike – from switching jabs to getting them FREE on the NHS
From the differences between Mounjaro and Wegovy to cheating the postcode lottery, we reveal everything you need to know... as well as common jab mistakes stopping you losing weight JABS UP Your ultimate guide to beat the Mounjaro price hike – from switching jabs to getting them FREE on the NHS THE price of Mounjaro is set to soar, The Sun revealed yesterday - leaving slimmers desperate and worried at how they will afford the 'life-changing' drug. With the price hike looming on September 1, we reveal how to dodge the spiralling bills, getting your jabs for cheaper - or even free on the NHS - as well as the different side effects to be wary of. Advertisement 2 Eli Lilly has increased its prices of Mounjaro in the UK Credit: Getty The NHS has been giving Mounjaro prescriptions within GP practices since June. Private pharmacies boast 'no GP referral needed', with tantalising prices drawing in an estimated one million paying customers. Costs vary depending on the provider, jab and dosage, but are currently between around £120 and £220 per month. But that's all set to change, as the US-based maker of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly, told The Sun it will be increasing charges in Britain to 'address inconsistencies' with prices it commands from other western countries. Advertisement The price the pharma giant charges pharmacies for a mid-range 5mg dose will nearly double from £92 to £180 from September 1. The maximum available dose, 15mg, will rise from £122 to £330. Eli Lilly claimed to have negotiated with big private suppliers to ensure the whole price increase is not passed on to patients - but with pharmacies already marking up jab prices, the public can expect to see the cost increase. It marks a huge blow for those for whom the jab offers a life-saving way out of obesity. The hefty price would affect those currently on the jabs, as well as those who had hoped to pay for them long-term to avoid weight regain. Toby Nicol, CEO at CheqUp, which has around 50,000 customers on weight loss jabs, said: 'This news will be disappointing for those who have achieved life-changing results with Mounjaro. Advertisement 'This is particularly the case for those on higher doses who will likely see substantial rises in price." Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons Mounjaro has been dubbed the 'King Kong' of fat jabs because its success tops other brands, including Wegovy (also called Ozempic for type 2 diabetes), and Saxenda. Now, with people considering switching to Wegvoy, some providers appear to have hiked prices of the alternative jab that's similar to Ozempic, in response to the update. Mr Nicol, who says they have reduced the price of Wegovy on CheqUp, says: "Wegovy is a brilliant drug and that's why we don't want anyone to be priced out and think they have to take something which is unsafe. "Do not buy from the cowboys. If the price is to good to be true, it probably is." Advertisement There is no direct dose equivalent, so swapping between drugs is not possible Dr Suhail Hussain Dr Ralph Abraham, a diabetes and endocrinology specialist verified on Doctify, a healthcare review platform, says: 'There is no problem in switching from one drug to another. 'But in a world where the drugs are often not prescribed by experienced doctors, it then becomes difficult to know where side effects might lie.' Here, we answer the worries of readers and address how this could influence weight loss jabs and their success. CAN I SWITCH TO WEGOVY? IT depends who you ask. Mr Nicol says: "It's clinically acceptable to go from Mounjaro to Wegovy. We are developing our own switching plan. Advertisement 'While Mounjaro remains the most effective treatment available, Wegovy is a more affordable option and is also clinically proven as a highly effective weight loss drug that has delivered incredible results for people who are on a weight loss journey. 'We are ready and able to provide advice to those who are looking to switch.' But Dr Suhail Hussain, a private GP verified on Doctify, believes this is likely to affect weight loss. 'There is no direct dose equivalent, so swapping between drugs is not possible,' he says. Wegovy is prescribed between 0.25mg and 2.4mg, while Mounjaro has doses between 2.5mg and 15mg. Advertisement Dr Hussain said: 'The weight loss drugs are generally started at the lowest dose and titrated up. 'So if you were on mid-strength Mounjaro you would have to go onto the lowest strength Wegovy. 'There may also need to be a 'wash out' period to wean off one on to the other - which will again have impact on results." But Mr Nicol says: "It doesn't feel right to do that, it's like a game of snakes and ladders. "We'd be saying to people, for example, on 7.5mg of Mounjaro, that they shuold be transferring over to 1.7mg of Wegovy." Advertisement Patients should receive clinically appropriate care, under supervision, that aligns with their individual health needs and personal circumstances, experts said. WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SWITCHING TO WEGOVY? A USER would also need to adjust to the side effects of a new medicine. While these are relatively the same for either jab, there are slight differences. 