Eat for Better Sex

Foods that rev sexual desire and boost your sex drive.

For centuries, various foods have been rumored to have aphrodisiac properties, though there were few facts to back up those claims. While a single meal or specific dish will probably only provide a psychological boost to romance (hey, there’s nothing wrong with that), what you eat on a regular basis can help rev your engines for passion.

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Boost Your Blood Flow
Some say good sex is all in your head. While your mental outlook plays an important part, there’s no doubt that your heart factors in as well — specifically, the health of your ticker and your entire cardiovascular system.

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Simply put, good circulation promotes good sex: Getting the blood flowing to your nether regions promotes healthy genital tissue and enhances erections in men and lubrication in women, explains Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, sexual health educator at the Kinsey Institute and author of "Because It Feels Good: A Woman’s Guide to Sexual Pleasure and Satisfaction."

So, if you want to rev your romantic engines, follow a heart-healthy diet, advises Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, an American Dietetic Association spokesperson. You’ll reduce your LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol levels in your blood and the potential for plaque buildup on the walls of your arteries — all of which add up to a lower risk of heart disease and, yes, improved circulation for better sex.

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Topping the list for heart-pounding action both in and out of the bedroom:

• Heart-healthy fats. Seafood such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines, explains Dr. Gerbstadt, contains omega-3 oils, which can reduce inflammation, as well as reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. (They’re also connected to improved brain function and reduced depression!). On the other hand, foods high in saturated fat will have a negative effect on your sex life by increasing LDL cholesterol and contributing to plaque buildup. “These types of foods can damage your arteries and therefore [slow] blood flow, not only to the brain and heart, but to the penis,” Dr. Gerbstadt says.
  
  
• Red wine. A recent study found that light to moderate consumption of red wine may lead to improved sexual function in women. But keep it to only one or two glasses (one glass for women and two for men- at the most — consuming too much wine (or any alcohol) can have the opposite effect in the bedroom by decreasing your stamina and drive, and possibly causing mild depression.

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