The Most Effective Aphrodisiac Foods for Men and Women to Boost Libido

If you feel that your (or your partner’s) libido isn’t what it used to be, there is no reason to despair. Don’t just resign to the fact that intimate relationship is not on the cards that often anymore. Start by improving your diet and including certain aphrodisiac foods that could increase sexual pleasure and enhance your love life.

At the same time, avoid foods that can kill your libido. There is a lot more to a romantic night than a few candles, so find out how you can spice up your bedroom activities once again.

10 Natural Aphrodisiac Foods for Men and Women

1. Watermelon is a natural aphrodisiac

Watermelon might be your natural replacement for Viagra and I’ve also previously written on how to use watermelon as a medicine for great health.

Research from the Texas A&M Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center showed that watermelon’s phytonutrients help relax the blood vessels and may increase your libido. Plus, water-rich watermelon is low in calories, so you needn’t watch the size of your helping.

If you are looking for more reasons to eat water melon, read my article about the 13 healthy reasons to eat watermelon.

2. Berries

Black raspberries and strawberries can help you enhance your libido.

Blackberries work both on your libido. Experts from the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, suggest consuming 10 black raspberries before hitting the bedroom.

From a scientific point, strawberries contain lots of antioxidants and vitamin C. Antioxidants boost the health of your heart and arteries, and together vitamin C they positively influence the male’s sperm count.

3. Avocado

Avocado’s positive effect on the libido is just another reason to consume this superfood. Its monounsaturated fats protect your heart and arteries, and make it less likely for any kind of erectile dysfunction to develop. A circulatory push is always good when it comes to your libido. Also, avocado’s abundance of antioxidants, vitamins E and B6, and potassium will further enhance your body’s performance.  There are also many other reasons to eat avocado.

Eating avocado is also one of the 70 habits featured in my e-book 70 Powerful Habits For A Great Health which will guide you how to take positive steps to improve your wellness and overall health.

4. Figs

Sweet figs could act as an aphrodisiac and they are the perfect dessert to put you in the right mood. They act as stimulants and increase the production of pheromones, your happy hormones. If you are looking for more reasons to eat fig you should read my article about using figs as a natural remedy.

5. Broccoli

When choosing your veggies, don’t miss out on the benefits of broccoli. Rich in vitamin C, it improves the circulation, and has been considered a booster for the female libido. You can prepare it any way you desire, and give your bedroom life a fresh outlook.

Broccoli is a true superfood that is also featured in my e-book about superfoods which is part of the Natural Health Revolution Program. This program will help you to achieve your health, nutrition or weight loss goals.

6. Lettuce

Who would guess that a bowl of lettuce can put you in the mood? Lettuce contains an opiate that boosts your libido and as such has aphrodisiac properties. So be generous with your salad helpings and observe your intimate life and waistline improve simultaneously.

According to the ABC science, the ancient Egyptians used wild lettuce as an aphrodisiac.

7. Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a superfood that gets overlooked, and should feature on your menu more often. Rich in potassium that fights high blood pressure, they can be particularly good for men to ward off erectile dysfunction.

There have also been some speculations that sweet potatoes could help those with infertility as they are rich in beta-carotene.

8. Almonds

This delicious snack is rich in zinc, selenium and vitamin E, which all promote sexual health. Forget oysters (often full of toxins), and have a handful of these nuts packed in omega-3 fatty acids. Almonds are great for your health as they have other amazing health benefits.

9. Sesame seeds

When you prepare hummus, be generous with tahini (sesame paste). Sesame seeds are another great source of zinc and will boost your sexual health.

10. Eggs

Next time you can’t be bothered cooking an elaborate meal, go for simple eggs without any feelings of guilt. Eggs are high in protein, so they will help with your libido. They contain L-arginine – an amino acid that protects the heart and treats erectile dysfunction.

In fact, eggs are healthier than most people imagine and don’t have as many calories as you might think.

5 Aphrodisiac Spices and Herbs for Mean and Women

1. Cloves

Include cloves in your meals and beverages. In India, cloves have traditionally been used to help with male their libido. They also cure bad breath and make you into a more alluring kisser.

For something a little special, mix cloves with cinnamon and cumin and enjoy a multifaceted aphrodisiac.

