Turns-Ons vs Turn-Offs: The Foods That Affect Your Sex Drive
Putting on a bit of Marvin Gaye and lighting some candles isn’t always enough to get you in the mood for love – the real magic happens when you eat well. Did you know that some foods can bring your sex drive to a screeching halt while others can get your blood pumping? Here’s what you need to keep on and off the menu if you want to get busy between the sheets:
Keep: Vegan Aphrodisiacs
We’ve known for years that vegans make better lovers. But there’s even more good news: many healthy vegan foods are loaded with natural aphrodisiacs – nutrients that boost your and your partner’s sexual arousal and performance.
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Asparagus
Asparagus is high in vitamin E, which increases blood and oxygen flow to the genitals, and potassium, which is important for healthy sex-hormone production, making this delicious, healthy veggie a well-known aphrodisiac. To get the best effect, eat it at least three days in a row. -
Banana
A fruit with a sexy shape, the banana is said to contain chemicals that can lift your mood and make you more confident. Bananas are also famously high in potassium, a nutrient that aids in sex-hormone production and boosts energy. -
Berries
The perfect foods to feed your lover, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are high in vitamin C, which is important for the production of sex hormones and neurotransmitters. -
Carrots
Carrots are bursting with vitamin A, a nutrient needed for producing sex hormones. In men, it’s vital for sperm production. -
Celery
Celery boosts production of aldosterone, an odourless hormone released when men sweat, which acts as a pheromone to turn their partners on. According to naturopath Lisa Guy, “[c]elery also contains chemicals that can help dilate blood vessels and enhance climax”. -
Chillies
These sizzling veggies will spice up your meal and your evening! Adding chillies to your dishes gets your heart pumping and produces neurochemicals known as endorphins, which make you happier. -
Chocolate
Nothing shows your love – and your compassion – better than a box of vegan chocolates for your sweetheart. Chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine, which is believed to stimulate romantic feelings by making you happy and excited. Its natural caffeine provides an added boost by giving you more energy. -
Ginger
Eating meals flavoured with ginger will enhance blood flow to all parts of your body. As long as your arteries aren’t clogged from eating animal flesh, which is laden with cholesterol and saturated animal fat, this power veggie will work wonders.
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Nuts
Men should eat cashews, pecans, almonds, walnuts, and other nuts to take in a healthy amount of zinc, which keeps them potent and prevents prostate problems. Nuts are also high in protein, which gives you the energy you need to keep going throughout the day – and night. -
Pumpkin
Neurological research has shown that the scent of pumpkin pie is a sexual stimulant for both men and women, increasing male penile blood flow by 40 per cent. Pumpkin seeds are one of the best vegan sources of zinc, which is crucial for preventing impotence and prostate problems in men.
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Soya
Soya isn’t just protein-packed and wonderfully versatile – it’s also great for everyone’s sex lives. For women, its nutrients have been linked to less PMS and better lubrication (miaow!). And it has been found to lower men’s chances of developing cancer of the prostate, a vital gland for keeping everything pumping in the bedroom.
Avoid: Animal-Derived Foods
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Cheese
As if the suffering of the 1.8 million cows on UK dairy farms weren’t bad enough, dairy is bad for our health, too. Cows’ milk is suited to the nutritional needs of calves, who have four stomachs and gain hundreds of kilograms in a matter of months, sometimes weighing more than 450 kilograms by the time they’re 2 years old. For humans, consuming milk, cheese, and other forms of dairy can mess with the body’s natural hormone production – and diminish the sex drive as a result. Luckily, plant-based cheeses that help us stay healthy, happy, and sexy are widely available. -
Meat, Eggs, and Dairy
The cholesterol in meat, eggs, and dairy can clog our arteries and slow the flow of blood to all the body’s organs – including those that are vital in bed. Vegan meals, on the other hand, contain no cholesterol or animal fat – and certainly don’t cause millions of animals to suffer each year.
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Salmon
After salmon are killed, their flesh starts to rot and lose its bright colour. To prevent this from happening, fish farmers apply a highly estrogenic pesticide to their dead bodies. When consumed by humans, the pesticide has a negative impact on female and male sex hormones and, as a result, affects our libido. Thankfully, there are loads of vegan fish products available in the UK that will give you that “fishy” taste without harming any animals – or your sex life.
These sexy veggies are just the beginning – eating plant-based brings endless benefits. There’s nothing sexier than compassion, and going vegan is the ultimate commitment to kindness. Luckily, making the transition to a healthy, animal-friendly lifestyle is simple.
To help you get started, our free vegan starter kit has tips and information on going vegan – for your health, animals, and the environment, order a copy today!