'Mounjaro tends to be better tolerated in terms of GI side effects than Weygovy, so you may experience more nausea or vomiting etc,' says Dr Hussain. The 'very common' side effects of both Mounjaro and Wegovy are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation, according to Asda Online Doctor. Advertisement But Wegovy also says headache, stomach pain and feeling weak or tired are very common. WILL I LOSE AS MUCH WEIGHT ON WEGOVY? THE active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, while in Mounjaro it is tirzepatide. Both work in a very similar way on the body. 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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Woman, 37, ‘drowning in her own body' at 18st shed 5st with weight loss jabs and says ‘it isn't cheating, it's survival'
Find out more about who's eligible for weight loss jabs on the NHS below WEIGH TO GO Woman, 37, 'drowning in her own body' at 18st shed 5st with weight loss jabs and says 'it isn't cheating, it's survival' FOR years, Emma Morris hid from cameras, avoided mirrors and felt like a prisoner in her own body because of her weight. But now five stone lighter and brimming with self-confidence, Emma is the face of a new kind of weight loss. Advertisement 5 Emma Morris would always hide from cameras and mirrors because of her weight Credit: Cover Images 5 But after a nurse recommended she try Zepbound to lose weight, she now feels like she's living again Credit: Cover Images The 37-year-old mum credits her transformation to powerful new tool Zepbound, known as Mounjaro in the UK - a GLP-1 medication designed to help regulate the biology behing weight gain. And while some critics call it "the easy way out", Emma isn't having any of it. "This isn't cheating, it's survival," the dental hygienist based in the US said. "And for the first time in years, I finally feel like I'm living again." Advertisement Read more on fat jabs NO WEIGH I cried every day over my looks until I lost 7st without fat jabs just by talking Living in Winder, Georgia, with her husband Stephen and daughters AvaGrace, 11, and Eliza Anne, 7, Emma's life on the outside looked picture perfect. But inside she was crumbling. She weighed 18.5 stone at her heaviest, had no energy, her joints ached, and was "just surviving each day." "I had tried everything, clean eating, working out, you name it. But my body just wouldn't cooperate," said Emma. Advertisement She was also battling a string of health issues. 'I struggled with PCOS, inflammation, borderline high blood pressure, and extreme fatigue,' Emma said. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons 'I went to doctor after doctor, and no one had answers. I was drowning in my own body.' It wasn't until a routine appointment with a nurse practitioner that everything changed. Advertisement 'She looked at me and said, 'If we can get some of this weight off, you'll feel better'. That moment felt like someone had finally heard me.' 'I've gained my life back' Emma was prescribed Zepbound and within just a few weeks, Emma felt the shift, physically and emotionally. 'The inflammation started to go down. I could walk upstairs without pain,' she said. 'And that constant obsession with food, what I was eating, when I'd eat again, just stopped.' Advertisement What followed was a steady weight loss and a dramatic change in mindset. 'I've lost five stone, but I've gained my life back,' she said. 'I used to define success by a number on the scale. Now it's about playing with my kids, enjoying dinner with my family, and loving the woman I see in the mirror.' Zepbound didn't 'do it for me'. It gave me a chance to actually fight back Emma Morris Emma is quick to shut down those who claim medication is a shortcut. Advertisement 'For years I blamed myself, thinking I was weak or lazy,' she said. 'But obesity is a disease, it's hormonal, metabolic, and neurological. Zepbound didn't 'do it for me'. It gave me a chance to actually fight back.' She compares the treatment to managing any chronic condition. She said: 'If I had diabetes, I'd take insulin. If I had high blood pressure, I'd take medication. This is no different.' Advertisement These days, Emma tracks her progress through more than just numbers. 'I journal my mental health, my energy levels, how my clothes fit,' she said. 'I take monthly progress pictures because sometimes the scale doesn't reflect what's really changing.' She's also built healthy habits that support her transformation, including walking daily, staying hydrated and prioritising protein. 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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Lydia Bright slammed for ‘parent-shaming' as she shares medical advice online