2. Ginger

Ginger’s medicinal value is widely recognized and I’ve also explained how to use ginger as a medicine for great health. Now, you can add ‘libido enhancer’ to its list of benefits. Raw or cooked, ginger aids the circulation and has a positive effect on your performance in the bedroom.

Ginger is also one of the herbs I mentioned in my e-Book The Herbal Remedies Guide.

3. Ginseng

Ginseng can be an excellent aphrodisiac food (especially to women). According to a study conducted at the University of Hawaii. Females who were given a ginseng supplement, boosted their libido in just a month, and 68% of them reported more satisfaction in the bedroom.

4. Saffron

If you have access to saffron, consider using it to add flavor to your food. One way to prepare it is to soak it in hot liquid for 15 minutes and then include it in your favorite rice, barley or quinoa dish.

5. Horny Goat (Epimedium grandiflorum)

The Epimedium grandiflorum plant is known in many other names, some of them are the Horny Goat Weed and Yin Yang Huo. This herb, found throughout Asia, has aphrodisiac qualities, and horny goat extracts are commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to boost male & female libido, treat erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as other conditions like pain, fatigue, osteoporosis and more.

According to legend, this plant was discovered by a Chinese goat-herder who noticed sexual activity in his flock after they ate the weed.

This herb has been used in TCM for more than 2,000 years, and although little research has been done on this herb and libido, it has a long history of successful use, and many health practitioners, not only in Asia, but also in USA, endorse it and recommend it to improve libido.

Horny Goat – The Research

A 2008 lab study from the University of Milan found that a compound in the herb blocks the effects of an enzyme that restricts blood flow to the penis. The suspected active component of horny goat weed – called icariin – appears to act similarly to some drugs used for ED, help to increase blood flow and improve sexual function.

The study even indicated that horny goat weed could theoretically work better and with less side effects than current drugs for ED. However this is still a laboratory test and more research is needed to prove its efficacy and safety in people.

How To Use Horny Goat

Because horny goat weed is still an unproven treatment in conventional medicine, there is no established dose. Be sure to follow the relevant directions on the product label and consult your doctor before using.

Usually two to four 500 mg capsules per day should be enough to help with heating up the libido. Most users will notice a mild to moderate effect on the third or fourth day of use.

The horny goat weed  (like this one) is sold as a health supplement, usually in raw herb, tablet, or capsule form and sometimes blended with other supplements such as maca root extract.

Safety Notes

It seems that most people tolerate short-term use of horny goat weed relatively well, as long as they take the recommended dosage. Other side effects can include upset stomach and dry mouth. In some, horny goat weed may result in irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, nosebleeds, and mood changes.

People who have health conditions should not use horny goat weed without their doctors’ approval. Also if you take any medications, talk to your doctor before you start using horny goat weed as it can interact with other drugs like blood thinners, aspirin, birth control pills, antidepressants and more.

Using horny goat weed with nitroglycerin can be extremely dangerous and can even be fatal due to the potential for severe drops in blood pressure.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and children should not take horny goat weed.

Don’t use this herb for a long period of time or in high doses.

Libido Killer Foods to Avoid

Just as food can enhance your libido, it can also kill it. If you value your libido, an overall healthy diet is highly recommended. When your body feels well, this will likely reflect on your mood.

Processed and fatty foods

Avoid ‘bad fats’ and processed sugars. Saturated and trans fats, present in fried and baked foods, will affect your circulation and heart function. Furthermore, fats clog the arteries and reduce the supply of oxygen to vital organs. Also, when you eat sugary foods, your blood sugar skyrockets. This lowers the libido and makes you less keen to enjoy your partner.

Processed foods are also one of the top 5 cancer causing foods to avoid and in addition most of the processed food contain at least one of these top 10 worst food ingredients.

Meat

Red meat is often high in saturated fat and cholesterol and damages your cardio-vascular system. In addition, according to a study published in 2006 in Chemical Senses, women find men who eat lots of meat to have a less attractive body odor.

Alcohol

Alcohol can make you less inhibited, but it’s also a central nervous system depressant, so the initial kick soon turns into a low. What’s more, a few drinks can cloud your judgment and make you do things you might regret the morning after.

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