8 Foods to Boost Your Libido Naturally
RACHEL MORROW
Too tired for sex? Too busy? Too distracted? Or has your sex-drive gone MIA?
Much like our mood, your sex drive can fluctuate in as little as one day. This can be from so much more than just one specific hormone (especially for women). Many lifestyle choices are going to play a role in your sex-drive! What’s your exercise routine like? Are your stress levels high? Are you eating a nutritionally balanced diet?
Then we can dive even deeper into specific hormone imbalance that goes beyond your daily choices. Are your hormones balanced on a chemical level in your body? While this requires working one-on-one with a Health Practitioner, there are many other ways to begin boosting your libido naturally and Mother Nature has done an amazing job at supplying the goods!
Don’t be shy, a lack of libido is common, so if you are in a dry spell, it’s okay! It happens to everyone. We’re here to get your sex drive sizzling again, starting with adding some more of these foods into your diet. These foods have been proven to help boost your libido naturally and they just so happen to be some of our favorite foods, and easily found at your local markets or supermarket.
1. Chocolate
Kicking off the list with one of our favorite foods! A good quality dark chocolate might be the perfect food to help you find your missing libido. Research has found that chocolate assists in the production of phenylethylamine and serotonin in the body. Both of these compounds are known for their mood-enhancing effects. Not all chocolates are created equal, so follow this list when choosing your chocolate fix!
2. Walnuts
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, these little guys are going to help boost dopamine and arginine naturally. Arginine is an amino acid that increases the production of nitric oxide in the body which helps to relax the blood vessels and increase circulation.
3. Avocado
There’s a great reason the ancient Aztecs relied on Avocado to ignite their desires. Avocados have a high level of folic acid which helps metabolize proteins and give you more energy. They also contain vitamin B6 which can help increase male hormone production and potassium which helps to regulate woman’s thyroid gland - two elements that help increase libido in both men and women.
4. Mushrooms
Boosting your dopamine levels is an important piece to the puzzle if you are wanting to increase your sex drive. By increasing your dopamine levels, you will increase your pleasure feelings. The main precursor to dopamine is L-theanine, which mushrooms are rich in so boost your mushroom intake and feel the effects!
5. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are rich in lignans, a type of phytoestrogen that assist in balancing your hormones naturally. They contain a high value of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which acts as an antioxidant and said to increase blood flow to your sexual organs.
6. Asparagus
They might not be the sexiest of vegetables, but Asparagus contains aspartic acid which is great for energy production. Asparagus is also rich in Folate, a B vitamin that assists in regulating the production of histamine. Histamine is important for a healthy sex drive in both men and women.
7. Figs
The potassium and fiber in figs will help balance your hormones and enhance your sex drive. Figs have long been associated with arousal since Greek times. Although the research is not well documented, it has been said that figs also enhance the production of pheromones, the chemicals our bodies make to attract partners.
8. Maca
Historically this Peruvian vegetable root has been well known for this ability to increase energy and boost sex drive. Maca is an adaptogenic herb, meaning it had the ability to support your adrenals and help to manage your hormones response to stress.
It’s important to remember there are a number of factors that contribute to a healthy sex drive. All of us will experience hormonal highs and lows that directly impact our sexual desires. But it’s possible to take advantage of your body’s natural chemistry and enhance your libido by incorporating the right foods into your diet!
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Alongside being a qualified nutritionist and our social media guru, Rachel is Food Matters’ Recipe Developer. She’s forever dreaming up and developing new recipes for the community to enjoy.