PSA. These foods may be unknowingly crushing your libido.

Sex. When it’s good (like properly good) it’s something we all enjoy.

But what many might not realise is that lifestyle, health and nutrition can all play a role in how enjoyable it is. So, when these aspects of our life are out of whack, the effects can trickle through to the bedroom making it harder to get in the mood.

Sex is a basic human response that is part of a balanced life. It contributes to many things such as connection with a loved one, stress relief, improved sleep, good circulation which can help with everything from focus and concentration to reducing inflammation, and even boosting your immune system.

When we don’t take enough time to slow down and connect with ourselves and others, the effects of stress and anxiety can manifest physically causing intimacy issues. The desire for sex is based upon chemical reactions in the body so libido is connected to what is happening on the health front.

Listen to this episode of Sealed Section, all about libido. Post continues after podcast. 

Nutrition is vital for hormone balance and when someone’s diet becomes nutrient-poor it affects all areas of their physical and mental wellbeing from happiness to stamina - which can mean it’s harder to ‘go the distance’ or for some men to even get started.

We have to remember that food isn’t just energy; it has the ability to create a hormone imbalance which can reduce testosterone levels.

Stress is also a major contributor to hormone disruption, impacting sex hormones - oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

There are definitely times when being “too tired” is a legitimate reason to choose sleep over sex, but if you’re noticing this response is becoming more common than not, it might be time to tune in to what’s happening at a deeper level.

Food can have a profound effect on your sex life so when it comes to spicing things up in the bedroom, so it might be time to also spice things up in the kitchen.

Nutrition is an easy, natural boost for any lagging sex drive, so the next time you’re not ‘in the mood’, try adding some good mood food to your plate.

What to eat for a higher sex drive:

Avocados provide a great energy boost which is great for stamina. Packed with minerals and omega-3 fatty acids, avocados naturally provide a mood boost and vitamin B6 can help regulate sex hormones and lift libido.

Dark chocolate is a natural sex enhancer and a great aphrodisiac to get you back in the mood. It increases blood flow through the body, lifts dopamine levels which are responsible for the pleasure state, and reduces cortisol in the body leaving you feeling relaxed and stress-free.

Ginger is literally the best way to spice up your sex life. This warming herb has been credited with increasing sex drive and boosting overall sexual performance. It increases circulation in the body, including to both the female and male reproduction organs, which can stimulate arousal and help with sensation.

Oysters are nutritionally rich in zinc, a nutrient that is essential for the maintenance of healthy sperm and boosting testosterone production. It also assists and plays a role in the female libido as well as providing a dopamine hit.

Bananas are loaded with potassium and B vitamins which keep energy levels up as well as containing bromelain, responsible for increasing libido and reducing impotence in men.

Maca is a root vegetable and “super food” that has been shown to assist with a low libido when tied to depression, with a study finding that it can assist with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. It’s just one of many ancient adaptogens becoming popular again to help keep moods and hormones balanced. 

Psst! Here are the juiciest findings from the Mamamia sex survey. Post continues after video. 

What not to eat if you're trying to boost your sex drive:

Alcohol, especially in excess, can lead to erectile difficulties and can impact on the ability to orgasm for all genders. Due to alcohol being a depressant and lowering neurotransmission levels, it can reduce arousal and stimulation so moderation is key.

Fried food can be a pleasurable experience at the time, but it’s another one to have in moderation. The Trans-Fats found in fried foods can disturb our body chemistry when over-consumed. It’s one to look out for when trying to conceive as it can interfere with gestation in women and an abnormal sperm production in men too.

Coffee is the first stimulant we reach for when we need an energy kick, however too much caffeine can lower your sex drive by raising your anxiety levels as a result of a cortisol spike. When we consume coffee, cortisol rises and it can affect our adrenal glands meaning they underperform, just like your libido, which leads to lacking DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), which is also essential for testosterone production.  

Cheese, particularly some types on supermarket shelves, can contain synthetic hormones which can affect the body’s natural ability to produce oestrogen and testosterone, which are responsible for keeping the libido high. It’s best to consume fortified calcium sources which are greater for overall sexual health.

Lexi Crouch is a registered yoga teacher, nutritionist (Bachelor of Health Science - Dietetics & Nutrition at Endeavour College of Natural Health), motivational speaker and advocate for Eating Disorders Queensland. You can visit her website, here and her Instagram here. 

Feature Image: Mamamia.