Nutrition to Support Your Libido

With many of our sex lives falling into the same monotony and routine that comes with busy, stressful lives, it is no wonder that so many of us are now turning to natural options to boost our sex drive and inject a new lease of passion into our everyday. Though a change in diet cannot promise a total upheaval in our desire, there is certainly evidence to show that certain food groups and more specifically, certain items of food, can

help encourage a consistent rise in our libido, offering the possibility of a newly revived sex life.

Though it is unlikely that certain foods will wholly change our desire for intimacy, gaining a greater understanding of how we fuel our bodies will support us in happier, healthier physical and mental health. So what should we be looking to incorporate into our diets?

1)   Zinc

One of the many compounds we need in a healthy and varied diet, Zinc has the benefit of supporting blood flow, which in turn, has positive effects on the blood flow to sexual organs. Research has shown that Zinc may have a direct impact on levels of testosterone, a hormone which is paramount to maintaining a high libido. Indeed, Zinc has been proven to positively effect numerous sexual functions, including testosterone levels, erectile health and blood flow, prostate health and fertility. With this in mind, having a diet enriched with zinc only has benefits. So, which foods are richest in Zinc? It may come as little surprise that a food incredibly rich in zinc is the renowned aphrodisiac, the oyster. Infamous as a passion inducing delicacy, Oysters naturally high levels of zinc pose a wonderfully organic way to introduce more Zinc, and hopefully more passion, into your life.

Though there is no concrete evidence that eating oysters alone will directly alter your sex life, their nutritional value and vitamin rich basis provides compelling proof they could support your overall health, sexual health included.

2)   Saffron

Saffron is considered a delicacy both in cuisine and ancient medicine. Even whilst it has been used as a natural aphrodisiac, modern medicine has highlighted that there is genuine evidence to support its use in this area. Indeed, research conducted from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences found that ‘the compound crocin was effective in boosting sexual stamina and libido in men. Other studies found that among women, those who ingested saffron experienced higher levels of arousal and increased lubrication than those not ingesting saffron.’[1] What this suggests, is that the incorporation of saffron into a healthy and varied diet, may noticeably improve the quality of sex. Famous for its distinctive orange colour and delicate floral flavour, including saffron in your diet may help to inject spice in more than one way! Simply add saffron to your favourite risotto recipes, pasta dishes or roasted vegetables for a touch of luxury and a plethora of health benefits! Thank us later.

3)   B Vitamins

B Vitamins are essential for processing lipids, carbohydrates and proteins to generate energy. Indeed, B1, B2, B3 and B5 all help us to create adenosine triphosphate, which fuels our muscles. This, combined with B3, B6 and B12 help with the production of testosterone and are also essential for the circulation of blood, including the sexual organs. They are supportive in the healthy function of the adrenal glands, which produce the body’s sex hormones, a vital part of maintaining a normal libido. Incorporating the B vitamins into the body has never been easy; nuts, seeds and avocadoes are all foods incredibly rich in B vitamins. For vitamins such as B12, fish, eggs and dairy are all rich sources of this energy boosting vitamin. For B3, try kale, artichokes and wholegrains such as buckwheat or quinoa. It has never been easier to incorporate a healthy boost of B vitamins into your diet with delicious, whole foods that are guaranteed to nourish you. Try a light dinner of salmon fillet, kale, toasted cashews and quinoa for the ultimate vitamin B boosting meal.

Whilst there is no defined solution to a higher sex drive, there are certainly methods that can be implemented to support it. Nutrition, and fuelling your body more mindfully, can only ever benefit both your mind and body.

[1] Tahmina Tea, 2021