6 Foods to Eat If You Want to Feel Sexier (And Who Doesn't?!)
You already know that chocolate has a reputation as a potent
aphrodisiac, thanks in part to its high caffeine and antioxidant content and
melt-in-your-mouth texture. No wonder chocolate in all forms is tempting you in
store windows and on your social feed right now, as Valentine's Day is about to
arrive.
But chocolate isn't the only food that can prime you
physically or mentally for a bedroom session. Plenty of others can also put you
in a let's-get-it-on kind of mindset, research suggests. Some amp your libido
and energy, others give you a mood boost, and some simply have a silky, sensual
deliciousness that makes you feel relaxed and indulgent. If you're hoping for
some sexytime this Valentine's Day, put these six expert-recommended
aphrodisiacs on your menu.
Olive oil
Ancient Greeks considered olive oil to be a cure for
impotence, and they're clearly onto something. Rich in monosaturated fats, this
oil can help increase blood flow, says nutritionist Julie Upton, RD. Better
blood flow means more energy and circulation, which can make you feel more
aroused.
Maca powder
Maca is a South American plant cultivated in the Andes for thousands of years. Newly trendy as a powder
you can add to soups, acai bowls, and smoothies, a preliminary study suggests
that it can pump libido—perhaps because it's such a nutritional superstar, loaded
with energy- and libido-boosting amino acids, zinc, and iron.
Bivalves
Oysters have long been considered an aphrodisiac, but they're
not the only seafood that can ignite desire. Upton says that scallops, mussels, and clams
all contain two specific amino acids that increase sex hormone production in
men and women. There's one catch though: These bivalves "must be eaten raw
to score the nutritional benefits," notes Upton. Good thing oysters and scallops can be
consumed uncooked, she says.
Almonds
A candle-lit steak dinner may sound super romantic, but
plant-based protein is actually the best for your sexual health. The top
choices? "Choose nuts," suggests Upton, who adds that the monosaturated
fat in tree nuts such as almonds makes them excellent for heart health—as well
as the health of your private parts, since they help improve blood flow down
below, she says. Consume almonds as a snack, blend them into smoothies, or add
them to your main course as a topping or crunchy crust.
Red pepper
Chefs add hot peppers to spice up a dish—and they can spice
you up as well. Red chile peppers fire up nerve endings, make you sweat, and
give you an adrenaline-boosting energy surge you can put to good use in the
bedroom. Like all spices, they also have anti-inflammatory properties and make
you feel more healthy overall, says Upton.
Tofu
Soy-based foods like tofu are high in protein, providing a
steady energy surge to power sexual stamina. Soy products are also low in
saturated fat and can increase blood flow and potentially boost arousal. And
though it's controversial, some studies have suggested that the natural
estrogen in soy-based foods, phytoestrogens, can supplement your own natural
estrogen, possibly affecting arousal.
Just as important as what you eat, however, is who you're enjoying your food with and the atmosphere you're dining in. Those environmental factors can make it so a food that doesn't have any known aphrodisiac powers still leaves you feeling sexy. "The good news is your brain is the largest sex organ," says Donnica Moore, MD, a gynecologist and host of the podcast In the Ladies Room With Dr. Donnica. "If a pleasant memory from your past involved a particular food, the next time you eat it you may associate it with sexual desire."
