Ok, fellas. Listen up. We’re talking sexual health. There are any number of things that can affect your sexual health. Age, fitness level, medications, and mental state can all make or break your romantic romp. At Todd Couples Superstore in Tampa and New Port Richey, we’re dedicated to helping men like you maximize their sexual experiences!
But one variable most people don’t talk about? Food. That’s right. What you eat can have a huge effect on your ability to get it up and keep it up!
Sex games and sex toys will definitely help, but what you’re eating could be what’s putting a damper on your sexual performance.
Eating the wrong food can negatively affect your blood pressure, energy level, and stamina, all of which can lead to major buzzkills below the belt.
So, what exactly is your libido?
Your libido is your sex drive. The strength of your sex drive is determined by a combination of factors, including hormones and neurotransmitters.
Because sex drive can vary so wildly from one man to another, or vary for a single man throughout different phases of their life, there is no specific “normal” sex drive. Having a low libido is usually something that is identified as a problem by the man himself, or possibly his partner.
The main driver of a man’s libido is testosterone. Low testosterone has a high correlation to erectile dysfunction, while higher testosterone can indicate increased sexual desire.
However, what you put into your body can also have powerful consequences for your libido. Food affects all of our major bodily functions, many of which affect sexual health whether directly or indirectly.
What Foods Are Killing Your Sex Life?
Sugar
A spike in blood sugar can very quickly make your testosterone levels plummet! This is due to the rapid release of insulin in your body. A sudden intake of sugar can make a man’s T levels drop by up to 25%, and levels can stay low for a couple of hours.
Increased sugar intake is also associated with a higher risk of diabetes, which can cause heart disease and erectile dysfunction by restricting blood flow (and sexual health is all about good blood flow).
Processed Foods and Flour
Processed foods, especially all-purpose flour, are usually stripped of many of the nutrients and minerals vital to a man’s sexual performance.
All-purpose flour in particular is often much lower in zinc as compared to whole grain flour. Zinc is found in its highest concentration in the body in the man’s testes and prostate and is a crucial element in sperm production.
Refined grains can also lead to insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes and diabetes-related sexual dysfunctions.
High-Fat Foods
A diet high in saturated fats can lead to arterial blockages, promoting heart disease and causing reduced blood flow to the penis. Again, good sexual health depends on good blood flow!
Like any exercise, sexual activity demands strength, endurance, and stamina. So if you’re eating the kind of fatty foods that put a damper on your fitness game, it’s going to put a damper on your sexual performance, too.
Alcohol
Any man who’s knocked a few back at the bar and then tried to get it on knows that booze can very immediately make it difficult to perform.
While a little liquid courage can help line up an opportunity for sex, alcohol can quickly deteriorate your sex drive in a number of ways.
First of all, alcohol is a depressant, which means it can have a numbing effect on your emotions and sensations, making it hard to feel sexual desire. On top of that, alcohol messes with your reasoning and cognitive ability to control all aspects of your body, including your penis.
And finally, alcohol can cause contraction of your blood vessels, thereby restricting the blood flow necessary for an erection.
Alcohol-related ED is usually temporary, but if you’re a chronically heavy drinker it can have longer lasting effects.
What can you eat to boost your sex life?
Seafood
Oysters have long since been considered an aphrodisiac, and there’s some science behind that. Oysters are rich in zinc, which as we mentioned above is a major player on sperm production.
Salmon is a great source of heart-friendly Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help keep your arteries clean and your blood flowing smoothly. Same with other pink-fleshed fish, such as tuna, sardines, or halibut. These fish are also a source of zinc.
Spinach and Nitrate-Rich Veggies
Most vegetables contain nitrate. Nitrates are transformed in your body to nitric oxide, an important molecule maintaining a healthy vascular system and blood flow.
Spinach and other dark, leafy greens such as parsley and beet leaves have the highest concentrations of nitrates.
Coffee
Yep, good news here, fellas! Americans love caffeine, and an average consumption of 2-3 cups a day has been linked to a reduction in ED.
Caffeine perks up your nervous system, boosts your energy levels, and improves blood flow and helps small blood vessel functions.
Caffeine can also relax your cavernous muscles, thus helping you maintain an erection.
Nuts
Some nuts and seeds can be great sources of zinc and omega-3s. Many also contain L-arginine, which has been associated with improved sexual function in men. So when you’re looking for a snack, consider cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.
Improving Your Libido
Of course, a man’s sex drive is determined by more than just internal factors. Whether you’re happy with your stamina or experiencing ED, there are any number of ways to spice things up in the bedroom, from games you can incorporate into sex, to the wide variety of sex toys and products available at Todds Superstore in Tampa and New Port Richey.
While what you eat isn’t the be-all-end-all determinant of your sex drive, it definitely has an effect.
Overall, your sex life and heart health will benefit from a balanced diet rich in lean protein and vegetables and low in processed foods and saturated fats. Your ability to perform sexually depends on a balance of bodily processes, including testosterone production, increased blood flow, and stamina. Eating healthy, avoiding excess sugar and alcohol, and eating your veggies can help prevent erectile dysfunction and improve your quality of life.
