For anybody looking to live a healthy, happy, and productive life, maintaining a healthy libido and sex drive can actually set them down the right path to all of those things, and many more besides. Let’s face it, when we’re younger I.E our teens and early twenties, our libidos and sex drives are sky-high, with the mere mention of the word ‘sex’ often being enough to set our hearts racing and our libidos flying through the roof. As time goes by however, we begin to find the effects of time and aging, creeping up on us, so that, when once upon a time, a lingerie advert on the TV would have driven us wild, we now don’t even notice it and are instead more preoccupied on getting the adverts out of the way so that we can return to watching our TV show instead. As we grow older, thanks to reductions in hormones such as testosterone, and indeed other outside catalysts such as poor dietary choices and less physical activity, we begin to find our sex drives and libidos wavering more and more, which can not only lead to other sexual disorders such as impotence or erectile dysfunction, it can also put pressure and a strain on marriages and relationships. The good news however, is that, just because you’re growing a little older in the tooth, that doesn’t mean you need to resign yourself to a life with no sex drive as in actual fact, there are not only natural supplements that you can take, but there are also a number of foods you can consume that have been proven to greatly enhance a person’s sex drive. Here’s a look at just 7 of the most effective foods for boosting sex drive that you could ever wish for.
Pine nuts
Pine nuts are good for so much more than just toasting and sprinkling over salads to give them a little extra crunch and texture as they are actually packed full of healthy and beneficial nutrients that the body can’t get enough of. Not only are pine nuts loaded full of healthy fats and protein, they are also rich in arginine, which is one of the main reasons why they’re considered so beneficial for the libido. You see, arginine can act as a vasodilator, which basically means that it dilates the blood vessels and makes them bigger and wider. As the blood vessels increase in size, they allow more blood to be transported through them, which means that more oxygen and nutrients can be carried around the body in the process – via the blood. The main reason for this is because arginine is naturally converted via the body into Nitric Oxide, which provides the vasodilating effects. Nitric Oxide is a key ingredient found in Viagra, and now you can probably understand why that is. So, the next time you turn your nose up at homemade pesto, or opt not to add a few toasted pine nuts to your salad, you may want to think twice, especially if you’re planning on getting lucky in the near future.
Watermelon
When it comes to healthy and beneficial fruits, don’t ever underestimate the power of the humble watermelon. Whilst they perhaps don’t have the strongest taste in the world, or as much vitamin C as other forms of fruits, watermelons still provide a number of benefits for a person’s health and fitness levels, particularly, it turns out, when it comes to the libido and sex drive. Watermelon is rich in nutrients including citruline, that provide similar effects on the blood vessels as Viagra does. The cirtuline can also boost circulation and increase blood flow, which means that more blood can reach the genitals and the erectile tissue in the genitals, which can not only boost arousal, but can also help to improve erection size as well. There is also the fact that watermelon is so rich in natural water, which means it helps to keep you hydrated, and as you probably know, healthy hydration provides numerous advantages to the body, including those heavily linked to a person’s sex drive.
Black raspberries
Black raspberries are fruits which are jam-packed full of natural goodness, including powerful phytochemicals. These phytochemicals have been proven to not only improve arousal levels, but they can also naturally increase endurance as well, which can help you to perform longer when you do engage in sexual activity.
Avocados
Avocados are another type of fruit that are vastly underappreciated, not only in terms of health benefits, but also in terms of taste as well. The main reason why these fruits, and yes, they are fruits, are underappreciated and avoided so much, is because of the fact that they are rich in fats and calories. Whilst they are rich in fats and calories, the natural fats that avocados contain are incredibly healthy and beneficial for a number of different systems in the body, including the reproductive system. These healthy fats, as well as vitamins and nutrients such as folic acid and vitamin B6, can all work together to fuel and energize the body, which in itself will indirectly help boost your libido. It is the vitamin B6 content of avocados however, that really provide the sex drive-boosting benefits, as this vitamin has been found to play a very significant role in hormone production in males. One of those hormones that vitamin B6 happens to help increase the natural production of, is testosterone, which is the dominant male sexual hormone. Individuals with low levels of testosterone are far more likely to have low sex drives, low sperm mobility, be at an increased risk of infertility, and even be at risk of suffering from impotence or erectile dysfunction. Put simply, the vitamin B6 found in avocados helps to increase testosterone production, which in turn helps to ramp up your sex drive.
Oysters
When you see people eating oysters on TV shows, often they’re doing so because they’re trying to boost their libidos as many people consider oysters to be a natural aphrodisiac. The reason why oysters are thought to provide natural aphrodisiac effects, is due to the fact that they’re rich in minerals such as zinc and iron. The iron in oysters, for example, helps promote the production of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients around the body via the bloodstream, so the more haemoglobin a person can produce, the more oxygen and nutrients their blood will be able to carry to parts all around the body, including the genitals. Zinc is a mineral which helps to boost immunity and perhaps more relevantly, also helps with the natural production of testosterone, and we all now know just how important testosterone is in regards to sexual function and libido. Oysters are also rich in protein and amino acids, and are naturally low in calories, so you don’t need to worry about gaining weight and feeling bloated before your big date, although you may wish to brush your teeth before you head out.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another food that is incredibly underrated in terms of health benefits, as it is often simply consumed as a quick breakfast to help fuel your body for the next several hours. Oatmeal is low in calories and is rich in dietary fibre, which helps with nutrient absorption and digestion. It is also packed full of carbohydrates which provide slow and steady streams of energy for the body, helping to fuel it for several hours at a time. That’s all well and good, but it doesn’t really say very much about sex drive, now, does it? Well, don’t worry, we’re getting to that. You see, oatmeal is also rich in B vitamins, including vitamin B6. If B6 sounds familiar to you, it’s because we spoke about it briefly, and spoke about how it helps to increase natural testosterone production. But wait, there’s more to come. Oatmeal is also rich in minerals, with two of the most prominent minerals found in oatmeal being: Zinc, and iron. Zinc and iron also provide numerous benefits in regards to sex drive, as mentioned previously as they also help boost testosterone production, and blood flow respectively. Combine all of these ingredients together, and a bowl of oatmeal with a handful of black raspberries and sliced watermelon suddenly doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.
Dark chocolate
There’s a reason why dark chocolate is also considered a very potent aphrodisiac, and it isn’t just because it happens to taste great and put you in such a great mood as you chow down on it, either. Dark chocolate is crammed full of powerful antioxidants, more in fact, than red wine, and it also naturally contains a chemical which provides stimulating effects on the body, which is known as phenylethlamine. This potent chemical can help to stimulate feelings of excitement and anticipation, which greatly help in regards to libido. The benefits don’t stop there however, as dark chocolate is also rich in compounds known as methylxanthines, which have been found to heighten a person’s sensitivity, which in turn helps to ensure that a person’s skin registers even the softest and gentlest of touches. So, combine all of the above, and you have all of the ingredients required for the ultimate night of passion. Remember, it’s only dark chocolate that is rich in antioxidants and natural goodness, so steer clear of milk chocolates and chocolates packed full of trans fats and added sugars and sweeteners.
