Diet of Sex
Many people look to their diet to increase their sexual desire,
improve their ability to have sex, and increase the pleasure they get from sex.
While research indicates possible links between particular foods
and better sex, those seeking the best food for sex should ensure they are
eating a balanced, heart-healthy diet.
Research suggests that following this heart-healthy diet can
improve certain aspects of sexual health.
Some foods contain nutrients that may benefit your sex life.
This can include oysters, nuts, seeds, and apples, among others.
Having a healthy sex drive is linked to feeling physically and
emotionally healthy, so it’s no surprise that the foods you eat play a role in
boosting your sex life.
A nutritious diet can
benefit your sex life in many ways:
- boosting your libido
- improving blood flow and heart
health
- improving your stamina
Eating a diet rich in
vegetables and lean proteins — and low in foods that contain sugar and
saturated fat — can also help to prevent disorders that affect your libido,
like metabolic
syndrome and hormonal
conditions.
These foods are packed
with nutrients that can perk up your libido and may improve your overall
health, too
oysters
The reason for this is
that oysters are high in zinc. This compound increases blood flow, which may
aid blood flow to the sex organs.
Zinc may be especially
important in male fertility, as it helps regulate testosterone levels.
According to a 2018
reviewTrusted Source, zinc deficiency has
a negative effect on testosterone levels.
Oysters contain more
zinc than any other food source, with one serving providing 673%Trusted Source of your daily value.
If you’re not a fan of
mollusks, try lobster or crab instead. Both types of shellfish are loaded with
zinc.
Non-seafood sources of zinc include:
- beef
- pork
- baked beans
- pumpkin seeds
- cereals fortified with zinc
At the end of the study period, both male and female
participants displayed an average 24 percent increase in salivary testosterone levels.
They also experienced improvements in mood and blood pressure.
Certain
meats
Eating meats, or other
foods that contain specific amino acids, could help improve your sex life.
Various high-protein
foods — including beef, chicken, and pork — contain compounds that help to
improve blood flow, such as:
- carnitine
- L-arginine
- zinc
Smooth blood flow is
crucial to sexual response in people of all genders.
In particular, a 2019
reviewTrusted Source suggests that
arginine supplements could help treat mild to moderate erectile
dysfunction (ED).
Keep in mind, though,
that eating too much red meat can be bad for your heart.
Serve up some
animal-based protein (in moderation, to avoid increasing the risk of heart
disease) to help keep all systems running smoothly in the bedroom.
If you’re following
a vegetarian
diet, you can get these
nutrients from whole grains and dairy products, including milk and cheese.
Carnitine and
L-arginine are amino acids found in various high-protein foods. Whole grains
and milk are especially good sources of zinc.
Salmon is well known for having heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
The pink-fleshed fish, as well as sardines, tuna and halibut,
could play a role in keeping your body, and your sex life, healthy.
Omega-3s help prevent the buildup of plaque in your arteries,
according to a 2017 review Trusted Source. This
promotes healthy blood flow throughout your body.
Keeping the circulatory system working smoothly reduces the risk
of certain diseases that impair sexual function.
A large 2020 Cochrane review says
that omega-3 fatty acids slightly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
events and death, and reduces triglycerides (fats) in the blood.
Fish is also a great source of protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D,
and iron. It also contains zinc.
To help keep your heart and body healthy, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)Trusted Source recommend getting at
least two servings of fish per week.
Instead of candy, try
snacking on a handful of nuts and seeds.
Cashews and almonds
are chock-full of zinc, while a host of healthy snacks contain L-arginine to
get your blood flowing.
Try the following:
- walnuts
- pumpkin seeds
- sunflower seeds
- pecans
- hazelnuts
- peanuts
Apples are rich in a
compound called quercetin. This antioxidant, a type of flavonoid, may
offer a number of health benefits.
As far as sex goes,
quercetin plays a role in:
- promoting circulation
- treating ED
- managing the symptoms of
prostatitis
A 2016 review Trusted Source reports that quercetin can successfully
lower blood pressure at doses greater than 500 mg per day.
High blood
pressure can leadTrusted Source to sexual dysfunction because blood vessel damage impairs
blood flow to the genitals. This is one cause of ED.
In fact, a 2016 study
Trusted Source reported a 14%
reduction in ED in males who had a higher fruit intake. This may be due to
their flavonoid content.
In females, high blood
pressure can lead to a lower libido and less interest in sex, particularly if it
causes fatigue. Lower blood flow to the vagina can affect how their body
responds to sexual activity.
