Want a boost in the bedroom? Everything you need may be sitting on the shelves at your local grocery store. Not only does a good diet keep you healthy, it also affects your love life. Some foods are known to charge your libido and give your performance a lift.
Fish. Foods such as salmon and mackerel are high in Omega-3 oils which help both your circulatory and nervous systems."Omega-3 makes your nervous system function better," said Dr. Barbara Bartlik of Weill Cornell Medical Center. "Sex is really about circuitry," she told Forbes.
Granola. Granola is rich in L-arginine, which improves sexual function in men. Oatmeal, peanuts, walnuts, green vegetables, ginseng, seeds, and garlic are among foods rich in L-arginine.
Soy. Soy is beneficial in bed to both men and women, aiding the prostate and helping women cope with the symptoms of menopause.
Honey. Ever wonder about the origin of the word "honeymoon?" In the past, European newlyweds drank honey wine during the first month of their marriage to improve their sexual stamina, according to WebMD. Honey is a great source of boron, a mineral that boosts the blood levels of testosterone. It also helps metabolize and utilize estrogen.
Chocolate. No longer just a tasty treat, chocolate contains phenylethamine, a compound which raises the body’s endorphins. It also contains methylxanthines, which help transport nerve impulses.
Tomatoes. Once thought of as a potent aphrodisiac and called the “love apple,” tomatoes are loaded with the powerful antioxidant lycopene.
Fruits. Vitamin C is found in all fruits and vegetables and is particularly abundant in blackcurrants, strawberries, and citrus fruits. Studies have shown that 500 to 1,000 mg a day of vitamin C can increase the quality and quantity of sperm.
Oysters. Along with other seafood, oysters are loaded with zinc as well as other minerals essential for kicking a sex drive into high gear. According to WebMD, oysters contain dopamine, a chemical that boosts feelings of sexual desire. And oysters contain zinc which influences the production of testosterone.
Fats. Although too much fat of the wrong kind can clog arteries and interfere with sexual function, the right kinds of fats are essential for producing hormones. Make sure your diet contains healthy non-saturated fats.
Low-calorie fruits and vegetables. Foods that help you control your weight are also good for your libido, and losing weight will enhance your sex drive. "There has been very solid research showing that obesity is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction and low testosterone," Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh of Columbia University’s medical school told Forbes.
"From an erection standpoint, anything that’s good for your heart is good for your penis," Dr. John Mulhall of Weill Medical College of Cornell University told Forbes.
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