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Eating nutritious, whole foods is important for staying mentally and physically healthy, but some foods can help your sex life, too. A Mediterranean-style diet is considered one of the healthiest eating plans and research shows it can improve sexual function, including increasing desire, arousal, and satisfaction.
Dr. Clare Bailey suggests these specific foods from a Mediterranean-style diet to boost your sex life.
- Seeds and chickpeas - Plant-based foods including these, as well as flaxseeds and sesame seeds contain phytoestrogens, which are similar to women’s estrogen levels, and can boost a woman’s libido.
- Fatty fish - The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, tuna, anchovies, and other fatty fish promote blood flow to all the important body parts during sex.
- Pistachios - These nuts are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats, plus they help lower blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, and one study finds pistachios can increase blood flow as well.
- Leafy greens - Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are all great sources of magnesium, which has been shown to have a positive effect on testosterone levels. Women have testosterone, too, and low levels of it can cause decreased sex drive.
- Beets - This root vegetable is high in vitamins, antioxidants, and nitrates, which can be good for your sex life since nitrates expand blood vessels and improve blood flow.
- Kimchi - Fermented foods, like kimchi, are loaded with probiotics, vitamins, and minerals and they may help lower stress and anxiety as a result of their impact on the gut microbiome. In one study, those who ate fermented foods had fewer symptoms of anxiety. And less stress and anxiety leads to a more fulfilled sex life.
Read the article at Women's Health