Best and Worst Foods for Sex

Libido-Boosting FoodsBy Ashley MachaIt can take more than just a few candles and a Marvin Gaye song to feel sexy. A healthy lifestyle—from the food you eat to the exercise you do—can make you look and feel better, and improve your sex life, too. At the same time, some foods can be mood- and libido-killers.“The link between food and sex drive isn’t just wishful thinking” says Cynthia Sass, RD, author of S.A.S.S Yourself Slim. “Studies show that certain foods or nutrients do play a role in boosting libido and supporting a healthy sex life.”Here are a variety of foods that can put some sizzle—or fizzle—in your sex life.

Best and Worst Foods for Sex

STRAWBERRIES

Best

We’ll say it: Strawberries are sexy. Here’s why. Good circulation is thought to be crucial for sexual functioning in both men and women, and strawberries are rich in antioxidants that benefit your heart and arteries.What’s more, they’re rich in vitamin C, which along with antioxidants, has been linked to higher sperm counts in men. Try dipping the berries in dark chocolate, which contains methylxanthines that may activate the libido.

AlcoholWorstA glass of wine can make you feel

relaxed andchatty on a date, and it’s the social

lubricant thatoften gets strangers talking to one

another in a bar.But in reality, alcohol can be one of

the worst thingsfor your love life. Too much alcohol

dampens sexual desire, decreases arousal and

sensitivity, and maylower inhibitions leading to unsafe

decisions aboutsex.

Avocados

BestThese superfruits are rich in vitamin E, which

hasantioxidant properties, potassium, and

vitamin B6,which may prevent or delay heart disease andpromote better blood flow.They’re also a good source of heart-healthymonounsaturated fats. Anything that helps

your heartand circulation can also be critical for a

healthy sex life.Men with heart disease are twice as likely to

have erectiledysfunction because both conditions can

result fromartery damage.

Almonds

BestAlmonds contain zinc, selenium, and

vitamin E,which are vitamins and minerals that

seem to beimportant for sexual health and

reproduction.Selenium can help with infertility

issues and, withvitamin E, may help heart health.

Zinc is a mineral thathelps produce men’s sex hormones

and can boost libido.Blood flow is important for your sex

organs, sochoosing good fats, such as the

omega-3 fatty acids foundin almonds, is a good idea.

Steak

Worst

While meat does provide protein andzinc, meat also tends to be high insaturated fat and cholesterol. A meatheavy diet is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, high bloodpressure, and heart disease, healthconditions that can affect bloodcirculation and sexual function.What’s more, a small study published in2006 in Chemical Senses suggestedthat eating meat, may result in, ahem, aless attractive body odor. In the study,17 men ate either a meat or non-meatdiet for two weeks and then switched.Women were asked to rate theirattractiveness based on smell alone (fromarmpit pads worn by the men), and theytended to prefer non-meat eaters

Sweet PotatoesBestSweet potatoes are rich in

potassium, which helps fight high blood pressure, which is associated with a higher risk of erectile dysfunction.

They’re also rich in beta-carotene, providing the body with vitamin A, which is suspected (but not proven) to be helpful for those with infertility.

Sesame SeedsBestZinc is thought to be good for sexual

health (it can helptestosterone and sperm production in

men) and the No. 1source is oysters. But really, how often do

you eatoysters? Another source: Sesame seeds,

says Sass.Mix them into granola or sprinkle them

into a healthystir-fry, she says.Some breakfast cereals also contain zinc,

such as Kellogg’sAll-Bran Complete Wheat Flakes. One

serving (3/4 cup)has more than 100% of the recomme

WatermelonBestThis popular summer fruit is low

in calories, butalso high in potentially libido-

boostingphytonutrients.In 2008, Texas A&M research

suggested that thelycopene, citrulline, and beta-

carotene found inwatermelon may help relax blood

vessels, andprovide a natural enhancement

for revving up yoursex drive.

Fatty Foods

WorstMany fried and fast foods have high levels of “bad fats,” such as saturated and trans fat,which can negatively affect your heart and impede blood flow due to a a build-up offatty plaque in the arteries.What’s more, fried potatoes, such as French fries, have been associated (along withother foods) with a greater risk of type 2 diabetes, which is known to cause sexualhealth problems in both men and women.Sass says the type of oil used to fry the food is key. “If it’s fried in partially hydrogenatedoil it would have trans fat (worse than saturated fat),” she says. “If it was fried in a liquidplant oil, the (food) may be very low in saturated fat.”

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