(NaturalNews) Results from analyses of men who enrolled in a Harvard School of Public Heath study shows that sildenafil, known by most as Viagra, may increase a man's risk for melanoma by as much as a whopping 84 percent (1). The findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, involves follow up research from men who enrolled in the study in 2000. Their sexual health, sun exposure history, genetic factors such as eye and skin color, as well as their use of Viagra were noted, and over the course of 10 years, their incidences of skin cancers were tracked.

It was found that men who used Viagra had about twice the risk of developing melanoma; the results showed there to be 142 incidences of melanoma, 580 of squamous cell carcinoma and 3,030 of basal cell carcinoma (1).

While more conclusive research is needed, the researchers say that the findings do demonstrate a correlation at the very least, and raise concerns over the safety of sildenafil.

According to the skin cancer foundation, "Of the seven most common cancers in the US, melanoma is the only one whose incidence is increasing," and about 6,470 men are projected to die in 2014 from it (2).

Natural, healthier ways to achieve an erection

More natural and healthy ways to achieve an erection, which is Viagra's intended goal, are plentiful and may be worth exploring.

For example, consumption of dark-colored berries such as blackberries and elderberries contain powerful antioxidants that play a role in fighting free radicals that can impede blood flow (3). Oats are also beneficial, as are seeds and nuts, because they contain L-arginine, which is an amino acid that helps relax blood vessels in the penis so that increased blood flow is more likely to occur.

Additionally, stopping smoking and losing weight, if a man's BMI is 25 or more, can help. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, outlines that one-third of men who had a BMI of 30 or higher, who also had erectile dysfunction, demonstrated improvements when they lost 10 percent of their body weight (4).

Sources for this article include:

(1) http://www.cbsnews.com/news/viagra-may-increase-melanoma-risk/

(2) http://www.skincancer.org

(3) http://www.menshealth.com/sex-md/better-sex-diet

(4) http://www.menshealth.com

About the author:
A science enthusiast with a keen interest in health nutrition, Antonia has been intensely researching various dieting routines for several years now, weighing their highs and their lows, to bring readers the most interesting info and news in the field. While she is very excited about a high raw diet, she likes to keep a fair and balanced approach towards non-raw methods of food preparation as well. >>> Click here to see more by Antonia