Interest in the benefits of chives is rising again following the release of a YouTube video in which actor Son Byung-ho remarked that "chives are also good for male stamina" while eating Jachun-gwon at a Chinese restaurant. The claim that a food is good for stamina has long been associated with various vegetables and ingredients, but many people are curious about the actual evidence supporting this claim.
In this article, I will summarize the facts regarding research on the relationship between chives and sexual function, the nutritional components found in chives, and even methods for managing vascular health that are more directly linked to erectile function.
Where did the saying mentioned by Son Byung-ho that “chives are good for stamina” come from?
In a video released on the YouTube channel 'AZ-Jjang Son Byung-ho' on October 1, 2026, Son Byung-ho looked at the vegetables inside Jachun-gwon and said, ‘The vegetable juice is alive,’ adding, “The blue ones are chives,” and “Chives are also good for men’s stamina.” These remarks expressed his personal opinion and did not present scientific grounds.
However, there are actually studies that address the relationship between chives and male sexual function. In 2019, the international journal 'Andrologia' published the results of an animal experiment in which male mice were administered chive leaf extract.
Can the research results be applied directly to humans?
The study showed that blood levels of nitric oxide (NO) and testosterone increased in mice administered chive leaf extract. Since nitric oxide is a substance that relaxes blood vessels to increase blood flow and testosterone is a male hormone, it is true that these results overlap with the popular belief that "chives are a stamina-boosting food.".
However, this study was an animal experiment in which extracts were administered rather than chives being fed as food. It is difficult to directly link the results of the animal experiment to the effects when humans consume chives. In other words, there is currently no clinical data confirming a direct causal relationship between chive consumption and the improvement of sexual function in humans.
What nutrients are actually contained in chives?
Chives are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fiber. They also contain various bioactive components, including sulfur compounds that produce a distinctive aroma.
The beta-carotene found in chives is converted into Vitamin A in the body, which can help maintain immune and visual functions. It is also known to contribute to reducing cell damage caused by free radicals through its antioxidant action. Additionally, chives contain a relatively high amount of nitrates, which are components that can be converted into nitric oxide in the body.
What is the relationship between nitric oxide and erectile function?
Erectile function is closely linked to how well blood is supplied to the penis. Nitric oxide is known to be a substance involved in the process of relaxing blood vessels to increase blood flow to the penis.
The pathway by which nitrates in chives are converted into nitric oxide may theoretically be linked to erectile function. However, this merely explains a potential physiological pathway, and it has not been clinically proven that consuming chives improves erectile function. It is accurate to say that there is still a gap between folklore and scientific evidence.
What is more important than specific foods in managing sexual function?
Erectile dysfunction is known to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Failure to properly manage blood sugar and blood pressure can damage blood vessels and nerves, potentially affecting sexual function.
In this context, lifestyle habits that manage overall vascular health play a more crucial role than relying solely on chives. The foundation consists of habits such as consuming sufficient amounts of various vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Efforts to quit smoking and reduce excessive alcohol consumption are also necessary.
The effects of smoking and excessive drinking on sexual function
Smoking is cited as a factor that increases the risk of erectile dysfunction by damaging blood vessels. This is because if blood vessels narrow or lose elasticity, the blood flow to the penis itself can decrease.
Excessive drinking is also known to be a factor that can strain the blood vessels and nervous system, so moderation is necessary. Ultimately, basic lifestyle habits such as quitting smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, and weight management form the foundation of sexual function management, rather than a single specific food ingredient.
Is eating chives harmful?
Since chives are a vegetable rich in vitamins and dietary fiber, including them in your daily diet is a healthy vegetable consumption habit. However, expecting that consuming chives alone will significantly improve stamina or erectile function may be a premature interpretation given the current level of evidence.
If symptoms of erectile dysfunction persist or underlying conditions such as high blood pressure or blood sugar are suspected, it is necessary to identify the cause through consultation with medical professionals rather than attempting to resolve the issue with food. Since health conditions and risk factors vary from person to person, it is safer to prioritize a professional diagnosis rather than generalizing the effects of specific foods.
In summary
The claim that chives are good for virility is closer to a folk belief derived from indirect evidence at the level of animal testing, and direct effects on humans have not yet been confirmed. To maintain sexual health, managing one's overall lifestyle—such as dietary habits, exercise, quitting smoking, and moderation in alcohol consumption—which determine vascular health, is a more important practical point than relying on a single specific food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is it true that chives are good for stamina?
Although there are research results from animal studies showing that chive leaf extract increased nitric oxide and testosterone levels, there is no direct clinical evidence yet that consuming chives improves sexual function in humans.
Q2. Which component of chives is known to be related to sexual function?
Nitrates, which are relatively abundant in chives, can be converted into nitric oxide in the body, and nitric oxide is known to be involved in the process of relaxing blood vessels to increase blood flow to the penis.
Q3. What are the main nutrients in chives?
It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and dietary fiber, and also contains bioactive components such as beta-carotene and sulfur compounds.
Q4. What are the major risk factors associated with erectile dysfunction?
Cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity are known to be associated with erectile dysfunction.
Q5. What is a sexual function management method more important than specific foods?
Consuming plenty of various vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight are fundamental, and quitting smoking and moderating alcohol consumption are also necessary.