Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, a balanced diet can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and promote overall health.
But did you know that certain foods can affect extremely specific body parts? For example, sweet potatoes, apples, and carrots are found to be good for your prostate and penis health.
Now, that an increasing number of men are suffering from reproductive health issues such as prostate cancer, low testosterone levels, erectile dysfunction, and infertility, wouldn’t you be inclined to eat these penis-friendly foods more often? So if you are interested, read on as we list down food items that can help boost your sexual health.
Tomatoes
Start with tomatoes because this lycopene-rich vegetable is packed with reproductive health benefits. Lycopene in tomatoes helps prevent prostate cancer while antioxidants can help improve blood flow which results in stronger erections. Tomatoes might also be beneficial to male fertility and sperm quality as they seem to significantly improve sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.
Spinach
Spinach boosts Popeye’s physical might to the extreme, allowing him to even break the laws of physics at times. Spinach’s strength-boosting effect on the popular cartoon character might be exaggerated but not fictional. Spinach is a super source of folate, a known blood flow-booster. Folic acid plays a critical role in male sexual function and a deficiency in folic acid has been linked to erectile dysfunction.
Apart from folate, spinach also contains a fair amount of magnesium, which also helps improve and stimulate blood flow and has been shown to boost testosterone levels.
Arugula
Another dark, leafy greens that are also associated with improving your sexual health is Arugula. This green salad staple helps block the absorption of harmful environmental contaminants that could decrease libido.
Almonds
Almonds contain essential omega-3 fatty acids that can help increase the production of testosterone and its precursors, which could potentially influence the duration and quality of erections. These nuts are also rich in vitamins and minerals such as zinc, selenium, and vitamin E, which are found to be important for sexual health and reproduction. Selenium can help with infertility issues and, with vitamin E, may help heart health. Zinc is a mineral that helps produce men’s sex hormones and can boost libido.
The Aztecs didn’t name the avocado tree the “testicle tree” for nothing. Apart from looking like your danglers, consuming avocados are found to be actually good for your sexual well-being! They are excellent sources of healthy fats, potassium, and vitamins, which are excellent for getting you in the mood.
This toast-topper favorite also has vitamin E and zinc, both of which have positive effects on male sex drive and fertility. Zinc has been suggested to increase levels of free testosterone in the body, while vitamin E may improve sperm quality.
The more avocado you consume, the more blood flow your body experiences ― which is useful when it comes to sexual performance and in turn, will also help lower the risk of heart disease. Overall, by lowering the risk of heart disease, you also lower the risk of erectile dysfunction because men with heart disease are twice as likely to experience erectile dysfunction.
Figs
Protect your heart and your sexual health by eating sweet figs. Figs are a great source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which improves your heart health. They have a history of boosting fertility and making a great aphrodisiac.
Grapefruit
For men, certain foods can enhance and protect their reproductive health. Grapefruit and other citrus fruits are full of antioxidants, vitamin C, and folic acid all support sexual reproduction among men.
Strawberries
Strawberries are rich in antioxidants that benefit your heart and arteries, promoting good circulation which is found to be crucial for sexual functioning in both men and women. Besides, they’re rich in vitamin C, which along with antioxidants, has been linked to higher sperm counts in men. For more exciting times, dip the berries in dark chocolate, which contains methylxanthines that may activate the libido.
Shellfish
Oysters are popular aphrodisiacs. This is because they are a great source of zinc, which boosts libido. Other seafood, such as shrimp, contains antioxidants and selenium, which has shown to lower the risk of depression by boosting your mood.
Watermelon
This refreshing summer fruit is low in calories but high in potentially libido-boosting phytonutrients. A 2008 research suggested that the lycopene, citrulline, and beta-carotene found in watermelon may help relax blood vessels, and provide a natural enhancement for revving up your sex drive.
Apples
The adage, “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away,” holds. This all-time-favorite fruit has some great all-around health benefits, including some advantages that specifically pertain to penis health. The active compound ursolic acid, particularly found on apple peels has been shown in cell studies to stop the growth of prostate cancer cells by “starving” the cells. Still, you should always follow a medical professional’s treatment plan when faced with prostate cancer.
Chili Peppers
Several studies have found that men who eat a lot of spicy foods have higher-than-average testosterone levels. While this doesn’t mean spicy food gives you testosterone, the chemical capsaicin, present in chili peppers, has been shown to have bedroom advantages. Capsaicin triggers the release of endorphins — the “feel good” hormone — and can rev up the libido.
Carrots
If you need to improve your sperm count, take a leaf out of bunnies’ book and chomp on carrots. According to research, the chemical carotenoids found in carrots, which are also responsible for giving the vegetable its orange color, are associated with higher sperm motility and have a positive impact on semen quality.
Sweet Potato
Another vegetable high in carotenoids is sweet potatoes, which is one of the 14 healthiest vegetables on earth alongside carrots. Sweet potatoes are a great source of potassium, which helps improve blood circulation and helps blood reach the groin region. This, in turn, helps men in prolonging the pleasure and maintaining the erection for a longer period.
Oats
The lowly oatmeal might not come off as sexy but it can be beneficial for reaching orgasm. Avena Sativa (wild oats) is a known aphrodisiac and a rich source of the amino acid L-arginine which has also been shown to treat erectile dysfunction. L-arginine is a natural Viagra that helps penile blood vessels relax, which is essential to maintaining an erection and reaching orgasm.
Coffee
Wash all these penis-friendly food with a cup of coffee for an additional below-the-belt pick-me-up! Studies have found that drinking two to three cups of coffee a day may prevent erectile dysfunction. This is thanks to coffee’s most beloved ingredient, caffeine. Studies have shown that caffeine helps in improving blood flow by relaxing penile arteries and muscles, leading to stronger erections.
We hope that this Below-The-Belt Food List can help improve your sexual health and enhance your sex life. Cheers!