“Not only does eliminating meat, eggs, and dairy help protect the planet, it can also have a big impact on something else: our sex life.” Going vegan can increase serotonin levels, which can both boost sex drive and increase happiness. Here’s why a vegan diet can improve your relationship with sex, encourage a more active sex life, and increased libido.
Many vegan foods boost blood circulation and provide nutrients that feed the brain, because not only do we want to boost circulation we want to boost your brain – your sexiest organ – but it also boosts circulation to other parts of your body that you want to work properly.
It’s simple: increased blood circulation = better physical response = better sex.
People who consume more fruits and vegetables are less likely to require certain medications which may reduce libido and sexual performance. Plant-based diets can also help to unclog arteries from the fatty deposits caused by meat and dairy and increased blood flow will inevitably help with sexual activity, affecting men especially and if you really want to improve your sex life, it is vital to eat a whole food diet focusing on plant-based protein sources. Plant-based foods are heavy in zinc and vitamins B, which can increase libido: bananas, chickpeas and, avocados, in particular, are good for this. Going vegan can also increase serotonin levels, which can both boost sex drive and increase happiness. Serotonin levels are also linked with oxytocin levels, the “love hormone” that creates stronger feelings of intimacy and affection Stock up on leafy green, figs, pumpkin seeds and almonds all of which elevate hormones and sexual desire.
Eating for Better Sex
GREENS
Spinach is a potent source of magnesium, which helps dilate blood vessels, according to Japanese researchers. Better blood flow to the genitals, as you’ve learnt, creates greater arousal for men and women. Spinach and other green vegetables, like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, kale, cabbage, swiss chard ad bok choy, are also good sources of our favourite sex nutrient – folate.
THE ‘C’ FRUITS:
One study shows that vitamin C may increase libido in women. Another finds that people who eat foods high in vitamin C report better moods and have more sex. We’ll take that as another good reason to eat more Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables. But there are many other sex and heart-healthy reasons to get enough of this antioxidant. It helps boost blood flow, meaning that both sexes can get frisker, faster. Something else to note, men who consume at least 200mg of vitamin C a day improve their sperm counts and motility, according to research at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Grapefruit contains 120% of the recommended daily allowance of 90mg of vitamin C for men. Other excellent sources are kiwi, mango, oranges, spanspek, strawberries, broccoli, tomatoes and leafy greens. Watermelon in particular are filled with high concentrations of ‘good-for-sex’ phytonutrients lycopene, beta carotene, and, the big one, citrulline, which is particularly exciting for its ability to relax blood vessel,
Studies at Texas University indicate that when you eat watermelon, the citrulline is converted into the helpful amino acid arginine. “Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it,” explains Dr. Bhimu Patil, director of the University’s Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Centre
NUTS AND SEEDS
Pumpkin and sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, walnuts and other nuts contain the necessary monosaturated fats with which your body creates cholesterol – and your sex hormones need that cholesterol to work properly. In ancient times walnuts, long linked to fertility, were thrown at newlyweds for success in conception. The shell, resembles a man’s scrotum; the inside flesh is vulva-like in form – these nuts make a perfectly sexy snack.
Pistachios contain plant cholesterol that can produce a 10-point drop in your triglycerides and a 16-point decline in your LDL (bad) cholesterol, reports the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Brazil nuts are the richest source of selenium a mineral that has been linked to preventing cancers of the prostate and colon.
Pecans deliver the most antioxidants of any nut. Adding them to your diet may reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Walnuts, almonds and other nuts also reduce levels of LDL cholesterol and a compound called lipoprotein that increases clotting and can lead to a stroke,
Sunflower seeds pack the highest natural vitamin E content of any food.
PLANT POWERED PROTEIN
Protein is so important to weight maintenance that you should eat it with every meal and snack. Proteins boost metabolism a little more during digestion than any other type of food. Kidney beans and black beans are full of muscle-building protein. While they may not be the best choice for a side dish if you plan on sex for dessert, building your meal plan around a foundation of beans and legumes will ultimately pay off for you sexually. Many studies show that bean-eaters are leaner and healthier people than people who don’t eat beans. Beans are also full of cholesterol-lowering soluble fibre. A quarter cup of red kidney beans delivers three grams of fibre, plus more than 6000 disease-fighting antioxidants.
OATS AND OTHER WHOLE GRAINS:
Eating oats is one of the few natural ways to boost testosterone (T-levels) in the bloodstream. Healthy T-levels plays a significant role in sex drive and orgasm strength in both men and women.
Oats contains L-arginine, the amino acid that enhance the effect nitric oxide has on reducing blood vessel stiffness. Like Viagra, it helps relax muscles around the blood vessels in the penis. When they dilate, blood flow increases so a man can maintain an erection. Studies show that L-arginine also improves blood flow to the clitoris and tissue surrounding the vulva.
Oats and other whole grains, like whole-grain bread, brown rice and barley are not only great for better sexual health they also promote better cardiac and digestive health .They are slow-burning, complex carbohydrates that won’t drive your blood sugar through the roof. They keep you feeling fuller longer and provide excellent energy.
Try a bowl of raw oats with fresh berries, banana and a drizzle of maple syrup (pure maple sap) before sexy time
Whole grains will provide an even flow of that brain energy and their B vitamins also nourish the nervous system. One of the best whole grains you can eat is quinoa – this nutty-tasting grain is a good substitute for rice or pasta. It has a fewer carbohydrates than regular cereal grains and, even better, it contains all the essential amino acids of a “complete” protein like eggs.
