We all know that consuming unhealthy foods can result in weight gain, medical problems, and shorter life spans. But there are also consequences to eating certain unhealthy foods that you may have not considered: Eating a lot of junk food can add to impotence problems a lot sooner than you think.

Avoiding foods which have sodium and saturated fats (cholesterol) is important for your sexual health. The best option is to eat a lot of vegetables, fresh fruit, whole grains, and fiber. You should focus on having a heart-friendly diet because erectile dysfunction is often related to circulation problems. Sexual function is dependent on the cardiovascular system, the nervous system, heart and blood vessels. Making healthy food decisions can help keep these sexually critical systems functioning at their best, while bad choices can poison them.

Splurging on junk food once in awhile will not affect your ability to perform overnight, but if you consume a lot of the foods that are considered bad for you, your sexual function will likely suffer sooner or later. While avoiding bad foods completely is not necessary, eating them sparingly is always a good idea. Base your diet on foods that are good for sex and your body as a whole.

Here are some of the foods that are known for causing impotence problems: Fatty cuts of beef, sausage, bacon and full-fat luncheon meats. While we all know cholesterol and saturated fat narrow arteries that feed the heart, they also narrow the arteries which carry blood to the penis. This contributes to erectile dysfunction (ED). Studies have shown that as a man’s cholesterol goes up, so does the chance that he will suffer from ED. Men who had cholesterol higher than 240 were almost twice as likely to have erection problems as those with cholesterol lower than 180. It has also been found that just one fatty meal can impair your sexual function immediately for the short term.

Baked goods. Many baked goods like cookies, cakes, and chips contain a large amount of trans fat. Trans fats are even worse for your arteries than saturated fats. Watch out for margarines that are not labeled “trans-fat free” and products containing hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Dairy products. Most cheeses contain a large amount of saturated fat and can damage arteries. Cheeses can be just as bad for your sexual function as red meats.

Soy. While soy foods are good for you and can lower your cholesterol and reduce the risk of prostate cancer, they have estrogenic qualities called isoflavones. Researchers are not sure what effects isoflavones have on men, but it is possible that eating a lot of soy foods can have a negative impact on your sex life. Eating soy foods a few times a week is okay, but it is recommended that you do not go overboard.