It’s normal for our sex drive to fluctuate throughout life. This is because our hormones aren’t static. This is most notable in women, who experiencing the fluctuations of a monthly menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, but male hormones also fluctuate due to stress, age and other factors.
While some of these scenarios are beyond our control, there are things we can do to level out our hormones and increase, or even decrease the libido, through diet.
We’ve all heard of aphrodisiacs, and for some, they might appear to be little more than far-fetched clichés. However, there is some truth to the idea that certain foods increase your sex drive and stimulate a state of arousal.
Seafood is the most commonly-known libido-booster. Oysters and other shellfish are a great food choice for a date as they’re light, indulgent, and increase blood flow due to high levels of zinc. This helps you to get aroused much more quickly.
Coffee dates are a great idea as the stimulant effect of caffeine boosts your mood and gives you extra energy for sharing ideas and getting to know each other better…not to mention the intoxicating sensory aspect.
Spinach is full of magnesium, which increases blood flow – perfect for getting you in the mood. This creates a stronger erection in men and increases the size of the G-spot and clitoris in women, so everyone finds it easier to orgasm when they’re eating their greens.
One of the most common reasons for women to feel fatigued or overly stressed is a lack of iron. A menstrual cycle unfortunately means that a lot of iron is lost, and it needs to be replaced. Without it, your libido will be lower than you’d like.
Red meat, especially if not cooked too well-done, provides masses of iron. That extra energy means you can be confident that you won’t doze off while your partner’s giving you their best moves.
Bananas are rich in potassium which helps to break down salts and fats within the body. You’ll inevitably feel sexier when you’re not bloated! The potassium also boosts energy levels, so you’ll be able to keep going for longer.
Just as there are well-known foods to get you in the mood, there are also certain foods that you should stay away from before a sexy night. Certain foods can cause bloating, lower your mood, and generally move sex to the bottom of your priority list.
While these types of carbs are known to increase oestrogen levels, unfortunately, they also make you feel bloated and tired. To maintain levels of oestrogen and optimise energy, trying switching to healthier carbs like whole grains or vegetables.
While soy products are great for replacing our normal meat and dairy intake and leave us feeling a little less bloated, excess amounts of soy can actually mean that we don’t receive enough iron. This leads to fatigue and decreased blood flow, meaning it’s more difficult to get aroused and harder to orgasm, too.
Dairy contains lots of chemicals that are used to treat it and make it safe for human consumption. These chemicals are known to have a detrimental effect on both oestrogen and testosterone levels. Think twice next time you ask for a latte – go for the americano instead.
It’s common for people to have sex after a night out. This is because alcohol decreases your inhibitions, makes you more confident and removes the natural social barriers that we place on ourselves.
While this can make for a great night of experimental sex, excessive consumption of alcohol will actually have the opposite desired effect – you’ve heard of “brewer’s droop”, right?
Having lots of alcohol on a date is likely to make you feel sleepy and will decrease blood flow in your sex organs for both men and women, meaning it takes you longer to feel aroused, you won’t feel as much sensation, and it will dull your orgasm, too.