TOWIE alum Lydia Bright has been called out for "parent shaming" after sharing medical advice online. The reality TV star, 34, came under fire following her latest Instagram post, which documented a day in her life as a busy mum. Advertisement 6 TOWIE alum Lydia Bright has been called out for 'parent shaming' Credit: Splash 6 It came after she shared medical advice online Credit: PA 6 Lydia linked the rise in ADHD diagnoses to an increased use of screen time Credit: Instagram It showed Lydia playing with her five year old daughter Loretta and cooking together while calling out the increased use of screen time among kids. The former TOWIE fan favourite admitted she was "far from the perfect parent" yet hailed the "routines" she sticks to with Loretta to keep her away from tablets, including "books before bed." Lydia partnered with organisation Health Pros for Safer Screens for her video, yet some fans took issue with one claim in which she linked increased screen time to a "27 per cent rise children struggling with speech and language." She added: "ADHD diagnoses have soared by 56 per cent and one in four 10 year olds are now living with obesity." Advertisement Fans weren't impressed with the link to ADHD, which is a common condition that affects people's behaviour. The disorder, which is often diagnosed in childhood, often sparks symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. The ADHD Foundation reveals that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common childhood conditions. One angry follower was quick to comment on Lydia's post and wrote: "Screens don't cause ADHD. The ADHD is already there, so tired of this false narrative just so you can post an ad. Inaccurate and offensive." 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These conditions come under the umbrella term of neurodiversity. Neurodiversity is a term that refers to the natural variation in how human brains work. It is rooted in the idea that neurological differences, such as those associated with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette's syndrome, and other conditions, are a normal and valuable part of human diversity rather than deficits or disorders that need fixing. Rather, society should find ways to be more inclusive and accommodating, such as in schools and the workplace. Here's a closer look at two of the key conditions: ADHD ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals focus, regulate their impulses, and manage their energy levels. Symptoms depend on the type; inattention causes challenges with focusing, organisation and time management, hyperactivity causes excessive energy or restlessness, and impulsivity causes a person to act without thinking or struggle to wait their turn. People can be predominately one type or a mix of the two and symptoms are varied and unique to individuals. While living with ADHD is challenging, people often find unique strengths within their condition, such as the ability to hyperfocus on something they find interesting, problem-solving skills and creativity. Autism Autism is described as a "spectrum" because it encompasses a wide range of traits and abilities. Common features include difficulty with social communication, such as reading facial expressions or tone, repetitive behaviours and routine, sensitivity to stimulation of the senses, e.g. bright lights or loud noises, and detailed, literal thinking. Autism can be challenging, including due to a lack of understanding. But there are key strategies to help those with it thrive. In her caption, Lydia offered more insight in her new collaboration. She wrote: "We're in the middle of a public health crisis that isn't being talked about. Ad* Advertisement "I believe so many parents aren't aware of the developmental, behavioural, physical, and emotional risks of excessive screen time in early childhood. "That's why I've teamed up with @healthprosforsaferscreens to help share the facts. This isn't about guilt tripping, we're all doing our best with the knowledge and tools we have. "But I believe that if parents really knew the dangers that would make different choices. "Which is why I think their free Summer of Connections e-book is a must-read for parents. Advertisement "It's packed with evidence, information and realistic ideas to help families reduce screen time and support new routines, rituals and healthier childhood development. "Head to my stories or bio to download. *Partnering with #healthprosforsaferscreens to raise awareness of screen harms." FAN SLAM Recently, Lydia was mum-shamed for admitting she still co-sleeps with her daughter instead of her partner. She previously came under fire over a sweet video she posted of her five-year-old little girl. Advertisement In the sweet clip, Loretta - whom she shares with her ex-boyfriend Lee Cronin - could be seen fast asleep next to her mum. However, some cruel trolls said she should not be letting her child sleep next to her, if she wants to find a new man. She was also mum-shamed after letting her daughter climb on plane seats. 6 Fans were quick to flag the condition is genetic Advertisement 6 Lydia told of the 'routines' she uses with daughter Loretta to reduce screen time in her new Instagram campaign Credit: instagram/lydiabright
