15 Science-Backed Foods that Boost Sex Drive

Food is our main source of energy; it delivers vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins, and other much-needed nutrients that keep us healthy and strong.

A well-balanced diet is highly recommended for all people who want to have a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of numerous diseases and health conditions.

Sex life is not an exception here!

In fact, some foods can help you revolutionize your sex life by enhancing the libido, providing more stamina, and so much more.

Scroll down to see the best foods to eat for better sex according to science.

Meat

If you’re a meat lover, then you’ll be happy to know that meat can help you have a better sex life. Why?

First of all, meat is a great source of protein, the building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, you name it.

Not only is protein great for your sex life too, but it can also help you if you’re overweight.

One study followed 31 abdominally obese men and results revealed men who adhered to a high-protein diet saw improvements in their weight, erectile function, sexual desire, and urinary symptoms (1).

Pork, chicken, and beef contain carnitine, L-arginine, and zinc, all with favorable effects on sex life.

Carnitine and l-arginine are amino acids which improve blood flow.

Uninterrupted blood flow throughout your body, including genitals, is essential for erections and overall sexual arousal.

Scientists from Italy discovered these amino acids improved erections in 40% of participants as well as cardiovascular health (2).

A separate study found that l-arginine and carnitine improve sperm motility, libido, and overall sexual performance (3).

Since meat can improve libido, it is great food for sex for both men and women.

Bear in mind we’re talking about unprocessed meat, not hot dogs, sausages, and other processed alternatives.

Instead of consuming meat every day, it’s best to do it once-twice a week.

Oysters

Oysters are a well-known libido booster, but it is not uncommon for people to assume these benefits are just a myth and nothing else.

It turns out, oysters can indeed help you revolutionize your sex life by enhancing libido.

A team of American and Italian scientists carried out a study whose objective was to evaluate the impact of oysters on libido sex drive.

Their findings, presented at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, revealed oysters and other shellfish from bivalve mollusks family are rich in amino acids which increase levels of sex hormones.

Basically, the study confirmed the aphrodisiac and libido-boosting properties of oysters (4).

Furthermore, oysters are an excellent source of zinc.

This mineral, as previously mentioned, has a major impact on your sexual health and performance.

For example, a study from the Journal of Human Reproductive Services found intake of zinc plays a role in prolongation of ejaculatory latency, increase in a number of penile thrusting, higher testosterone levels, and improved sexual behavior (5).

Salmon

Salmon and other fatty fish are the best sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, which your body needs to function properly.

Omega-3s are associated with brain and heart health, they prevent arthritis and help manage joint pain, but most of us don’t realize they are also useful for your sexual performance.

Evidence shows that Omega-3s have tremendous potential to lower oxidative stress and reduce the degree of cavernosal fibrosis (the formation of abnormal fibrous tissue in the erectile tissue of the penis) (6).

Due to these effects, Omega-3 fatty acids help improve the strength of erections and allow you to manage this problem if you’re dealing with erectile dysfunction.

Also, these healthy fats prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries and improve blood flow throughout your body.

Apple

Apple a day keeps the doctor away, but it does more than that.

A study whose findings were published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics discovered that eating more apples improves sex life for women (7).

Scientists enrolled 731 sexually active Italian women aged 18 to 43 without the history of sexual problems.

Results showed that women who ate apples on a daily basis experienced improvements in lubrication and overall sexual function.

What makes apples so good for your sex life?

They are abundant in polyphenols and antioxidants that stimulate blood flow to the genital region i.e. vagina and help with arousal.

Moreover, apples also contain phloridzin, a common phytoestrogen structurally similar to estradiol, a female sex hormone.

This particular compound plays a role in vaginal lubrication and female sexuality.

Therefore, eat apples on a daily basis for better sex life.

Beetroot Juice

If you’re looking for natural ways to increase stamina, you should start consuming beetroot juice.

Beets are a great source of vitamin C whose effects go way beyond stronger immunity.

You see, this vitamin can also help improve your sex life.

One study followed women and found that a high intake of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is associated with increased sexual intercourse frequency (8).

In addition, evidence shows beetroot juice can help enhance your stamina.

Scientists at the University of Exeter discovered that nitrates found in beetroot juice lead to a reduction in oxygen uptake and make your exercise last 16% longer (9).

You need this type of stamina between the sheets as well.

Nitrates in beets turn into nitric oxide in the body thus reducing the oxygen cost of physical activity.

You know what to do now, have a glass or two of beetroot juice every day.

You’ll boost your athletic performance, do better in bed, and your confidence levels will increase too.

Red Wine

Let’s clarify something first, you should never use alcohol as a tool to improve your sex life.

It is not uncommon for people to assume the more they drink, the better their intercourse.

That said, red wine can help improve libido.

A study which appeared in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that moderate intake of red wine improved libido, lubrication, and overall sexual function in women (10).

How does wine help? Due to resveratrol and other useful chemicals, it increases blood flow to the genital area, thus helping you get aroused.

Additionally, red wine is a good source of magnesium which takes part in muscle function, heart health, and it is important for testosterone production.

One study showed that supplementation with magnesium increases free and total testosterone levels in both sedentary men and athletes (11).

Don’t think you should start drinking more wine to have a better sex life.

Excessive consumption can hinder your libido. Stick to 1-2 glasses.

