6 Sexual Foods That Increase Sex Drive In Women & Men

Have you ever wondered if there are certain foods that increase sex drive?

Sexual health is an important part of your overall health and well-being. And sexual drive is a critical part of that. But what happens when your libido is low? You may be surprised to learn that you don't have to turn to pharmaceuticals.

In addition to all being plant-based foods, did you know that apples, beets, berries, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts are all also foods that increase sex drive?

Want to know more? Keep scrolling to learn how effective these foods can be!

 

6 Plant-Based Foods That Increase Sex Drive

Here are six of the top plant-based foods that increase libido.

1. Apples

An apple a day not only keeps the doctor away, but it appears it could also boost your libido!

So, why are apples considered one of the top foods that increase sex drive? Well, according to a 2014 study on 731 women, the 343 women who reported eating apples daily reported significantly better sexual health and experiences than those who didn’t eat apples daily. [1]

The researchers believed that this effect was due to the fact that apples contain polyphenols and antioxidants, both of which promote blood flow to sexual organs.

2. Beets

While more research is needed, beets have ranked as one of the top foods that increase sex drive for hundreds of years.

In fact, beets have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat a variety of illnesses—from constipation to joint pain to gut imbalances to low libido. [2]

As for the “why” … beets are known to help your body produce nitric oxide, which is critical for keeping your blood vessels open. In fact, nitric oxide is often sold in supplement form and marketed to those with erectile dysfunction for this very reason!

3. Berries

Did you know that berries are one of the top foods that increase sex drive? Here’s why ….

Berries are rich in vitamin C (especially strawberries), and studies have shown that vitamin C not only boosts testosterone but also increases sperm quality. [3]

Additionally, vitamin C is known to help combat stress, which is a known libido-killer. By supporting your body’s ability to handle stress, you’re more relaxed and therefore more easily aroused.

4. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate ranks in as one of the best foods that increase sex drive for a few reasons.

First, it’s known to help combat stress as well as improve overall mood.

According to one study, dark chocolate had significant effects in people who reported higher anxiety at the beginning of the study. Those individuals experienced reduced cortisol levels as well as improved metabolic parameters typically associated with high-anxiety. [4]

Additionally, some studies have shown that women who eat more chocolate report improved sexual health, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. [5]

Finally, dark chocolate is known to increase dopamine levels in the brain, which is the chemical known to impact the brain’s pleasure response. [6]

5. Pumpkin seeds

One of the more surprising foods that increase sex drive is pumpkin seeds.

Interestingly, a study found that pumpkin seeds boosted libido and improved erectile dysfunction in animals. [7]

This was likely due to the omega-3 fatty acids contained in pumpkin seeds. These fatty acids are known to promote sexual health by acting as a precursor of prostaglandins.

6. Walnuts

Finally, walnuts round out our list of foods that increase sex drive, based on scientific findings.

Studies have shown that men who regularly consume nuts such as walnuts each day for six weeks received improved sexual function. Moreover, their semen quality improved as well! [8]

Specifically, the total sperm count and the vitality, motility, and morphology all showed significant improvements.

 

 

Well, there you have it! If you're looking for ways to boost your libido, consider consuming some of the above-mentioned foods before turning to pharmaceuticals. They're not only tasty, but they don't come with the unwanted side effects that you can get with certain medications.