Foods to boost mood and libido

We all know that a glass or two of red wine may lead to an interesting evening, but what other foods can we incorporate into our lives if we wish to increase our mood and libido? Unsurprisingly, the same healthy foods that we are constantly advised to use if we want to improve our lives in general.

Here are a few you might want to consider:

Spinach and other dark leafy greens, green tea, ginger, and chilies are said to lead to increased blood flow which might be good for men.

Red meat, due to its iron content, might be good for women who are more susceptible to lacking iron which can lead to tiredness and stress – these are definitely not mood boosters.

Bananas and potatoes, as they are high in potassium, fight the negative effects of salty foods on blood flow.

Salmon and omega rich foods such as avocadoes, nuts and seeds increase blood flow and can also improve the brain’s dopamine levels which influences a desire to socialize more.

Chickpeas and nuts: these are rich in zinc, which have a positive effect on testosterone and growth hormone, and thus impact our ability to perform physically.

Specifically for men, nuts, watermelon, oats and garlic all contain nutrients that positively impact blood flow and have been associated with decreased incidence of erectile dysfunction.

Move it

Exercise increases blood flow; it also increases strength, mobility and sometimes flexibility, as well as boosts confidence, which are all important.

 Try to avoid these

Salty foods impede blood flow and increase bloating – not an aphrodisiac at all!

Highly processed foods as these are not nutrient dense, and it is those vital little nutrients that keep our blood flowing smoothly, our hormones at optimum levels and our bodies running the way they should, which are all essential to getting and staying in the mood.

Alcohol (especially beer), marijuana, soft drinks (especially diet), high sugar foods, foods that contain trans-fats: basically all the foods that you know aren’t that healthy tend to have a negative effect on libido.

Point to note: One-off consumption of the above foods probably will not provide extreme results, but by incorporating the recommended foods into your lifestyle you may see some pleasant outcomes.

Don’t forget about the delivery – any food can be a libido lifter if the circumstances are right: be it a surprise candlelight dinner, a thoughtful lunch made with love or simply picking up your partner’s favourite protein bar on the way home from work. Eating the right foods and exercising can enhance your sex life, but so can a little bit of care and attention, try these tips out and see what gets the best results for you.