25 Superfoods for Better Sex

Turn up the heat in the bedroom with these foods proven to boost libido.

Milk

"Mother nature's prescription for a healthy sex life is high-fat animal foods, such as whole milk, cream, and butter," says Kaayla T. Daniel, nutritionist and author of The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food. We require plenty of fats, but the natural, saturated kind (not the trans fats in margarine and grease) if we're going to produce sex hormones.

Oysters

"You know what they say about oysters..." men have uttered to dates as they order the well-known aphrodisiac. The seafood has earned a spot on our list because it's high in zinc, which helps produce sperm and increases libido. Try ‘em cooked or raw.

Asparagus

The health nuts are on to something. As if veggies couldn't get any better for you, Genie James, author ofIn the Mood Again, recommends natural hormone-balancing foods to help boost your sex drive. In the book, James devotes an entire chapter to "sexy-healthy eating" to keep your sex life hot and sizzling. Start with asparagus!

Liver

It may be hard to find someone who enjoys eating liver, but it can make you a better lover, so why not try it? The reason: Liver is loaded with zinc, which is necessary to maintain optimum levels of testosterone. Inadequate zinc levels prevent the pituitary gland from releasing hormones that stimulate testosterone production, James explains. "Zinc also inhibits the aromatase enzyme that converts testosterone into excess estrogen."

Red Wine

After surveying 800 women between the ages of 18 and 50, researchers at the University of Florence found that women who drank two glasses of red wine a day had a higher libido than those who preferred other alcoholic drinks or were teetotalers. Drinking pinot noir, cabernet, and other reds not only helps decrease inhibitions, but makes one more sexually active.

Eggs

We knew we loved the incredible, edible egg for a reason! Not only are eggs the biggest symbol for fertility, they're also high in B5 and B6, which help balance hormone levels and fight stress.

Caviar

Duh, caviar are eggs too! They have the same B5 and B6 vitamins that chicken eggs have, which balance hormone levels.

Bananas

Penis jokes aside, bananas really are a "sex" food. They're loaded with potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and the bromeliad enzyme—ingredients that enhance the male libido.

Flaxseed

"Lignans are another exemplary phytoestrogenic food group," says James. They're present in a wide variety of plant foods, including seeds (flax, flax seed oil, pumpkin, sunflower, poppy), whole grains (rye, oats, barley), and fruits (particularly berries). "Flaxseed is by far the richest dietary source of plant lignans," says James.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are not only a healthier alternative to French fries, they're also a good "sex" food. It's simple—your body transforms the beta-carotene found in the vegetable into vitamin A, which keeps your vagina and uterus in good shape, plus helps produce sex hormones.

Coffee

Who knew that the thing most of us have to drink every morning would be the very thing that can enhance sexual arousal. Caffeine can put you in the mood. We might think twice next time we drink it during our morning meeting.

Chocolate

Eating chocolate makes us happy because it tastes so good. Not to mention, it's a chemical thing! Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulating alkaloid similar to caffeine. It also produces serotonin, which makes us feel good.

Pumpkin Seeds

They're one of nature's richest sources of zinc, which is said to elevate testosterone levels. Now you'll know what to do with the waste from those carved jack-o-lanterns on Halloween.

Nutmeg

According to Indian researchers, nutmeg extract is an aphrodisiac. Simply put, it stimulates nerve cells and blood circulation, which boosts sexual desire. Add that to our coffee, please, and we'll have a double dose of sexy.

Truffles

Pig sex with truffles? Sounds preposterous, right? However, truffles have been said to contain an ingredient similar to the male pig sex hormone. There's a special chemical in truffles, which is a yummy fungus used in fine foods, that girl pigs are attracted to. Have you ever had truffle mashed potatoes? Yum!

Sunflower Seeds

Like oatmeal and pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds have a similar effect to boost hormone levels and sex drive, thanks to the good oils they contain.

Fish

Fatty fish to be exact has been linked to increasing sex drive. Try mackerel, herring, trout, sardines, and albacore tuna, which contain the omega-3 fatty acid. That's one reason why men struggling with low libido take a fish oil supplement. 

Peanuts

Peanuts are high in zinc, which has proven to help the body produce healthier sperm by increasing sperm count and motility. "A USDA study found that semen volume dropped 30 percent when zinc intake was low," James says. "Research published in theAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that male volunteers who consumed low amounts of zinc exhibited decreased semen volumes and serum testosterone concentrations."

Edamame

Don't forget about edamame! It's rich in phytoestrogens, too. "Did you know that the number one Japanese porn star was 72 years old? Many postulate that to the fact that the Japanese diet is rich in phytoestrogens," James says.


Roast Beef

Like liver, roast beef is also loaded with zinc. But for nutrition’s sake, if you’re going to eat roast beef to amp up your sex drive, go with the low-fat kind, such as that found in the beef shoulder, shank, and chuck, which contains about 10 mg of zinc per 100 g serving.

Mutton

Like liver and roast beef, lamb also has a lot of zinc in it. Try Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes made with the meat. You can also try eating mutton.

Avocado

Avocados have been seen as a feminine fruit for its shape. Maybe it’s just that sexy, or maybe it’s the fruit’s B6 and potassium that gives the system a sexual boost. Spanish priests in history forbade them to their parishioners, in fact.

Oatmeal 

By the same token, oatmeal is also in that phytoestrogenic food group. In fact, anything with bran, like wheat and rye, are also on that list. So what are you planning to eat for breakfast tomorrow? (Wink, wink!)