7 Foods to Boost Your Sex Drive

Need a little boost in the bedroom? It may be time to spice up your sex life. Try eating these foods to help get your sex drive going again.

1. Cayenne Pepper

You may want to consider adding some cayenne pepper to your next meal to not only spice up your food, but also your sex life.

“Hot peppers contain capsaicin, which creates heat and improves circulation and blood flow for erections,” sex expert and yogi Psalm Isadora told Harper’s Bazaar.

Capsaicin has also been shown to induce the release of endorphins in the brain, which produces a sense of euphoria — a feeling that will undoubtedly put you in the mood. Cayenne pepper’s effects are immediate as well, so try eating it before you hope to have sex.

2. Watermelon

Watermelon is healthy and low in calories — about 92 percent of watermelon is water — and it can also boost your sex drive. Watermelon contains citrulline, an amino acid that has blood flow enhancing properties. One study found that taking a citrulline supplement improved erections for men and left the study’s participants feeling “very satisfied with the treatment.”

3. Avocado

Yet another reason to love avocados — they are good for energy and a healthy libido, a combination that’s important for an active sex life. Avocados are full of minerals, monounsaturated fats and vitamin B6, which all help keep your energy and sex drive up. Avocado’s are also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are natural mood boosters that’ll make you more likely to be ready for some action in the bedroom.

4. Sweet Potatoes

Swap out those french fries for sweet potato fries and your sex life might thank you for it. Sweet potatoes are full of potassium, which helps fight high blood pressure, subsequently reducing the risk of erectile dysfunction. They’re also packed with beta-carotene that the body converts into vitamin A, which is allegedly helpful for those who struggle with infertility.

5. Garlic

Garlic may leave you with smelly breath and not seem like a sexy food, but it might give your sex life the extra boost it needs.

Garlic is loaded with allicin, an ingredient that has been linked to increased blood flow to sexual organs and dilates blood vessels. Who needs Viagra when you can just munch on some raw garlic?

6. Raspberries

Raspberries — along with carrots, most nuts and alfalfa sprouts — are packed with vitamin E, which some experts call the “sex vitamin.”

“Vitamin E is known in the world of nutrients as a sex vitamin because it increases the libido for both sexes and heightens desire, sensitivity, and longevity. These foods should be consumed two to three hours before sexual activity,” explained Brian Clement, co-author of the book 7 Keys to Lifelong Sexual Vitality.

7. Chocolate

Last but not least, chocolate can boost levels of desire, arousal and sexual satisfaction, according to one study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Chocolate contains a compound called phenylethylamine (PEA), which releases the same kind of endorphins our bodies release during sex and intensifies feelings of attraction between two people. No wonder it’s so popular on Valentine’s Day.

Related: Post-Sex ‘Afterglow’ Bonds Partners, Raises Satisfaction Levels

Danielle Tarasiuk

Danielle Tarasiuk is a multimedia journalist based in Los Angeles. Her work has been published on AllDay.com, Yahoo! Sports, KCET, and NPR-affiliate stations KPCC and KCRW. She’s a proud Sarah Lawrence College and USC Annenberg alumn.

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