How your diet affects your sex life

How your diet affects your sex life

Many men spend countless hours in the gym working on their physique, aiming to improve their health and stay fit; and, let’s face it, they also do it to improve their chances at a stellar sex life. Little do they know, many factors affecting their sex lives are tied to their diet. Simple things like skipping the drive-thru and drinking a little less at happy hour may drastically improve a man’s libido and radically boost sex drive.

Did you know that food has the ability to reduce testosterone, diminish sex drive, reduce sensitivity, and alter sperm production? Good news: it can also do the exact opposite. Many fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and spices can regulate testosterone, increase libido, and significantly improve sex drive. Bottom line: what men eat affects their sex life. So, why not use food to your advantage?

First things first: Maintaining a healthy waistline is crucial to a man’s sex drive and overall sexual health. According to The Cleveland Clinic, “One study found that men who have a waist size larger than 40″ are more likely to have erectile dysfunction than men whose waists are smaller.” Registered dietician Kristin Kirkpatrick says, “If you’re overweight, lose it so you’ll be more ready to use it.” Bottom line: overeating can lead to weight gain, which can lead to a dwindling sex drive.

Most people are aware that a healthy lifestyle is the key to a good sex life. However, small, simple changes can also affect libido and testosterone levels. For example, cutting out fast food can have a drastic effect on sexual health. According to Medical Daily, “Indulging in greasy foods like burgers and fries is a no-no when it comes to healthy eating and sex. The trans-fat found in fried foods is known to dramatically decrease the male libido. The adverse effects of consuming these trans-fatty acids [also] include an increase in the amount of abnormal sperm production for men," says Dr. Douglas Heise, a chiropractic physician. Who knew that after-work burger and fries had such an effect on your sex life?

Like fried foods, alcohol can have  a negative effect on a man’s sexual health. According to Dr. Maryanne Fisher, psychologist at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, NS, Canada, “Alcohol decreases testosterone, which is the backbone to male sex drive, and can make vasopressin plummet, meaning it might be difficult to achieve an erection; alcohol [also] reduces oxytocin, so the sense of touch is not as sensitive.” Stick to one or two drinks to avoid these effects and maintain healthy testosterone and vasopressin levels.

Modest dietary choices often have drastic effects on a man’s sex life. Next time you’re considering that late-night snack or going overboard on the tequila, think again. Instead, incorporate fruits, vegetables, whole grains, vitamins, and minerals into your diet for an instant boost in sex drive.

Who knew reorganizing your fridge and skipping the fast food could have such long-lasting effects?

1. Alcohol Is Lowering Your Libido

According to Dr. Harry Fisch, the director of the Male Reproductive Center in New York City, “Alcohol inhibits sexual responses. Erections are slower to rise and quicker to fall and orgasms are delayed.” Moral of the story? Next time you’re at happy hour, skip that third drink if you’re hoping to get lucky.

2. Fruits and Vegetables Encourage a Stellar Sex Life

Fruits and vegetables are powerful weapons in the realm of sexual performance and health. "[Fruits such as] watermelon contains a phytonutrient called citrulline, which the body converts to arginine, an amino acid that boosts nitric oxide levels in the body, which relax blood vessels in the same way a medicine like Viagra does," says Dr. Brian Clement of the Hippocrates Health Institute. Other foods high in citrulline include garlic, onions, and legumes.

3. Fried Foods Diminish Your Sex Drive

Fried foods, available at most of our neighborhood fast-food chains, are a major danger to men’s sexual health and performance. The trans-fats found in many of our favorite combinations cause a massive drop in libido and can even cause abnormal sperm production.

4. Get Rid of the Processed Foods in Your Pantry

According to Kirkpatrick, “Cookies, candy and other processed foods tend to be high in trans-fat and simple sugars, which may reduce blood flow and cause inflammation.”

5. Overeating Will Jeopardize Your Sex Life

“Consumption of any food in excess leads to weight gain, which is the number-one sex drive killer for any man,” advises Corey B. Schuler, functional medicine nutritionist at the Metabolic Treatment Center. “The worst food that a man can have for his sex drive is too much of it