The right foods for your libido? You know the drill: fill up on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole meal wheat – and put aside anything that clogs your arteries. But beyond these basic practices, by incorporating a few key foods into your meals, you can optimize your diet for a real libido boost.
And chances are, you’ve already got plenty of them – oatmeal, bananas, spinach, canned tuna – in your pantry and refrigerators right now. So keep reading and eating, and watch the sparks fly.
1. For him: Pomegranate juice
Watch out, guys. Pomegranate juice reduces the risk of erectile dysfunction in rabbits. In you too!
2. For her: red wine
Ladies, rejoice. Scientists have determined the ideal amount of wine to instantly stimulate the libido: two glasses. More than that didn’t produce any additional arousal and, in the same cases, had a diminishing effect. Not too much is too much.
3. Shrimp salad
Shrimps are rich in zinc and leafy greens are rich in folate. Together, they can boost testosterone levels; your libido will rise with it.
4. Oatmeal
Oats produce a chemical that releases testosterone into the blood supply, increasing libido and orgasmic strength. Mix in a little honey for an extra boost.
5. Spinach
According to Japanese researchers, spinach is a powerful source of magnesium, which helps dilate blood vessels. This means you can count on good blood circulation, which means men will have a stronger erection and women will find it easier to have an orgasm. All the motivation you need to eat the right foods for your libido.
6. For him: citrus fruits
Men who consume at least 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day improve their sperm count and motility. Vitamin C also prevents sperm from sticking together, giving them a better chance of reaching their destination.
7. For her: grass-fed beef
Among the main reasons couples stop sex is the famous: “Not tonight, I’m tired”. Increase your iron levels by eating more steaks and hamburgers. Stay healthy by eating only grass-fed beef: it contains less omega-3 fat and is good for heart health.
8. For all : Honey
Honey’s B vitamins help testosterone production and its boron content helps the body use estrogen, which is a key factor in good blood circulation and arousal.
9. For all: blueberries
The soluble fibers in bilberries introduce cholesterol into the digestive tract before the arteries choke. In addition, men will find circulation-enhancing compounds for a natural Viagra-like effect.
10. For all: pine nuts
Like shrimp, pine nuts are loaded with zinc, which helps boost testosterone and libido. Take out the pesto. Put it on your pasta. Throw it into your eggs.
11. For everyone: apples
Apples are packed with an antioxidant called quercetin, which helps improve men’s stamina in bed. But women can also enjoy the sex-stimulating benefits of apples, thanks to naturally high levels of phytoestrogens, a compound that enhances pleasure during intercourse. Perfect when you want to please yourself and love curves.
12. For everyone: oysters
Yes, the myth holds true: oysters are indeed an aphrodisiac. Like shrimps and pine nuts, nature’s pearl is packed with libido-boosting zinc.
13. For everyone: dark chocolate
Sweeten up your love life by indulging in this sweet treat. Dark chocolate, containing 70% cocoa or more, contains antioxidants proven to reduce stress and improve mood. What’s more, dark chocolate relaxes the arteries to increase blood flow. Do the math.
14. For all: ginger
Just one teaspoon of ginger a week can help improve arterial function. This will keep your blood flowing to the right parts. So next time you’re having sushi, don’t skimp on the ginger.
15. For everyone: bananas
High sodium levels will restrict blood flow to your area, which ends up dampening (and not in a good way) libido. The best way to reduce your sodium levels without eliminating your diet? Consume more potassium, a nutrient with which bananas are loaded.
16. For all: sweet potatoes
Like bananas, sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of potassium, which, again, helps light fires between the leaves. But increasing your potassium intake can also help you look better naked by reducing the inevitable swelling caused by excessive sodium consumption.
17. For all: canned tuna
Vitamin B12 deficiency reduces libido, causes chronic fatigue and, in men, can lead to episodes of erectile dysfunction. Fortunately, you can get your B12 via a common item on the grocery aisle: canned tuna, which happens to be among the top five sources of this product.
18. For all: spicy peppers
Whether it’s a jalapeño or a habanero, spicy peppers are an excellent source of capsaicin, which reproduces feelings of excitement-your heart rate goes up, you start to sweat-to the point where that reproduced feeling could turn into reality. Just be sure to wash your hands after handling.
19. For all: garlic
Eating a healthy, regular dose of garlic can help prevent the formation of plaque on artery walls, resulting in improved blood flow. So it’s no wonder that, according to legend, the ancient Egyptians used it as a ceremonial aphrodisiac. Who’d have thought these foods were good for your libido?
20. For all: avocados
Yes, avocados are a proven source of vitamin B12 (and other B vitamins), but they’re also packed with healthy monounsaturated fats. Both nutrients will help blood flow through your body.
If you now know the best foods for your libido, do you also know the worst?
