Styling

16 June 2017

10 Healthy Foods Keys to Unlock Your Love Intimacy.

Category: Styling

For a lot of us, it can take more than a romantic meal and sexy music to get us in...

The post 10 Healthy Foods Keys to Unlock Your Love Intimacy. appeared first on Lifehack.

For a lot of us, it can take more than a romantic meal and sexy music to get us in the mood. Leading a healthy lifestyle that involves exercise and eating the right foods can go a long way in helping you, not only feel more confident, but also more mentally eager to get in between the sheets.

Having the same levels of interest as each other when it comes to sex is important in maintaining a loving intimacy and physical bond so doing what we can to boost our libido can only be a positive thing.

Aphrodisiacs: The Food of Love?

So can that romantic meal be tailor-made to boost sex drive? Aphrodisiacs have long been considered a way to spice up our sex life so is this really an effective solution? While many people question whether certain foods really can activate that animal urge within us, science has shown that, yes, there are foods that can put you in the mood.

With this in mind, here are 10 foods that have been scientifically proven to boost that lagging libido.

1. Watermelon

Usually thought of as a refreshing snack on a hot summer’s day rather than an aphrodisiac, watermelon contains an ingredient that relaxes blood vessels in a way that is similar to the effect of viagra. Researchers at the Texas A&M Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Centre ^[1] found watermelon contains citrulline that the body converts into an amino acid responsible for boosting nitric oxide levels in the body and therefore helping to increase libido.

2. Pomegranate

This one is for the men. A recent study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research ^[2] found pomegranate juice significantly increases blood flow in the body due to the high intensity of antioxidants. This meant it had a positive effect when it came to erectile dysfunction.

3. Pine Nuts

Pine nuts are extremely high in zinc – a mineral linked to raising and maintaining good testosterone levels in men ^[3]. Many people are deficient in zinc so upping your intake may boost your health in many ways including your want for more sex.

4. Coffee

This one is for you, ladies. A study ^[4] found that caffeine intake in female mice significantly increased their want to mate compared to those mice that hadn’t had any caffeine. Of course, caffeine is a stimulant and increases blood flow so maybe grabbing a coffee is a better choice of date to get you in the mood.

5. Chocolate

Although not entirely considered an aphrodisiac, dark chocolate does release dopamine in the brain – the feel-good hormone. This can create a better mood and in turn, generating a stronger urge to have sex. An Italian study ^[5] of 153 women found that overall sexual function and sexual desire were significantly greater among chocolate-eaters compared to non-chocolate eaters. However, this isn’t a sure conclusion but maybe an excuse to eat more chocolate.

6. Cloves

They may not seem it, but cloves are a powerful aphrodisiac. As an addition to any meal or cup of herbal tea, cloves have been used in India for centuries as a treatment for lack of libido. But don’t just take their word for it, a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine ^[6], found clove extract increased sexual activity in male rats.

7. Ginseng

Researchers from the University of Hawaii found ginseng was extremely powerful when it came to increasing our desire to have sex. The study involved women taking ginseng supplements who reported a definite increase in libido. Not only that but 68 percent said their sex life improved dramatically. The easiest way to get ginseng in your diet is through ginseng tea but beware of ginseng energy products that contain high amounts of sugar which can actually decrease your libido instead.

8. Saffron

Although one of the more expensive spices, saffron is commonly used in Spain, India and Greece. But it might be time to invest in some as, along with ginseng, this is a superfood when it comes to upping your sexual desire. Researchers at University of Guelph ^[7] have also found that saffron improves sexual performance. Time to add this versatile spice to your meals.

9. Bananas

Bananas contain potassium and B vitamins which provide you with much-needed energy as well as increasing the production of sex hormones. But they also have an anti-inflammatory enzyme called bromelain that helps increase testosterone in men aiding sexual desire and performance.

10. Figs

This one is good news for both men and women. They increase the level of nitric oxide in the body due to the high amount of amino acids and this goes a long way in maintaining normal sexual functions. They are also thought to enhance the secretion of pheromones that sends our attraction levels sky high ^[8] so if both of you get munching on those figs and sex could be on the cards.

The post 10 Healthy Foods Keys to Unlock Your Love Intimacy. appeared first on Lifehack.