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Are moments of intimacy becoming a novelty in the household? Do you ever feel like you’re never in the right mood for passion in the bedroom?
If your sex life is stagnating, it may be natural to blame your condition on things beyond your control. But one likely culprit that may slip through the cracks lies in the food that you eat.
Eating a nutritious diet isn’t only good for your physical and mental health, but according to research, it can also have a positive effect on men’s and women’s sexual health too.
Conversely, eating the wrong types of food can spell disaster for your sex drive. These unhealthy foods can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity—all of which are detrimental to your sexual health and libido.
Even if you indulge in an unhealthy diet a few times a month, these foods can take a toll on your stamina and make sexual satisfaction significantly more difficult to achieve.
If you’re looking to break free from your harmful food habits and employ better ones, read on to learn more.
What Factors Affect Libido?
Libido refers to a person’s sex drive or the desire for sexual activity. Decreased sex drive due to ED is affected by three main factors:
- Biological
- Chronic Illness
- Psychological
Biologically, hormones and neurotransmitters play a role in regulating sex drive. For example, the hormone testosterone is a key sex hormone that’s responsible for sexual arousal in men.
If your body gets too fatigued, it can affect your sex drive as well. Under stress, testosterone production is inhibited in favor of “fight-or-flight” hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. For men who are chronically stressed, this can lead to low testosterone levels and a lower sex drive.
Psychological ED factors may also affect your sexual function and libido.
People who have performance anxiety may not want to have sex as often due to fear of clamming up in front of their partner.
People suffering from depression may also be less likely to engage in formerly enjoyable activities.
While there are clinically-approved therapies to deal with these factors, lifestyle changes play a big part in treating sexual dysfunction.
Here are six healthy foods that can help reverse sexual dysfunction and increase sexual desire.
Best Food to Increase Libido
Ready your pens: these foods turn up the heat in the bedroom.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in two hormones that play a critical role in male sexuality: Magnesium and folic acid.
Magnesium is a mineral that reduces blood vessel inflammation, which improves blood flow and sexual performance. This increase in blood flowing to the erectile region helps heighten arousal and sexual desire.
Spinach also includes folic acid, an essential nutrient for improving erectile function. According to one study, low folic acid levels are associated with a higher risk of developing ED.
Oysters
These mollusks have been considered an aphrodisiac for years, but have you ever wondered why oysters are so highly-acclaimed?
It’s because oysters contain the highest zinc per serving than any other meal, at 74 milligrams per 3-ounce serving.
Zinc is essential because it aids in the production of testosterone and increases sperm motility. A zinc deficiency is also associated with lower testosterone production.
If you and your partner are looking for a fun way to increase your intimacy, consider giving oysters a try to boost your sex drive.
If you’re not a fan of eating mollusks, lobsters and crabs also share similar properties (but aren’t as potent).
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like salmon and tuna contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to improved blood circulation.
In fact, according to a recent study, omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the reduction of plaque buildup in the arteries.
As erectile function is hinged on a healthy amount of blood flow to the pelvic region, fatty fish can be a key player in getting and maintaining an erection.
Aside from omega-3 fatty acids, fish also contains the following nutrients:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Zinc
- Iron
If you haven’t eaten seafood in a while, start by incorporating salmon, tuna, herring, and mackerel into your meals two to three times a week. It’ll help improve your sex life by reducing the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Watermelon
Watermelon’s use isn’t only limited as a refreshing fruit on a hot summer day. This colorful fruit also has a host of benefits that may help improve sexual function.
Watermelon is high in citrulline, an amino acid that helps relax and widen blood vessels, a process known as vasodilation. This can lead to improved blood flow, especially in the sex organs.
Watermelon is also a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to heart health and improved blood flow.
Pomegranate
This juicy fruit is not only delicious, but it’s also rich in antioxidants, which have been linked to improved blood flow.
Pomegranate enhances endothelial nitric oxide, which helps increase and widen blood vessels to allow for more blood flow. They also contain a type of pigment known as anthocyanins, which fight off unstable molecules and help keep cells healthy and free of diseases.
According to one randomized study, 25 out of 42 men have experienced an improvement in erectile function after drinking pomegranate juice.
Although further research is needed, the science behind the advantages of pomegranates to male sexual function looks promising.
Nuts
If you’re looking for something to snack on, grab a handful of nuts. Nuts are a great source of L-arginine, an amino acid that helps with blood flow.
Almonds, hazelnuts, and cashews are all excellent choices as they’re rich in zinc. This mineral is essential for the production of testosterone, which has a direct impact on your libido.
Walnuts are another variety of nuts that may be good for sexual health. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to increased blood flow and a lower risk of heart disease.
Consult a Men’s Clinic for Medical Guidance about Improving Blood Flow and Increasing Sex Drive
Eating healthy foods that are known to improve blood flow is a simple way to potentially increase male libido.
If you’re looking for ways to spice up your sex life, start by including the foods in this list in your diet.
Remember, however, that many factors can affect sexual function.
If you’re concerned about erectile dysfunction or low libido, contact a doctor at Precise Men’s Medical Centerto schedule a consultation. We are Cleveland’s leading men’s clinic providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Acoustic Wave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more.
