Boost Male Sexual Health and Function

As men age, they often experience a decrease in sexual desire, performance, satisfaction, and function.^1-3

One survey found that 48% of men aged 65-74 met the diagnostic criteria for erectile dysfunction.⁴

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Three plant-derived nutrients have been evaluated in clinical studies related to sexual health and function in aging men.^5,6

In a clinical trial published in 2025, a blend of pomegranate and cacao extracts led to an average 80% increase in sexual functioning scores, boosting arousal, behavior, and satisfaction.⁵

Participants reported engaging in sexual activity one or two times monthly when the study began, but four to six times weekly after taking the extracts for 84 days.⁵

In another trial, a bioavailable form of luteolin reduced levels of compounds, including the hormone estradiol,⁶ associated with male sexual health problems.^6,7

Taking a combination of these ingredients may help ensure a healthy sex life at any age.

Sexual Health Promotes Healthy Aging

Sexual dysfunction can put stress on relationships and damage quality of life.⁸

In addition, studies link better sexual health to:

• Less depression and anxiety,^9-11
• Greater life satisfaction,^9,12 and
• Better perceived physical health.^13,14

Sexual function is often considered in discussions of healthy aging in men.

Pomegranate and Cacao Bean

In efforts to explore male sexual health, researchers screened hundreds of plant extracts for potential sexual effects.

Two demonstrated promise in preclinical and clinical studies:^15-17

• Pomegranate fruit rind, and
• Cacao beans used to make cocoa.

These extracts were combined and evaluated in a clinical study.⁵

Scientists enlisted 116 healthy and recreationally active men, 40-70 years old. They took 400 mg of the pomegranate-cacao blend or a placebo daily.⁵

After 84 days, the pomegranate-cacao group improved in all aspects of sexual health and function evaluated.⁵

Improved Sexual Health

All subjects completed a standard questionnaire assessing various aspects of sexual function.

Those taking the pomegranate-cacao extract blend had, compared to placebo, an average 80% increase in total sexual functioning scores after 84 days.⁵

The treatment group had, compared to placebo, improvements of:⁵

• 93% in sexual cognition and fantasies (how often they had sexual or erotic thoughts or fantasies),
• 105% in sexual arousal,
• 115% in sexual behavior and experiences,
• 27% in orgasm achievement and satisfaction, and
• 58% in sexual drive.

Remarkably, 55% of participants in the pomegranate-cacao group who initially reported mild-to-moderate sexual dysfunction did not meet criteria of any sexual dysfunction at the end of the study.

By contrast, every member of the placebo group reported mild-to-moderate sexual dysfunction by the study’s end.⁵

Drilling down, investigators looked at two specific questions in the survey.

One asked how often the subject had a full erection upon awakening. The pomegranate-cacao group averaged one or two monthly at baseline but four to six weekly after 84 days.⁵

Another question asked how often the participant had "sexual intercourse, oral sex, etc."

Those taking the extract blend reported engaging in sexual activity an average of one or two times per month at baseline but four to six times weekly at the end of the study.⁵

Boosting Erectile Function

Subjects also completed a standard questionnaire for clinically assessing erectile function.

After 84 days, the pomegranate-cacao group showed, compared to controls, a 36% change in overall erectile and sexual function.5The change included specific improvements of:⁵

• 28% in erectile function,
• 43% in orgasmic function,
• 44% in sexual desire,
• 40% in intercourse satisfaction, and
• 46% in overall satisfaction with sex life and sexual relationships.

The study also used a self-reported tool known as the Erection Hardness Score.

At baseline, subjects averaged Grade 2, "not hard enough for penetration."

After 84 days, the placebo group still averaged Grade 2. But the pomegranate-cacao group’s average improved to Grade 3, "sufficient for penetration."⁵

Effect of Bioavailable Luteolin

Luteolin is a health-promoting compound found in some fruits and vegetables.¹⁸

On its own, it suffers from low bioavailability.¹⁹ But coating it in a plant-derived fiber called galactomannans has produced a highly bioavailable luteolin.²⁰

In a trial, this novel formulation produced blood levels of luteolin 14 times greater than standard luteolin.²⁰

To test its effects on male sexual health, scientists enlisted 51 men aged 35-55 with low testosterone. After 84 days, those who took 500 mg of bioavailable luteolin had, compared to a placebo:⁶

• 17% lower blood levels of the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and
• 12% lower blood levels of estradiol (a type of estrogen, the female sex hormone).

Lower SHBG levels are associated with higher circulating testosterone.²¹ The reason is that SHBG binds with testosterone, inhibiting it from attaching to testosterone receptors.^22,23

Lowering estradiol levels has been associated with aspects of male sexual health because elevated estradiol is associated with erectile dysfunction.²⁴

Luteolin has been shown in preclinical studies to inhibit aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into estradiol.^25,26

Additionally, the luteolin group had, compared to placebo:⁶

• 8% increased grip strength,
• 10.4% improved vigor, and
• 11% decreased tension levels.

Taking bioavailable luteolin along with a pomegranate-cacao extract blend has been explored for its potential role in male sexual health and function.

What You Need To Know

Support for Men’s Sexual Health

• As men age, they typically experience a decline in sexual health and function.
• In a clinical trial, a blend of pomegranate and cacao bean extract was associated with an 80% increase in sexual arousal, behavior, performance, and satisfaction.
• A bioavailable form of luteolin clinically reduced levels of the compounds SHBG and estradiol, changes that have been associated with erectile function and testosterone levels.
• Taken together, these three ingredients may substantially enhance male sexual function, desire, and satisfaction.

Summary

Aging men often experience reduced sexual health, including decreased desire, performance, erectile function, and satisfaction.

In a human study, a blend of pomegranate and cacao bean extracts was associated with changes across all evaluated aspects of sexual health and function.

In another human study, a bioavailable form of luteolin was associated with change in vigor while decreasing levels of compounds that can interfere with male sexual health.

Combining these ingredients may offer a complementary approach to addressing age-related change in sexual health as men age.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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