What do chocolate, oysters, and asparagus have in common? They are all foods that are looked to as aphrodisiacs — found to naturally boost libido and stimulates sexual desire. But when it comes to sexual wellness, food can do a lot more than just boost your libido. In fact, what’s on your plate can be the key to transforming your erection health and sexual function.
It’s true: The food that you eat can have a drastic impact on your sexual wellness… and could make you more likely to deal with erectile dysfunction. But what should you be eating and how should they be prepared?
Here’s what we found.
What Does The Heart Have To Do With It?
Firstly, let’s address how the heart connects to sexual wellness. Heart health connects directly to sexual health, especially for men. Erectile dysfunction is often the first sign of a cardiovascular issue. So keeping the heart in top condition is vital for staying in sexual health.
Some consider sex to be a form of cardio exercise. Prevention writes that sex could reduce your risk of a heart attack. “A study tracked the sexual activity of middle-aged men over a 16-year period and found that those who had sex twice a week or more had a much lower risk of a heart attack than those who had sex once a month or less,” the article writes.
CNN corresponds this; writing “sexual performance is dependent on the ability of our blood vessels to respond to sexual stimuli by forming nitric oxide, a compound that dilates them and allows blood to flow to the genitals…”
What Foods Should I Avoid?
Before understanding what promotes good health on your plate, we should address what you need to avoid. According to Healthline, bread and cheese are at the top of the list of foods to avoid. Why? Turns out that they don’t absorb well into the body — they’re high in FODMAP, or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, meaning they could lead to high levels of gas.
What Foods Should I Eat To Ensure Sexual Wellness?
No matter what your diet label is, eating a diet that is strong in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water are the best for overall wellness. But what should be on your plate for ensuring sexual function? Putting a focus on healthy foods that emphasize good heart health will be the way to go.
What foods are best for optimum sexual health? Pumpkin and pomegranate seeds, avocados, and green vegetables (think spinach, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts) are highly recommended. Well+Good also list seafood as good food to incorporate for heart health, for being high in protein. Antioxidant-rich berries (raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries especially) help to keep blood flowing through clean vessels. Minimizing high-fat foods can also make a big improvement in your likelihood to have ED.
This week, challenge yourself to incorporate more heart-healthy food onto your next meal. Taking care of your sexual health doesn’t have to be a drastic change — in fact, the change your need could be as simple as a meal away. If prescription medications are part of your strategy to address ED, we encourage you to visit eDrugstore.com’s Erectile Dysfunction page.
