Food & Nutrition

6 Nutrition Strategies for a Stronger Sex Drive

Here’s how to eat for a steamier sex life.

Essentials for a Healthy Sex Life

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Some people vouch for the effect of foods on their sex drive, but extravagant claims for many aphrodisiacs are not borne out by scientific studies. While sexual function may be our physical response to a cascade of hormones, sexual drive is basically maintained by an active mind in a healthy body. This is how many times you have to have sex to slow aging.

A healthy sex life depends on good nutrition

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Good nerve function, healthy hormone levels, and an unobstructed blood flow to the pelvic area are essential to sexual performance. To keep these systems in working order, a diet should be based on legumes, grain products, and other complex carbohydrates, with plenty of fruits and vegetables and modest levels of protein; this diet provides plenty of vitamins and minerals. Particularly important are citrus fruits for vitamin C to strengthen blood vessel walls, and low-fat dairy products, enriched or fortified cereals, whole grains, and green vegetables for riboflavin to maintain the mucous membranes that line the female reproductive tract.

Vitamin E and sexual function

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Although there are no confirming clinical studies, many experts believe that without a good supply of vitamin E from oils, margarine, nuts, seeds, green vegetables, and wheat germ, sexual function is likely to suffer. These surprising healthy foods also boost sexual function.

Get going

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Fatigue and depression are common culprits in sexual complaints. These conditions are often linked, and both may be helped by a program of regular exercise, which stimulates the production of endorphins (mood-elevating brain chemicals). In some cases, iron-deficiency anemia may be responsible for fatigue. A diet that includes meat, fish and shellfish, nuts and seeds, legumes, enriched or fortified grains and cereals, leafy greens, and dried fruits helps to replenish iron stores.

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Healthy Eating – Reader's Digest