How to Increase Libido? 6 Natural Aphrodisiac Foods to Boost Your Sex Drive

Boost your libido with these 6 natural aphrodisiacs that will change your sex life for the better.

Food has been associated with sexual appetite for a long time and rightly so. What one eats shows on the body in different ways. Food controls almost all the major physical, mental and sexual aspects of the body since it is the primary source of fuel vital functions. 

In recent years there have been many studies to figure out the relationship between food and sexual desire or libido. Many of the sexual disorders have also been successfully treated with addition and elimination of some specific food items. 

Introduction

Why does one have a low sexual desire or libido?

As much as food is an inseparable part of life, so is sex as both help to sustain life but in different ways. In some cases, sex becomes even more important than food as it is a crucial requirement for the continuation of species on earth. 

However, having received the gift of consciousness from nature, humans are capable of experiencing sex on a different level. For humans, sex is not just about procreation but also about receiving and giving physical and emotional contentment and pleasure. If either of the components are missing in one’s sex life, it can be difficult to be happy and satisfied. 

Just like eating a hearty meal provides pleasure, sex should also make one feel rewarded and satisfied. This, unfortunately is not the case in modern times. With a bad lifestyle and overwhelming pressure of work, the fun part of life is diminishing in most people’s lives which has led to a progressive reduction in their sexual desires.

Boost your low sexual desire or libido

Although reasons for low libido can vary across genders, there are some common reasons that affect both men and women alike. Some of the reasons that contribute to a low sex drive are-

  • Chronic medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, sleeping disorders, obesity etc.
  • Sexual disorders like erectile dysfunction, ovarian cysts, hormonal imbalance etc.
  • Prolonged use of medications for the treatment of chronic diseases like antidepressants, antipsychotics, hormonal medicines, blood pressure medicines etc.
  • Psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, stress etc.
  • Personal problems in relationships or lack of understanding with the partner
  • Past trauma or bad sexual experiences in the past.

What changes to make to increase sexual desire naturally?

Some lifestyle and other related changes can be made to increase the libido naturally. They are-

  • Limiting alcohol intake
  • Including exercise in the daily routine
  • Eating food rich in flavonoids, healthy fats, nitrates and antioxidants
  • Resolving personal and relationship issues 
  • Establishing a better communication channel with significant other so both can understand each other’s needs
  • Seeking therapy for psychological disorders
  • Improving sleep cycle

What to eat to increase libido or sex drive naturally?

Of all the things discussed earlier, food is undoubtedly the most crucial for improving sexual desire.

In order to help sexual problems like low libido or lack of sexual desire, it is not always necessary to resort to medicines and therapy. The kitchen has the solution to many problems including sexual ones. 

Given below is a list of 6 best food and drinks to improve sex drive

  1. Spinach

It is not a very enticing vegetable and might not even suit everyone’s palate but one of the lesser-known facts about spinach is that it is a natural libido booster. Spinach is rich in flavonoids which are aromatic substances present in plants that have antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. 

It was not a coincidence when Popeye had a can of spinach, he became a rocket for both Olive Oyl and Brutus, albeit in different ways. Spinach is rich in magnesium which reduces inflammation in blood vessels and helps to increase the blood circulation in the lower regions of the body. Spinach also helps to metabolize estrogen in men which helps to increase the testosterone production

Increased blood flow in the body and especially in the sexual regions helps to enhance arousal which makes sex more pleasurable. Psychotherapists and sexual heath experts believe that with the inclusion of spinach in the diet, men can have better erections and women can achieve orgasms more easily. 

  1. Dark Chocolate

From a broken heart to a low sex drive, chocolate can fix a lot of things. This palatable aphrodisiac can arouse desires in more ways than one. Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids and antioxidants which increases blood flow throughout the body especially in the genital areas. 

Dark chocolate helps to produce more feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine which keep the mood elevated and stress levels low. This makes more room to spice up or rather sweeten the sex life so couples can enjoy each other’s company in bed. 

Moreover, since dark chocolate is low in sugar content, one can enjoy it guilt-free like a mini-snack before getting naughty. It builds the mood and keeps the energy levels high so both partners can be equally satisfied.  

Chocolate is a great addition to the pantry not just as a yummy dessert but also as great libido booster for both men and women because there is nothing a little bit of chocolate can’t fix. 

  1. Avocado

It should not come off as a surprise that the word avocado is derived from the Aztec word “ahuácatl” which means testicle. Probably due to this fact, avocados have been deemed as a sex-drive boosting food. 

Avocados have become a recent favorite and a staple of many health-conscious people and for the right reasons. It is a great source of monounsaturated fat which helps to maintain the levels of good cholesterol in the body. 

Avocados keep the heart healthy by supplying good fats and helping to eliminate bad fats from the body so one is never low on energy. When the heart is healthy blood flows more smoothly to all parts of the body especially to the regions where it’s required the most for performing well in bed. 

Avocados are a delicious treat not only for the taste buds but also for the libido. So, starting the day with a mouth-watering avocado toast can set the mood for the night. 

  1. Green Tea

They say, the hotter it is the better it gets when it comes to sex. After all who does not want to have a steamy session that leaves one wanting for more. A hot cup green tea is a good way to set the mood. 

Green tea is rich in substances called catechins which help to melt away excess body fat and enhance the liver’s ability to convert fat into energy. These compounds also increase the blood flow in the lower regions of the body by stimulating the production of nitric oxide which in turn helps to boost the libido and sexual desire.  

There is very little, a hot cup of green tea cannot do when it comes to overall health including, physical, mental and sexual well-being. A cup of this mood boosting elixir is a great addition to have steamy conversations and hot love-making sessions. 

  1. Red Wine

Too much alcohol can be bad but a few sips of red wine might be just right to hit that sweet spot to set the mood for the evening. According to a journal of sexual medicine study, women who consumed one to two glasses of red wine, had a heightened desire for sex than women who did not. 

The results of this study indicated that red wine can be a good choice for a date night or otherwise when couples want to heat things up sexually. Red wine is also a rich source of antioxidants which helps to fight free radical damage and stimulates the production of nitric oxide in the body; both these processes contribute to an increased blood circulation in the nether regions. 

This relaxing and mood boosting drink can be a good ice-breaker on a date and in the bed. Adding a glass or two of red wine can be a great way to enhance the flavors of one’s sex life. 

  1. Watermelon

This juicy fruit can be the answer to the lack of juice in a person’s sex life. Watermelon, quite literally a ball of freshness can add some charm to a sluggish sex life. This fruit is a rich source of an amino acid called L-citrulline which has been found to produce effects similar to Viagra. 

The amino acid L-citrulline gets converted to another amino acid L-arginine which triggers the production of nitric oxide in the body which helps to stimulate the blood circulation by relaxing the blood vessels. This leads to an increased sexual desire in both men and women

An increase in the blood flow to the genital region helps men to have better erections naturally and women to achieve more intense so they can be satisfied to the fullest. When both partners are able to give and receive sexual pleasure, their sex life becomes happier and more rewarding.   

Conclusion

Low libido is not a disease or a disorder per se. It is just a lack of the desire to have sex because the body feels deprived of something usually nutrients and energy. Food can provide a great and a cost-effective solution to this problem. 

Kidney Urology