25 Foods That Will Boost Your Libido

The 25 Best Foods to increase your libido and sexual appetite!
With our crazy lifestyles these days, there are many factors that can contribute to a decrease in libido, including stress, toxicity from our environment and poor diet. Poor libido often underlies a bigger issue like inflammation that can impair energy production and blood flow, both of which are important for a healthy sex drive.

These aphrodisiac foods suggestions can satisfy your appetite and spark your desire!

1. BANANAS
Bananas contain the bromelain enzyme, that increases libido and reverse impotence in men. Also, they are potent sources of potassium and B vitamins like riboflavin, which increase the body’s overall energy levels. Hard men have healthy hearts, so eat bananas for potassium, which is great for your heart and circulation. Getting enough potassium helps keep your sodium levels under control.

2. ALMONDS
In ancient Rome, almonds were tossed at the bride and groom as a symbol of fertility. Today we know that almonds (and other nuts) provide a powerful punch of essential fatty acids, necessary for the body’s production of sex hormones. Almonds gives 20% of your magnesium RDA which regulates key neuroreceptors and protects against loss of cognitive function.

3. CAYENNE PEPPER
Cayenne pepper leads to longer lasting erections, stronger ejaculations and more intense orgasms. The capsicum acts as a vasodilator, relaxing blood vessels and increasing all-important blood flow.

4. CHOCOLATE
An Italian study found that women who report eating chocolate on a daily basis claim to have more satisfying sex lives; German researchers linked the flavan-3 oils in 7.5g chocolate to better blood flow. Roux recommends at least 70% cocoa content.

5. PINEAPPLE
Rich in vitamin C, pineapple is sometimes used as a homeopathic treatment for impotence (due to the presence of high levels of bromelin in pineapples, the same substance that gives bananas their libido-pumping power).

6. CHERRIES
Cherries are packed full of anthocyanins, colourful plant chemicals which protect your artery walls, helping prevent the fatty plaques that lead to atherosclerosis, or clogged arteries. Don’t fancy cherries? Berries, or brightly coloured fruit such as peaches, nectarines and plums, will all keep your arteries smooth as a baby’s nether regions.

7. SHALLOTS
Good for stimulation, shallots are high in potassium. 50g also packs 21mg of magnesium which a study in the Urology journal found could prevent premature ejaculation.

8. APRICOTS
Shakespeare touted the apricot as an aphrodisiac in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and some researchers say the velvety fruit appeals to women because it’s full of minerals, including vitamin E, that may boost sex drive and fertility.

9. CAULIFLOWER
Erskine blends her cauliflower into soup, which helps release its Indole-3-carbinol. The chemical slashed men’s oestrogen levels in a study at Rockefeller University.

10. CELERY
Celery is considered an excellent food to ramp up sexual stimulation. The reason being that it boosts a powerful substance known as androstenone – an odorless hormone released through male perspiration. Well, this is one of those kind of sweats that acts as a pheromone and has strange effect on women…

11. FIGS
Legend has it figs were one of Cleopatra’s favorite foods. According to Dr. Nalini Chilkov, L.Ac., O.M.D, figs have been prized as a sensual food for their resemblance of the female sex organs. The ancient Greeks valued figs more precious than gold and many cultures associated figs with fertility.

12. GARLIC
Described as a “hot” herb by holistic docs, garlic contains allicin, a compound that may increase blood flow to sexual organs. But before you put it to the test, do yourself a favor and pass your partner a mint. Or better yet, make sure you both indulge!

13. RED WINE
Wine – especially red wine – is a great source of the antioxidant phytochemical resveratrol, which helps open the arteries by enhancing the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide allows the blood vessels to expand, and this is how Viagra works. But while the little blue pill only works on tiny blood vessels, resveratrol helps your main arteries too. Make sure you stop at one or two glasses of wine.

14. AVOCADOS
Loaded with potassium, avocados boost libido for both sexes. And they’re rich in folic acid that provides energy and stamina – both of which are important once your libido is restored.

15. GINGER
Ginger is thought to boost blood circulation to all areas of the body including the sex organs. Physicians in Ancient Greece prescribed ginger root to men experiencing sexual difficulties—ginger is even listed in the Kama Sutra as an aphrodisiac.

16. HONEY
Medieval newlyweds drank mead, a fermented drink made from honey, to boost desire. Today we know honey is a source of boron, a mineral that helps metabolize estrogen—in men, boron appears to increase testosterone levels in the blood.

17. LEMON
Too wound up to enjoy sex? Breathing in the scent of lemon (as well as chamomile and bergamot) appears to trigger a deep relaxation response in men and women.

18. RAW OYSTERS
This is one of the best known aphrodisiacs. Oysters are rich in zinc and help increase sperm and testosterone production. Oysters also contain dopamine, a hormone that helps to build up libido. Libido dietary tip: Scrub the shells well to get any dirt or bacteria off. Open and place them on a bed of crushed ice, squeeze some fresh lemon onto them if you like, and then start sucking away.

19. ROMAINE LETTUCE
Roux praises romaine’s high vitamin A content: just one serving has up to 82% of your daily needs. Studies suggest a diet deficient in vitamin A leads to “testicular atrophy”. Nice.

20. RYE BREAD
This aids zinc absorption says Percy, which is vital for the production of testosterone. Studies show the phytic acid in three slices made for better zinc uptake than wheat.

21. STRAWBERRIES
Strawberries are said to increase romantic cravings and were considered a symbol of love in ancient Rome. Double the desire at your next romantic meal by serving some chocolate-dipped strawberries to each other!

22. SWEET POTATOES
Studies suggest their antioxidants limit damage from metals like mercury, which are known to clog noradrenal receptors that deal with libido-boosting hormones.

23. WATERMELON
A Texan study showed that the amount of the amino acid citrulline found in just six slices of watermelon is enough to relax your blood vessels and increase your sex drive.

24. WHOLE WHEAT PASTA
Whole-grain pasta is rich in trace minerals. Including 96% of your manganese RDA; US researchers linked deficiency to fatigue and low libido.

25. PUMPKIN SEEDS
Pumpkin seeds contain zinc, which is important in testosterone production for men and also helps to sustain sexual desire in women. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in the essential fatty acid omega 3, which acts as a precursor of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that play a key role in sexual health. Word on the street is that a diet rich in pumpkin seeds will enhance potency, drive and fertility.