Since ancient times, certain foods have been recognized as potent aphrodisiacs. Pomegranates, for example, have long been considered a symbol of fertility. Apples were also used in love rituals as many Europeans during the Middle Ages believed that the red fruit has aphrodisiac properties.
What the ancients believed about these aphrodisiac fruits isn’t entirely wrong. Many foods that the ancients believed had aphrodisiac properties have been validated by science to actually have libido-boosting properties. Here are 5 delectable sex drive boosters you should try.
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Avocados
The Aztecs are believed to be the first documented avocado eaters, and they had an interesting name for avocados. They referred to the avocado tree as ahuacuatl, which literally translates to testicle tree. That’s because avocados usually dangle low in pairs, just like testicles.
Although the Aztecs may not have been able to explain exactly why avocados are good for your sex life, modern science has shown that these delicious fruits are actually rich in nutrients that can benefit your reproductive and sexual health. For instance, avocados contain magnesium, beta-carotene, potassium, protein, and they’re particularly rich in vitamin E.
Vitamin E is one of the essential vitamin-antioxidant that keeps your sperm healthy. In addition, vitamin E and potassium are also associated with improved testosterone levels. And when your levels of testosterone rise, your libido also increases.
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Tomatoes
Several fruits contain lycopene but not as much as tomatoes do. Lycopene has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years due to its positive effects on prostate health. In fact, it’s known as one of the most powerful antioxidants for fighting cancer and improving your heart health.
Men who are at risk of prostate cancer are taking lycopene supplements to keep their prostate glands healthy. On the one hand, men who already have prostate cancer are benefiting from the cancer-fighting properties of lycopene.
Studies also indicate that those who are taking lycopene supplements for their prostate health are also experiencing an increase in their libido. In addition, lycopene supplementation has also been tied to improved fertility.
The positive effects of tomatoes on your sexual and reproductive well-being are not only due to lycopene. Tomatoes are also rich in folate, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Folate and vitamin C are both essential for your fertility. Folate helps you produce normal spermatozoa while vitamin C helps protect your spermatozoa from oxidative stress.
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Dark Chocolate
Nobody’s really in the mood for sex when they’re feeling blue. Chocolates can help you get in the mood by increasing your dopamine levels. When it comes to libido, dopamine is the key neurotransmitter that’s responsible for regulating your desire for sex. In addition, dopamine enhances your sexual motivation and controls your genital reflexes.
Aside from increasing your dopamine levels, cocoa and dark chocolate are also rich in polyphenols that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. If you’re planning a hot date, make sure you have some dark chocolates with you because you’ll most probably need a nitric oxide boost and dark chocolates can give you that.
The polyphenols in cocoa actually promote endothelial NO synthase, which means your nitric oxide levels will increase, resulting in vasodilation. In short, dark chocolate can help improve your blood circulation so that oxygen-rich blood gets properly delivered to all the right places, including your genitals.
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Pomegranates
When we’re talking about natural libido enhancers, pomegranates always make it to the list. That’s because this ancient symbol of fertility contains various nutrients and antioxidants that actually promote sexual health and increase fertility.
When it comes to antioxidants, you’ll get significantly higher amounts of antioxidants from pomegranate juice compared to green tea and red wine. In addition, pomegranate juice can also help increase your levels of testosterone, and that’s bound to result in an increase in your sex drive as well.
Pomegranate juice can also help lower your anxiety levels and improve your mood. And that’s a big plus for your libido, considering that anxiety is one of the known libido killers. In fact, anxiety is also tied to sexual performance issues such as erectile dysfunction. When you drink pomegranate juice regularly, you can prevent that from happening.
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Red Grapes
If you’re experiencing sexual problems because of low testosterone levels, then you should go for red grapes. And make sure that you eat the skin because that’s where you’ll find resveratrol.
Known as an effective aromatase inhibitor, resveratrol blocks aromatase from binding with testosterone and converting your male sex hormone to estrogen. If you already have low testosterone levels, you can’t afford to have what little testosterone you’re producing to be converted to estrogen because that will further reduce your testosterone levels.
Aside from red grapes, you can also try drinking a glass of red wine every day. Not only does red wine contain resveratrol but it’s also known to help improve cardiovascular health. That’s because red wine contains procyanidins which help keep your blood vessels healthy.
And you want your blood vessels to function well if you don’t want to experience problems with your erection. Healthy blood vessels mean ample penile blood flow. On the other hand, when your blood vessels are damaged and malfunctioning, it means impaired blood flow to your penis, which can result in weak erections.
Supplement For Increasing Your Sex Drive
Another great way to increase your sex drive is by taking a supplement that can effectively enhance your sexual performance and improve your libido. That’s because natural male sex enhancement supplements contain several pro-sexual herbs such as maca and horny goat weed.
The pro-erectile properties of both maca and horny goat weed have been validated through numerous scientific studies. These two herbs are both extremely effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Moreover, maca and horny goat weed are also known to enhance male fertility by improving semen parameters.
These supplements also contain powerful aphrodisiacs like muira puama, Tongkat Ali, and Butea superba. The herbal ingredients contained in them are known for their testosterone-boosting and libido-enhancing properties.
Plus, it is extremely effective in improving erectile function and increasing sexual stamina. It also contains Tribulus terrestris, another testosterone-boosting herb that’s also used for treating erectile dysfunction. Tribulus terrestris also contains strong antioxidants that help promote sperm health.
