A number of Saudi men seem to be increasingly getting hooked on to a local Viagra cocktail that is being sold off the shelves with the promise of increasing sexual performance.
The fad for the local Viagra has raised alarm among health experts, who believe that the product may have serious health hazards, Arab News reported. Mixed with beverages and liquids, it promises increased libido and is available across the shops in the kingdom.
The product is being marketed under the pretence that it guarantees a 'happy marital life', as per the report. Alarmed by the booming business for such fancy products, local doctors have called for more control over their sale.
There is no scientific proof for such claims, according to Dr Khalid Ali Almadani, vice chairman of the Saudi Society for Food and Nutrition. While juices and food rich in vitamins and minerals increase energy levels, they don't have any effect on sexual performance.
"This phenomenon could be the result of psychological effects and to the promotions and advertising for the products," he said.
Nutritionist Rowaida Idrees highlighted that such products are promoted with a claim that it contains nuts or honey, which would have a 'special effect' on sexual performance.
"We have healthy and unhealthy food and there are certain foods that are suitable for certain diets, but we should not reserve certain foods and juices only for married men," she added.
The health experts also have concerned that many infertile men are being cheated into taking these 'special juices' with the belief that they can have kids after consuming it.
"[S]pecial juices..they [are] not a cure for people with low sex drive. Those people should seek help from a specialist since a low sex drive can be due to psychological or physical problems or both, said Shareef Ghazi, a fertility expert.
