Maintaining a healthy sex life is an important part of our well-being and even our general health.
Some of the benefits of having a healthy sex life include lower blood pressure, better immune system, better heart health, less depression and anxiety, and better sleep.
If you experience issues such as erectile dysfunction or reduced libido, it can affect your sex life, mental health and self-esteem.
Besides medical treatments for these types of problems, you can prevent them with simple changes in your lifestyle.
The best foods to eat before sex are those that help lower high blood pressure (one of the causes of erectile dysfunction), promote better blood circulation, and maintain healthy sex hormone levels. Read on to find out what to eat before having sex.
The 10 best foods to eat before sex
1. Nuts
Nuts and seeds are high in arginine, an amino acid that helps produce nitric oxide.
A small study in 17 men with erectile dysfunction showed that eating 100 grams of pistachios for three weeks improved measures of blood flow to the sex organs.
An added benefit was that the pistachio diet would slightly improve cholesterol levels. This is important because there is a very strong link between erectile dysfunction and the development of heart disease, possibly due to impaired blood circulation. A healthy cholesterol level is just one way to improve your heart health.
2.scallops
Scallops are an excellent source of taurine, an amino acid. Taurine helps improve the availability of nitric oxide in your blood. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, which means it helps relax and open blood vessels to better improve circulation.
If you suffer from erectile dysfunction, it may help to relax your blood vessels to allow blood to flow better.
According to a study on rats, taurine supplementation improved erectile dysfunction caused by drug-induced diabetes. Diabetes can cause erectile dysfunction due to high blood sugar damaging the nerves associated with the sex organs, as well as reduced blood flow and circulation.
The results of animal studies cannot be translated into effectiveness for humans, but it doesn't hurt to include taurine-rich foods in your diet.
3. Beets
Beets are one of the best foods to eat before sex, as they are one of the highest sources of natural nitrates. Your body converts nitrates to nitric oxide, which helps improve blood flow and circulation.
If you're not a fan of beets, beet juice may have similar benefits. According to one study, drinking beet juice increased nitric oxide metabolism in both men and women, regardless of body mass.
4. Garlic
Although you may not want to consume garlic right before sex (it has a strong smell and can linger on your breath! ) Regularly including garlic in your diet can help improve blood circulation.
According to one study, garlic improves blood flow to peripheral tissues like calf muscles. Improved blood flow to peripheral organs could result in improved erectile dysfunction and related conditions such as premature ejaculation, which can be a result of erectile dysfunction.
When your blood circulation improves, your sexual stamina may increase. This can result in better sex and improved sexual performance.
5. Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in flavonols, a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight inflammation and improve blood circulation.
Flavonols also help your body produce more nitric oxide, a very important vasodilator. During times of stress, flavonols can prevent nitric oxide from being inactivated.
Dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa solids is higher in flavonols. The higher the cocoa percentage, the lower the sugar content as well.
If you have blood sugar issues like diabetes, it's important not to overload yourself with high-sugar foods like some chocolates. Consistently high blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels important to sexual health. Dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids contains less sugar than other types of chocolate.
6. Pomegranates
Pomegranates and pomegranate juice are packed with circulation-boosting antioxidants. Like the flavonols, the antioxidants in pomegranates help prevent the destruction of nitric oxide during times of oxidative stress.
Some other antioxidant-rich foods you can eat before sex :
– pecans – blueberries – strawberries – artichokes – kale – spinach
7. Oily fish
Fatty fish like salmon are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 fatty acids may also influence sex hormones like testosterone.
DHA, a type of fatty acid, has been shown to impact testosterone production in overweight and obese men. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and helps stimulate sexual desire (libido). Being overweight or obese can lower your testosterone levels due to hormonal changes due to insulin resistance and in your brain.
8. Blackberries
Blackberries and other berries are rich in anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid (antioxidant). A study of over 25,000 men found a correlation between eating anthocyanin-rich foods like blackberries and a decreased frequency of erectile dysfunction.
Although the study does not prove causation, it further supports the idea that eating foods that boost nitric oxide production can help improve sexual health.
9. dried fruits
Nuts are rich in potassium. Potassium helps relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
High blood pressure is common in men and can contribute to erectile dysfunction. It is estimated that 50% of men aged 18 and over suffer from high blood pressure.
Eating potassium-rich foods like dried fruits in addition to other lifestyle habits can help you manage your blood pressure.
Other potassium-rich foods to eat before sex :
– Beans and lentils – Bananas – Avocado – Potatoes – Cantaloupe – Oranges – Cashews and almonds – Tomatoes – Yogurt
10. Oysters
Oysters are one of the best known aphrodisiac foods. Aphrodisiacs are things that increase sexual desire and can include foods, drinks, and drugs.
One of the reasons oysters can be considered an aphrodisiac is their zinc content. Studies have shown that zinc has a positive impact on arousal. Zinc deficiency can lead to decreased libido.
If you're low on zinc, your testosterone levels can take a hit. One study found that zinc supplementation in zinc-deficient men increased testosterone levels.
If you're not a fan of oysters, you can get zinc from pumpkin seeds, chicken, and cashews.
Conclusion
Circulation problems and high blood pressure are common in men and are one of the main causes of erectile dysfunction. Diabetes, a disease that is becoming increasingly common, can also lead to sexual dysfunction in men.
Some of the best foods to eat before sex are those that help improve blood circulation and lower high blood pressure. Most of the best foods to eat before sex are plant-based foods rich in beneficial nutrients like antioxidants, amino acids, and blood pressure-friendly minerals like potassium.