Overall, a diet rich
in flavonoids to boost your overall health and keep your sex life healthy.
Healthful foods rich in flavonoids include:
- apples
- strawberries
- blueberries
- dark-colored grapes
- red wine
- cherries
- citrus fruits
Beetroots are rich in antioxidants and vitamins,
making a healthful addition to any diet. They’re also high in dietary nitrates,
which means they could help boost your sex life.
Dietary nitrates
expand the blood vessels, a process known as vasodilatation, which improves
blood flow. This has beneficial effects on muscle contraction. Because of this,
some athletes use nitrates to boost performance.
Some studies
Trusted Source even suggest
that just one dose of beetroot juice, or doses over a few days, could improve
people’s performance at intermittent, high-intensity exercise, with short rest
periods.
Research
Trusted Source also suggests
that the dietary nitrates from beetroot juice can help manage blood pressure.
The researchers say this can benefit people with healthy blood pressure and
those with hypertension.
These same mechanisms
could, in theory, also help to improve blood flow and stamina during sex, while
improving your heart health overall.
Other foods high in nitrates include:
- spinach
- arugula, also known as rocket
- cress, also known as garden
cress
- lettuce
- celery
- radish
Fatty
fish and fish oil
The United States Department of
Agriculture recommend that people eat seafood twice weekly. Fatty fish
may be especially beneficial because they are rich in omega-3 fatty
acids. A person can also boost their fatty acid levels by taking fish oil or
omega-3 supplements.
Results of an animal-based study Trusted Source from
2016 indicate that fish oil can increase the quality of semen and the serum
testosterone levels in dogs by improving their fatty acid profiles. A study Trusted Source in
mice reported similar findings.
Examples of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids include:
- Atlantic mackerel
- herring
- salmon
- sardines
- trout
Onions
Onions may provide many health benefits, from supporting the
heart to slimming the waistline. They are also good sources of several
nutrients and antioxidants.
In addition, onions may increase low levels of testosterone. In
a 2012 study Trusted
Source with a rat model, researchers found that a daily intake of
fresh onion juice for 4 weeks significantly increased serum total testosterone
levels.
However, determining the effects in humans will require further
research.
Pomegranates
The pomegranate is an age-old symbol of fertility and sexual
function, and its antioxidant levels may support heart health and stress reduction.
Also, results of
a study from 2012 indicate that pomegranate may boost testosterone levels in
men and women. Sixty healthy participants drank pure pomegranate juice for 14
days, and researchers tested the levels of testosterone in their saliva three
times a day.
Leafy
green vegetables
Vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard, and kale are rich in magnesium, a
mineral that may increase the body’s level of testosterone.
Authors of a study Trusted Source from
2011 found that taking magnesium supplements for 4 weeks prompted an increase
in testosterone levels of sedentary participants and those who were athletes.
The testosterone increases were greater, however, in the active participants.
Other
good dietary sources of magnesium are:
- beans and lentils
- nuts and seeds
- whole grains
Other ways to boost sexual
desire,
- losing weight, for people who
are overweight
- exercising regularly
- building muscle through
resistance training
- getting enough sleep
- reducing stress
- speaking to a doctor about
testosterone therapy
- Avoid fried foods.
It's no secret that
fried foods are bad for our waistlines, but they can also have a negative
impact on libido."Not only are greasy foods bad for a healthy diet, but
they can also affect our sex drives," nutritionist Frida Harju told Cosmopolitan. "The trans-fat found in most fried foods is known to
decrease the libido in both men and women by increasing abnormal sperm
production in men and interferes with gestation in women."
Healthy
diet promote sex life.
Fueling your body with
the right kinds of food can help boost your mood and energy levels to support a
healthy relationship and sex life. For optimum health, eat a nutrient-rich diet
that’s low in trans fats, saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium. Eat a wide
variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and lean proteins.
To avoid gaining weight, don’t eat more calories than you burn in a day.
There are also a handful of supplements that promote sex life.
- – Organic
cinnamon
- – Liposomal curcumin (turmeric)
- – Liposomal vitamin C
- – A
high quality B vitamin complex
- – Mushroom
extract powder (for
the immune system)
- – Magnesium bisglycinate (anti-cramping, improved mood)
- – Probiotics (for healthy digestion/gut health)
- – Pine
pollen and maca
root powder (for
a libido boost)
- – Flax
seed oil
- – Omega
3 oil + DHA (for
brain health, cognitive function, and improved mood).
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