10 foods to increase libido and improve your sex drive

There are many tactics for those who want to spice up the relationship a little more. But have you ever stopped to think that the secret may be in food? That’s right! Betting on foods to increase libido can make the moment for two even better! Here are some aphrodisiac foods that will increase your sex drive:

1. Watermelon

Widely consumed during the summer for being refreshing, watermelon contains bioactive agents such as citrulline that promote “greater blood circulation in the genital regions, providing relaxation of blood vessels, ensuring high sexual performance”(1).

2. Seafood

Several seafoods contain good amounts of minerals, such as protein, iron, calcium, B vitamins and zinc, which may be related to sexual disposition and production of hormones such as testosterone (2). Some examples of these foods are: oysters, shrimp, lobsters, scallops, squid, etc.

3. Nuts

Nuts are also rich in zinc, a mineral related to raising and maintaining good testosterone levels (3). So, including nuts on your menu can improve your health in many ways, including your willingness to have more sex.

4. Coffee

Caffeine gives the body more energy and can act as a powerful aphrodisiac, helping to arouse the body (3). However, some studies (4) do not classify coffee as a food that increases libido, since its excessive consumption can cause the opposite effect. That is, it is better to ingest moderate amounts of coffee!

5. Chocolate

Alone, chocolate is not fully considered an aphrodisiac. According to a recent article, the combination of chocolate and spices can act as a sexual stimulant, increasing libido and revitalizing the body, but more research is needed to prove this fact.

The same study explained that “when ingesting chocolate, the brain releases endorphins, causing feelings of pleasure and well-being, very similar to what one feels during the sexual peak”, so the ingredient is often linked to increased libido.

6. Clove

Clove is considered a powerful aphrodisiac. Mainly its essential oil, work (6) with mice showed that clove extract increases sexual activity. This research concluded that “phenolic and steroidal compounds, present in the spice, stimulate the central nervous system, providing the increase of sexual function”.

7. Ginseng

Very popular in Chinese medicine, this root acts on systems such as cardiovascular, immune and neural. An experimental approach (7) pointed out ginseng as a great aphrodisiac, being widely used to aid in sexual performance and satisfaction. In this work, the authors point out, in addition to human hormones, “the type of gingeng and consumption are factors that can make a difference in the ability to increase libido”.

8. Saffron

Saffron can be considered an aphrodisiac spice for stimulating the erotic areas of the body. A recent article (8) pointed to a type of carotenoid found in saffron as responsible for its aphrodisiac properties. Thus, the spice could be used to help treatments for sexual dysfunction, but more experimental tests are needed to prove its effectiveness.

9. Banana

For some, the banana is just a phallic food, that is, a food that bears similarities to some sexual organ, so it awakens the desire for sex (3). But this fruit “contains good sources of potassium, vitamins A and B and tryptophan”, nutrients that give the body more energy, maintain blood pressure and can act as aphrodisiacs (1).

10. Fig

Like the banana, the fig is considered a phallic food because of its shape. According to one article (9), the compounds present in figs contain aphrodisiac activity, as they “increase the amount of testosterone in the body, significantly influencing libido and sexual desire”.

So how about including these libido-boosting foods at your next romantic dinner to set the perfect mood? Enjoy and also see other ways to improve libido.