One of the key condiments in almost all of our favourite local foods – chilli not only packs a punch in the taste department but it can also spice up your bedroom romance. Chili peppers contain the chemical capsaicin which gives you that burning sensation when you eat spicy food - it increases your metabolic rate and gives you more energy and stamina.
Capsaicin absorbs rapidly into the skin or the mouth, creating a tingling sensation in small doses and heightening skin sensitivity – all of which mirrors the signs of arousal (sweating, tingles, rapid heart rate, and flushed cheeks).
Asparagus
Asparagus is rich in folate, a B vitamin that helps increase the production of, a neurotransmitter that helps you orgasm. Asparagus also contains the plant chemical protodioscin, which has been shown to boost arousal and even help battle erectile dysfunction in some men The right levels of histamine are vital for a healthy sex drive in both men and women.
Blueberries
They say that the brain is the largest human sex organ, and these little blue fruit might just be the perfect choice for keeping your brain in good shape. Blueberries encourage the body to release dopamine, an energizing, stimulatory neurotransmitter. They also guard us from the loss of dopamine cells usually seen with aging. The antioxidants in blueberries can, among other things build a stronger immune system, increase oxygen levels in your body and blood circulation.
Cold-water fish
One food group that guarantees an increased of sexual stamina is the cold-water fish. Salmon, sardines, herring, anchovies, and other cold-water fishes are high in omega-3 fats – all of which are important to the brain and nervous system. They also improve your mood, increase your immune system, memory and brainpower, as well as give you glowing and radiant skin.
Oysters
When it comes to sexy foods, oysters are high on the aphrodisiac list. Extremely rich in zinc, it is essential for testosterone production and maintenance of healthy sperm. Even though women produces mush lesser testosterone than men, it also plays an important part in the female libido. Oysters are also a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D, manganese, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Chocolate
As far as classic aphrodisiacs go, chocolate is about as close to perfect as they get. Dark chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that releases the same endorphins triggered by sex and increases the feelings of attraction between two people.
A study published in "The Journal of Sexual Medicine" found that women who consume a piece of chocolate every day had a more active sex life than those who didn't. It’s no wonder chocolate is always given on Valentine's Day.
Banana
This yellow superfruit encourages the release serotonin – a happy chemical into your bloodstream, lifting your mood and calming your nervous system. Bananas also contain potassium, a mineral that increases your muscle strength, an important part in achieving orgasm.
Watermelon
Another superfruit to consume is the watermelon. Rich in L-citrulline, an amino acid that helps improve blood flow - it supports the body by increasing blood flow when it converts to L-arginine and then to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide on the other hand promotes the dilation of the blood vessels. Low levels of nitric oxide are associated with mental and physical fatigue and sexual dysfunction. You’ll also be glad to know that similar to Viagra, L-citrulline increases blood flow to the sexual organs but without the negative side effects.
Garlic
Garlic contains allicin, a compound said to increase blood flow to the sexual organs. Some experts believe that garlic is a very powerful aphrodisiac. But it doesn't work overnight. It is necessary to take capsules or eat garlic daily for about a month to reap its remarkable benefits.
Tomatoes
"Studies show that the tomato component lycopene, a member of the vitamin A family, helps maintain prostate health," says Shari Lieberman, Ph.D., a nutrition scientist and exercise physiologist. Lycopene is best absorbed when tomatoes are cooked with a little oil, as in pasta sauce.
Avocado
Avocado is rich in folic acid for increased energy production, along with healthy fats to improve mood and sense of well-being.
Peanuts
Studies show that the amino acid L-arginine is helpful for improving sexual function in men. L-arginine is used to make nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels. Preliminary studies have found that L-arginine may help with erectile dysfunction. Peanuts are a rich natural source of L-argininie.
Pumpkin Seeds
Like oysters, pumpkin seeds are extremely rich in zinc and promote the health of the male prostate gland. And don't underestimate the power of zinc when it comes to a woman's sex drive. One study found that pumpkin seeds are a great libido booster. Pumpkin seeds are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which act as a precursor of prostaglandins - hormonelike substances important for sexual health.
Broccoli
While virtually all vegetables deserve a place on the super foods list, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are helpful in the prevention of heart disease and cancer. It's loaded with vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, and a phytochemical called sulphoraphane, which may have anticancer (prostate and colon) properties.
A recent Harvard study found that participants who had five servings a week of cruciferious vegetables were half as likely as others to develop bladder cancer, a cancer that affects two to three times as many men as women. This super-nutritious green vegetable may also help lower levels of homocycteine, an amino acid associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Don't care for broccoli? Go for other cruciferous choices like cabbage, bok choy, shredded broccoli slaw, cabbage, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts.
And did you ever wonder where the term "cruciferous" originates? "It is not because they are crunchy vegetables, but when the buds from this group of vegetables sprouts, their leaves form a cross like a crucifix,"says Denver dietitian Mary Lee Chin, MS, RD.
Soybeans
Soy is rich in isoflavones, which protect prostate health and have been shown to lower prostate cancer risk, says Gerbstadt. The latest research continues to strengthen the fact that isoflavones found in soy foods are beneficial for both the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer in men.
And according to one study, "eating 25 grams or about 1 ounce of soy protein a day can help decrease cholesterol," Farrell says.
The FDA has approved a health claim for food labels that says having 25 grams of soy protein per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Try to eat a few servings a day of soy products, such as soy nuts, soy milk, soy cheese, veggie burgers, tofu, or edamame.
What other sex-boosting foods have you tried or heard of?