Can your diet really help your libido? 

All evidence points to the fact it can.

Firstly, let’s just put it out there… these suggestions aren’t going to turn you into some wanton sex goddess overnight because a woman’s libido is a ridiculously knotty subject. But putting clean, healthy foods into your body allows it to perform better on all levels, including sex.

It’s a no brainer. Better fuel means better performance whether that involves going for a run, a HIIT class or hitting the bedroom.

Consuming the right foods and exercising regularly will result in an optimum circulatory system which coupled with an improved diet, can lead to greater sexual stamina.

More so for women than men, sex first starts in the brain.And a better diet also allows you to think clearer and promotes brain health. It also helps you to better manage potential mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety that undoubtedly interfere with a fulfilling sex life.

Put all that together and what’s on the menu matters a great deal when it comes to your libido.

Shock horror, you’ll need to go as natural as possible. No greasy junk food like McDonalds or KFC is going to hit the mark. You’ll need to stick as close to mother nature as she intended. So stay clear of foods with words you can’t pronounce, lots of different ingredients or shelf life of five years.

Here’s a list of 10 specific foods which help increase your libido worth considering. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of libido-enhancing foods, it’ll give you a great start. 

1. Dark Chocolate - It helps to increase both serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. These are your ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitters. An antioxidant found in cocoa known as flavanols also help to increase blood flow and relax blood vessels. This provides ample blood flow to all the right places at the right time. For the best results, go for the less processed varieties.

2. Beetroot - Beetroot is a great source of a compound called nitric oxide that naturally helps to increase blood flow by causing blood vessels to dilate, beetroot is a good food to support sexual performance in both men and women, and will increase blood flow to the right part of the body.

3. Fatty Fish - Fatty or oily fish such as sardines, salmon or tuna are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. These acids increase dopamine in the brain and promote heart health and blood flow.

Also high in vitamin B6 and protein, consuming fish leads to healthier blood production.

4. Pumpkin Seeds - They’re rich in zinc, iron, fibre, protein and potassium. Besides zinc’s ability to improve your eye health, immune function and wound healing, the high concentration of this mineral is especially good for men. If you’re searching for foods that boost libido in males, pumpkin seeds do just that. A zinc deficiency, on the other hand, can result in low testosterone levels.

5. Avocados - Avocados are rich in vitamin B6, potassium and monounsaturated fats. These help to promote good circulation and a healthy heart, both a necessity for a great sex life.

6. Pomegranate - daily consumption of pomegranate juice can significantly increase testosterone levels in women and men, according to studies. Besides potentially increased testosterone levels, pomegranates help to enhance blood flow, thereby improving your libido. Their high levels of antioxidants are the main reason for this.

7. Watermelon - The vitamin B5 present in watermelon is vital for stress management. That’s a good thing since high-stress levels can cause both male and female libidos to plummet. And once you’re in the mood for sex because of lower stress levels, your body will get rid of cortisol after orgasm. This helps to decrease stress levels all the more.

Watermelon can be deemed to be one of the best fruits to increase libido as it also provides other B vitamins which help with sexual endurance and energy production. And since watermelon is a vasodilator (helps to widen blood vessels), it works much like a natural Viagra.

8. Oysters - are extremely rich in zinc, which is essential for testosterone production and maintenance of healthy sperm. And even though women have much less testosterone than men, it also plays a key part in the female libido. Oysters also boost dopamine, a hormone that increases libido in both men and women.

9. Asparagus - Asparagus is rich in folate, a B vitamin that helps increase the production of histamine. The correct levels of histamine are important for a healthy sex drive in both men and women.

10. Celery - Now, celery may not be the food of choice that you dream of when thinking sex, but it is a great source food for sexual stimulation. Celery contains androsterone, an odourless hormone released through male perspiration and turns women on.