CACAO
You may have always believed that eating chocolate made you happier, but cacao has the facts and stats to make that belief a reality. Cacao contains the “bliss chemicals” phenyl ethylamine (PEA) and anandamide. The body naturally produces these two chemicals when excited; in fact, PEA is naturally released when someone falls in love or engages in sexual activity. Since these two chemicals are also shown to increase libido, it suddenly makes sense why chocolates are such a popular Valentine’s Day gift. There are wonderful vegan chocolate options available to tempt any taste bud; 70% plus cacao being best.
STAWBERRIES AND OTHER BERRIES
Red is sexy. Red is passion.
Researchers in the University of Rochester in the US conducted experiments on the undergraduate students to see if there was any real connection between the colour and sex.
In one, male and female students viewed images of women on red or white backgrounds. The men found a woman’s image on red more attractive than on white, while the female students did not.
In another test, men were asked to rate attractiveness of pictures of women on red, white, grey, green or blue backgrounds. As expected, the men scored the women on the red background as more sexually attractive.
Strawberries can be considered sexy for another reason besides their sensual colour: they are high in vitamin B, folate which helps prevent birth defects, and vitamin C, a potential libido booster. .
Ideal for a great breakfast in bed, so you have energy for round two, both berries contain compounds that are thought to relax blood vessels and improve circulation for a natural Viagra-like effect. Plus, they are tremendous work-horses for pushing excess cholesterol through your digestive system before it can be broken down, absorbed and deposited along the walls of your arteries.
AVOCADO
The ancient Aztecs called them testicles. Hanging in pairs from trees, the fruit is so suggestive that Catholic priests in Spain once forbade parishioners from eating them. But beyond their shape, avocados have a strong connection the testes, the production centre of sperm, due to their high folate
content.
ASPARAGUS
This phallic vegetable has been associated with sex since the first hunter-gatherer spotted shoots popping out of the forest floor the springtime shoots are loaded with vitamin B that increase levels of histamine, a neurotransmitter that facilitates orgasm. Green asparagus spears are rich in rutin, a potent scavenger of free radicals. The crowns also have high levels of the chemical protodioscin which may improve sexual function. “Protodioscin has been shown to boost arousal and even help combat erectile dysfunction in some men”, says Dr. Lynn Edlen-Nezin, co-author of Great Food, Great Sex.
BANANAS
If you suffer from a bit of sexual anxiety, eat a banana before you hook up.
Banana’s deliver the feel-good neurochemical serotonin into the bloodstream, which elevates mood and calms the nervous system. Bananas also contain potassium, a mineral that increase muscle strength, an element crucial to orgasm.
CELERY
Every stalk is packed with androsterone and androstanol, two pheromones that can help men attract women. “When you chew a stalk of celery, you release androsterone and androstanol odour molecules into your mouth. They then travel up the back of your throat to your nose”, says Dr. Alan Hirsch, author of Scentsational Sex: The Secret to Using Aroma for Arousal. “Once there, the pheromones boost your arousal, turning you on and causing your body to send off scents and signals that make you more desirable to women”. This crunchy natural breath freshener can benefit anyone. Packed with the right combination of water, sodium and potassium, celery has been shown to reduce blood pressure and clam anxiety. And since it’s 90% water, you can eat as much of this low-kilojoule, high-fibre food as you want without regret.
CHILIES
Chilies contain the chemical capsaicin, which triggers the release of endorphins. It also stimulates nerve endings, increasing metabolism, raising your heart rate, causing flushed cheeks, sweating and other physical effects that mimic arousal.
FIGS
Considering their resemblance to female genitalia (when sliced in half), its no surprise the fig has been historically lauded as a sexual symbol. The ancient Greeks are said to have celebrated the arrivals of the fig crop with wild sex rituals. Nutritionally, figs make sense as a sex snack.
Like blueberries, they contain more soluble and insoluble fibre than most fruit and vegetables and they are rich in many nutrients important to good sexual health, including potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, calcium and antioxidants. High in simple sugars, a squatter-cup serving ell boost your serotonin levels and provide a quick energy life.
FLAXSEEDS
Sprinkle flaxseeds on your cereal, yogurt or ice-cream for a shot of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are the major building blocks of all sex hormones. One tablespoon of the nutty-tasting seeds helps increase T- levels
MAPLE SYRUP
Loaded with Zinc, Maple syrup (pure Maple sap) is scientifically proven to be a food item that can boost the reproductive system of men. Apart from this, the food item also has manganese which helps in the production of sex hormones in both men and women.
POMEGRANATE JUICE
There are a lot of reasons to eat and drink more of this fruit. When scientists at the University of California studied the pomegranate, they found that it is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that allow blood to flow through your veins – a key component of good sex.
In support of ‘Why Vegans Make Better Lovers’…
A study conducted in 2012 showed that ditching meat and dairy can greatly improve our mood as a result of the consequent natural increase in serotonin levels – and serotonin is what keeps us happy. Other research has even shown that vegans have lower instances of depression and anxiety than meat-eaters do and are more likely to be optimistic about the future. Being happier doesn’t just make us more attractive to potential suitors – it also means we feel better about ourselves. There’s no better aphrodisiac than self-confidence, and the happiness that comes from going vegan is just what’s needed to get busy between the sheets.
Vegans smell (and taste) better. One of the amazing effects that going vegan has on our bodies is changing the way we smell and taste – and all for the better. A 2016 study on body odour found that people eating plant-based smelled significantly better than those eating meat, while some people say that when men eat vegan meals packed with fruits and veggies, their semen tastes sweeter.”
Source: https://www.peta.org.uk/