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Sex on a Plate: Foods and Spices to Improve Your Libido
by Jaime
A. Heidel 12/13/11
Sex is one of the wonderful, natural pleasures of life. Sometimes stress, exhaustion,
depression and other factors put a damper on your mood. However, if you find yourself
saying, "not tonight, honey" more often than not, the cause of your low libido may
surprise you. Learn how food affects your libido, what foods will spice up your love
life and which foods to avoid.
Foods That Improve Your Libido
There are plenty of foods out there that improve your libido. These eight foods and
five spices can put the spark back into your bedroom!
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is not only delicious and good for you, it's a potent aphrodisiac.
The mood-enhancing benefits of this food come from two chemical compounds called anandamide
and phenylethylamine that make the body release "feel good" endorphins. So the next
time you want to have a romantic evening, bring home a small box of gourmet dark chocolates
to share.
Watermelon
Most people associate watermelon with backyard barbeques but it can have its place
in the bedroom, too. The secret ingredient is called citrulline, which encourages
the body's natural production of arginine. Arginine removes excess ammonia from the
body and makes nitric oxide. Nitric oxide improves circulation and relaxes blood vessels
in sexual organs. No wonder watermelon has been called "Nature's Viagra"!
Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients. They are also packed
with fiber, which helps lower cholesterol and increase blood circulation throughout
the body, including sexual organs.
Sirloin Steak
There's a reason a juicy steak is commonly associated with strong, virile men. A six-ounce
serving of sirloin steak contains 60-140 milligrams of a compound called choline.
This compound helps boost acetylcholine, the chemical responsible for sending sexual
signals to the brain.
Avocado
Avocados are a sexy fruit. They contain folic acid to improve energy, B6 to increase
male hormone production and potassium to regulate a woman's thyroid. All important
factors in improving your sex drive!
Celery
Though celery is usually associated with dieting, it can really improve your sex life.
This is because it contains the chemical androsterone, an odorless pheromone produced
by men that puts women in the mood.
Raw Oysters
Oysters have been used for centuries to improve libido in both men and women. The
two main mood-enhancing ingredients are dopamine and zinc. Dopamine encourages relaxation
and puts you in a good mood and zinc raises sperm and testosterone production.
Figs
Amino acids are reported to increase libido and figs are loaded with them. So this
holiday season, bring home some figgy pudding and have a good night.
Spices That Improve Your Libido
Pair these spices that improve your libido with foods that improve your libido and
you've got a potent mood-enhancing punch!
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is a hot spice. Not just because it is traditionally served in spicy Indian
dishes, but because of its performance-enhancing effects on men. According to study
done at the Centre for Integrative Clinical and Molecular medicine, fenugreek helps
increase sex drive in low-libido men by increasing testosterone production.
Garlic
Grab some parsley for your breath before dining on this mood-enhancing spice. Allicin,
the primary ingredient in garlic, is responsible for improving blood flow to the sexual
organs. For best results, eat raw organic garlic cut up in salads or added to stir-fry
right before removing from heat.
Ginger
Dr. Oz lists ginger among his top-4 sex-drive-enhancing spices and with good reason!
Ginger improves circulation to sexual organs and warms the body naturally. Add ginger
to a couple of cups of hot tea, snuggle close together by the fire and let the magic
happen!
Saffron
According to a study published in the journal of Food and Research International,
saffron increases sex drive because it's packed with antioxidants, zinc, potassium
and magnesium.
Nutmeg
In Africa, nutmeg is called "Viagra for women" and rightly so. This aromatic spice
not only has a delicious flavor, it has been clinically proven to increase sexual
responsiveness.
Foods That Kill Your Libido
Just like some foods will put you in the mood, some will suck the mood right out of
you. Avoid these mood-killing foods when you're looking for romance.
Processed Food
Processed food, microwaveable meals and fast food are all mood-killing foods. They
may taste good but a diet high in processed food will only lead to serious health
problems down the road.
Processed foods are loaded with unhealthy trans fat, artificial sweeteners, additives
and preservatives that wreck havoc with your mood, digestive system and circulatory
health. They also increase cholesterol and lead to hardening of the arteries. This
means decreased blood flow to the sexual organs and loss of interest in sex.
Soy Products
According to the popular magazine, "Men's Health", soy is a libido-killing food. This
is due to two estrogen-mimicking compounds called genistein and daidzein, which can
cause male breast enlargement, decreased hair growth, erectile dysfunction and bouts
of crying. If you've noticed your sex life is not what it used to be, read the labels
on your favorite sports drink, protein bar or weight-gainer. Soy is often a hidden
ingredient in these foods.
Alcohol
Though a glass of wine may put you in the mood, a bottle of wine is a mood-killer.
Excessive alcohol consumption decreases blood circulation and nausea and mental confusion
will put a damper on any sex you do try to have.
Mint
Guys, if you pop a lot of mints, you might want to pay attention to this: Mint can
be a mood-killing spice. According to a laboratory
study for women's health, mint tea was prescribed for women needing to decrease
their level of testosterone. Bad breath sufferers, reach for cinnamon or parsley instead.
One of the easiest rules to remember when it comes to foods and spices to improve
your libido is to eat healthy. Save processed food for a once-in-the-while treat.
A glass of wine may put you in the mood but a whole bottle will kill it.
Guys, avoid soy products and mints that dampen your desire. Ladies, stock up on organic
dark chocolate and nutmeg to get your motor running. Clean things up in the kitchen
and you can get naughty in the bedroom.
Jaime A. Heidel is the founder of http://itoldyouiwassick.com dedicated
to validating those suffering with mystery symptoms and helping them find alternative
ways to heal.
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