Did you know that what you eat can influence your “sexual appetite” as well as your overall health?
Yes, it can!
Healthy eating is important (I recommend the Keto-Green diet).
But on top of eating a healthy diet there are actually specific foods that provide you with the best nutrients to help with mood, energy levels, hormone balance, blood circulation and your friskiness factor.
Most of you likely have heard that oysters can raise testosterone levels and can help with libido.
But who out there knows that pumpkin seeds and asparagus can help get your engine revving?
And what about chocolate?
Chocolate and romance have been intertwined for almost two centuries! Is there any truth behind that?
What does the science say about chocolate as an aphrodisiac?
According to my brother, Robert Cabeca, who is a chef and an expert in all things chocolate (read his blog), Chocolate contains many mood enhancing and energy producing chemicals!
- So it’s no wonder we associate chocolate with friskiness, happiness and sexual cravings and satisfaction! Theobromine – a mood elevator
- Caffeine and sugar – a mood elevator & energy booster
- The endorphin Phenyl ethylamine (PEA) which produces an energy boost
- It contains a stimulating chemical known as phenylethlamine, that stimulates the sense of excitement and well being.
- Tryptophan – which stimulates serotonin production in small amounts which does elevate mood and an arousal response
- Anandamide – binds to dopamine receptors in the brain creating feelings such as heightened sensitivity, euphoria and a sense of well-being
- N-acyl-ethanolamines (NAEs) – slow the breakdown of Anandamide, prolonging its effect
- L-arginine – increases nitric oxide and promotes blood flow to “certain” organs, which increases sensation, satisfaction, and desire
And there are other foods and herbs that create these same sensations…
Great foods that can be natural aphrodisiacs!
Check out these other healthy foods that are known to increase libido. I’ve also included a few notes on herbs and botanicals that are associated with being libido boosters, too. Of course, maca is number one on MY list!
Foods that are good for your sexual appetite also have other significant health benefits as well (plus...did you ever notice libido-boosters often look just a bit sexual as well?):
OYSTERS:
Oysters and most shellfish also contain arginine, an amino acid that the body uses to make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide will relax and expand your blood vessels, much like the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, thereby increasing libido.
One note about foods containing zinc. Zinc is so vital. It helps with fertility, immunity, prevention of hair loss, hormone balance, insulin sensitivity and dopamine production. And many people – and many men – have low zinc levels, especially over the age of 60. I often suggest 50-60 mg daily, but definitely discuss with your doctor as to what is right for you. Oysters are a great way to bump up your zinc.
ASPARAGUS:
This long green spear is incredibly nutrient-dense, including being packed with antioxidant nutrients that will fuel your body!
AVOCADOS:
And don’t avocados just look sexy somehow?
PUMPKIN SEEDS:
FATTY ACID FOODS (FISH, NUTS, OLIVE OIL): SO IMPORTANT, AS THEY PROVIDE ENERGY AND STAMINA!
Fish and seafood should be one of the main dietary components in a “libido diet,” mainly because of their higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for cellular diffusion and brain and nerve cell health. In particular I like mackerel and salmon.
Omega-3’s are also a precursor of prostaglandins , hormone-like substances that play a large role in sexual health.
Walnuts and almonds are another major source of essential fatty acids.
Oh! Oiling up is good inside and outside the body! Fish oil lowers inflammation and lowers sex-hormone binding globulin which makes more testosterone free and available.
HERBAL/BOTANICAL TREATMENTS:
You can google these treatments to learn more although I will talk a bit about maca below. There is research on maca relating to both its libido-enhancing effects as well as it helping improve infertility.
Some of these herbal and botanical treatments work to provide adrenal support. Others are thought to provide a relaxed state of mind. And others are thought to increase blood flow and/or optimize testosterone and estrogen metabolism. You should always discuss supplements – even natural ones – with your doctor.
MACA!
Last but not least, a tuber root vegetable grown for centuries in Peru, called maca root contains a combination of starches, amino acids, minerals, fatty acids, and vitamins which is nature’s perfect formulation for balancing hormones.
It works better for menopausal women than HRT, since rather than supplying hormones for the body, it works on the pituitary and hypothalamus glands and stimulates them to make endogenous hormones in the appropriate amounts within the body itself.
Maca is actually consumed as a food in Peru, and I designed my energy and hormone balancing Mighty Maca® Plus drink with Maca as one of the main 40+ superfood ingredients it contains.
Libido Boosting Recipes! Free for you!
Check out this link for 3 delicious libido-stoking recipes from my friend Leanne Ely.