Coffee

Can’t imagine starting your day without coffee? Now you have yet another reason to drink this popular beverage.

Coffee has a stimulant effect which doesn’t only keep you alert, but benefit your sex life as well.

The stimulant triggers a chain of reactions in the body that ultimately increase blood flow to the genital area.

Scientists at the University of Texas found that men who drink two to three cups of coffee a day are less likely to develop erectile dysfunction (12).

Moreover, a study whose findings were published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism revealed that caffeine has ergogenic benefits i.e. it has the ability to enhance endurance athletic performance (13).

As you already know, mind-blowing sex requires stamina and endurance, but coffee can provide them.

Peaches and other Fruits

Healthy sex life starts with a well-balanced diet.

You can’t improve your stamina, increase libido, or strengthen erections with junk food.

Those foods have little to no nutritional value which is necessary for optimal health and your sexual performance.

That’s why you should intake consumption of peaches and other fruits rich in vitamin C.

This vitamin works as an antioxidant and protects your body from various diseases, but it also acts as a proper male fertility booster.

Research from the Journal of Medicinal Food discovered that intake of vitamin C improves sperm count, sperm motility, and morphology, and poses as a complementary tool to improve semen quality before conception.

Therefore, if you and your significant other are trying to conceive, then you should consider increasing consumption of vitamin C (14).

Spicy Foods

According to a French study, men who prefer hotter, spicy foods tend to have higher testosterone levels compared to gentlemen who don’t.

The research surveyed 114 men aged 18-44 on their spice preferences and discovered that men with higher testosterone indicated a greater preference for spicy food (15).

This could be due to capsaicin, an active compound found most commonly in chili peppers.

It gets your blood flowing to all the right places.

Separate research found that capsaicin enhances testicular cell proliferation and contributes to the release of testosterone directly or indirectly (16).

Watermelon

Watermelons are inevitable summer food, everyone loves them. What’s there not to like?

They are super delicious and a perfect refreshment on a hot summer’s day.

Did you know they can do wonders for your sex life as well?

Watermelons are one of the richest sources of l-citrulline, an amino acid which your body converts into l-arginine to stimulate the production of nitric oxide.

In turn, your blood flow increases.

One research showed that watermelons have Viagra-like effects to your body’s blood vessels and they also have the potential to increase your libido.

Eat a slice or two today (17).

Carrots

Carrots are rich in carotenoids, potent antioxidant compounds which help the body make vitamin A.

Due to carotenoids, carrots provide a number of health benefits and sperm quality is one of them.

A study from the Fertility and Sterility investigated the effect of different fruits and vegetables on sperm quality and found carrots exhibited the best all-around effects on sperm count and motility (18).

Men who consumed most carrots experienced improvements in sperm quality and performance by 6.5-8%.

Strive to eat carrots on a daily basis. Instead of chips and other unhealthy snacks, opt for carrot sticks.

Ginger

Ginger is a powerful spice known for its amazing health benefits.

The most important nutrients found in ginger include vitamins C and B6, iron, magnesium.

Evidence shows that intake of ginger is positively associated with higher levels of serum testosterone, the weight of testes, and overall androgenic activity (19).

In a study of infertile men, three months of ginger consumption was associated with improvements in fertility and seminal parameters as well as significant increase in testosterone concentration (20).

Garlic

Okay, you have probably never thought of garlic as some sort of food for sex.

What’s romantic or passionate about garlic especially if we bear in mind it’s unique “scent” in the breath?

Benefits of garlic extend beyond stronger immunity, it also benefits your sex life.

A study whose findings were published in the Journal of Nutrition found that supplementation with garlic alters hormones associated with protein anabolism and increases testosterone levels (21).

These results aren’t surprising when you consider garlic is rich in vitamin C, magnesium, iron, calcium, and vitamin B6.

Luckily, garlic goes perfectly with almost all ingredients and it’s easy to incorporate it into your diet.

Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate is a rich source of vitamins C and B6, iron, magnesium, and powerful antioxidants that improve your health and well-being.

Drinking pomegranate juice regularly can give a major boost to your libido.

In one study, men and women who drank pomegranate juice experienced an increase in testosterone levels, which enhances libido in both genders (22).

The International Journal of Impotence Research published a study which discovered that pomegranate juice consumption is associated with improved quality of erections (23).

Why? Scientists theorize that antioxidants from pomegranate juice boost blood supplies to male genitals by raising levels of nitric oxide (24).

Spinach

This is yet another food you would probably never associated with improved sexual health, but its benefits are evident.

Spinach is abundant in numerous nutrients including vitamins A, C, B6, calcium, iron, and magnesium.

However, spinach is an excellent source of l-arginine which is strongly associated with improvement in erections and overall sexual function, according to a study from the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy (25).

L-arginine increases levels of nitric oxide and has a favorable effect on blood flow.

As seen throughout this article, optimal blood flow is crucial for sexual health and performance.

Plus, spinach fits perfectly into a well-balanced diet so the best thing to do is to increase the intake of this veggie.

Conclusion

Food is a cure for almost everything, including weak sexual health and performance.

A wide array of foods improves libido, erectile functions in men, lubrication in women, endurance, blood flow, and so much more.

This article featured fifteen amazing foods you can easily incorporate into your menu.