Yes, we have heard it before: the body is a temple; you are what you eat.  But did you know that certain foods can actually help your sex life? 

You may have heard that oysters are an aphrodisiac. I won’t go that far, but studies have shown that foods high in zinc like oysters are beneficial for sexual health. The element zinc is essential for the production of testosterone. This hormone is essential both to women and men and plays a large role in sexual health. Here is how it works: if the body is low on zinc, it can lead to low testosterone, thus leading to possible low libido for both sexes, and for men, erectile dysfunction.   Are oysters too slimy for you?  Ok, I am with you. How about meat, seafood, legumes, nuts, dairy, and my favorite- dark chocolate. Yes, you read that correctly. A 100-gram bar of 70-85% dark chocolate contains 3.3. mg of zinc, or 30% of the USDA’s required daily value.

Your sexual health and your ability to orgasm is tied in to the health of your blood vessels. Improving and increasing blood flow to the sexual organs is a very good thing. With diminished blood flow, women may have trouble with lubrication and achieving orgasm. For men, this can present as erectile dysfunction. Want to keep those blood vessels healthy, elastic and wide open? Try eating a diet high in fruits and veggies. Berries are high in antioxidants and these antioxidants work to protect the damage to the blood vessels caused by free radicals. Sources of free radicals include cigarette smoking, too much sun exposure, industrial solvents, certain drugs, pesticides and environmental pollutants.  

And don’t forget your veggies, especially dark leafy greens such as arugula.  These greens are high in nitrates, and nitrates derived from plants help to widen the blood vessels, allowing for increased blood flow. Other nitrate rich vegetables to add to your salad might include fennel, cabbage, parsley, endive, celery, carrots and green beans. 

We can’t talk about foods that increase sexual health without talking about omega-3 fatty acids. You can find this healthy fat in flaxseeds, tuna and salmon, and studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s all about healthy circulation and open blood vessels, and omega 3 fatty acids help improve blood flow.

My word of advice: a big salad a day may keep the sexual health doctor away! Your mom was right- eat your fruits and veggies!