Latest news with #aphrodisiac
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I'm a nutritionist - here are three foods you need to eat to boost your sex drive
Many factors can affect sex drive, but what you eat can be more important than you think when it comes to getting steamy in the bedroom. Oysters, pumpkin seeds and chickpeas are the ultimate foods to boost your libido, a leading nutritionist has revealed. 'Sexual appetite is closely linked to overall health, and certain foods can help support normal hormone levels, blood flow, and energy—all key factors in maintaining a healthy sex drive,' says Lily Keeling, a nutritionist for healthy meal delivery firm Green Chef. So if your love life is feeling a little lacklustre, your diet could be to blame. Zinc-rich foods like oysters, pumpkin seeds, and chickpeas are especially important, as the nutrient is essential for testosterone production. And it's not just men that need to prevent their testosterone levels from getting low, the hormone is also key for women wanting to increase sexual desire. Zinc is also thought to increase dopamine levels, which can enhance feelings of pleasure. Oysters are famously an aphrodisiac and contain omega-3 fatty acids. This can improve blood flow to the sexual organs, which can help with issues like erectile dysfunction. Pumpkin seeds also contain the essential fat as well as magnesium which make for an added bonus for increasing your blood flow. They are packed with antioxidants like vitamin E which help protect sperm and the prostate from cell damage. Meanwhile, chickpeas can boost sex drive due to its B6 properties. The vitamin is known to regulate testosterone, but it also produces the 'feel-good' hormone dopamine which can increase desire and arousal. It also contains a plant-based chemical known as phytoestrogens, which is said to mimic the effects of estrogen. This can be especially helpful for menopausal women who experience low sex drive as a symptom of their declining estrogen levels.
Health Line
16-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Here's What Happens When You Mix Alcohol and Sex
Alcohol may lower inhibitions and increase desire, but it may also make it harder to get wet (if you have a vagina) or maintain an erection (if you have a penis). The implication that alcohol works like some sort of love potion has been around for ages. It's a common belief that alcohol gets you loosened up, horny, and ready for action. But does alcohol actually have an aphrodisiac effect? Is there such a thing as beer goggles? Will drinking make your orgasms better, or just leave you too sloshed to orgasm at all? Here's a look at how alcohol actually affects your sexual desire, arousal, and performance. Alcohol's effects on sexual desire A drink or two may boost arousal, but it's not a sure bet. At low doses, alcohol may lower inhibitions and produce feelings of euphoria, which may lead some people to be more open or receptive to sexual activity. There's also an element of expectation. People often associate drinking with lowered inhibitions and feeling sexier and more confident. It's kind of like a self-fulfilling prophecy: If you expect to get lucky when you're drinking, you probably will. Heavy drinking, in contrast, is associated with the opposite effect, and alcohol dependence is associated with sexual dysfunction. Alcohol's effects on sexual function Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means that it slows down certain body functions, including breathing, brain function, and blood flow. This can negatively affect sexual experiences in various ways: By making it more difficult to get and maintain an erection Alcohol can affect the ability to get and maintain an erection. This is because: It decreases blood flow to the penis. It depresses your central nervous system. It increases angiotensin, a hormone linked to both hypertension (high blood pressure) and erectile dysfunction. Drinking too much on the regular can also cause permanent damage and erectile dysfunction. By reducing vaginal lubrication When you're aroused, your body prepares for intercourse by increasing blood flow to your genitals, causing them to swell and self-lubricate. Drinking too much can affect these physiological responses and reduce vaginal wetness, resulting in friction and discomfort. By reducing sexual stimulation Drinking large amounts of alcohol can also reduce sexual stimulation or the pleasurable feelings associated with sexual activity. This reduced genital response happens because of restricted blood flow and brain function. It can make sexual activity after consuming large amounts of alcohol not feel as pleasurable as it would otherwise. Alcohol's effects on orgasm Alcohol can make it more difficult to reach orgasm. This affects people with penises and people with vaginas. While one drink may not interfere with blood flow down there, one drink too many can have a physiological, cognitive, and behavioral impact that can cause alcohol-induced orgasmic dysfunction. Orgasmic dysfunction can mean: taking longer to climax or experiencing delayed ejaculation, which is taking longer than 30 minutes to reach orgasm and ejaculate with sexual stimulation having less intense orgasms not being able to orgasm It's unlikely that a couple of drinks are going to prevent you from ejaculating, but drinking too much can. Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly, such as having alcohol use disorder (AUD), can also negatively affect your ability to orgasm. Alcohol's effects on risk-taking A drink or two may have a relaxing effect and lower inhibitions. This might make you more open to exploring new things or engaging in sexual activity. However, drinking large amounts of alcohol can affect your decision making and impulsivity. This may cause you to make decisions you wouldn't necessarily make otherwise, such as engaging in sexual activity without using a barrier method like a condom. Alcohol, consent, and sexual assault Consent is a clear, voluntary agreement to take part in sexual activity. This includes all sexual activity, including: touching kissing oral sex anal sex vaginal sex You need to give and get consent before taking part in any kind of sexual activity, so all involved are sure the sexual activity is wanted and agreed to. Alcohol can impair a person's judgment, affect their ability to communicate clearly, and even make it hard to read what someone is trying to say or express. This can make it hard to have a straightforward conversation about consent. Alcohol doesn't cause sexual assault, but alcohol use can be a contributing factor. Clear consent is necessary before any type of sexual contact. Alcohol doesn't exempt anyone from that. Getting consent before and during sexual activity is extremely important when mixing alcohol and sex. If someone has consumed too much alcohol, they cannot give clear consent. Engaging in any type of sexual activity with someone who's too drunk to give consent is sexual assault or rape. Verbal consent The best way to ensure you have consent is to straight up ask. You can be direct and name or describe the act you're talking about, like, 'Can I kiss/go down on you?' or you can ask them what they want to do. You can also talk about what you both want beforehand and set clear boundaries and expectations. Be sure to check in during, too, by asking if they're still into it and before moving on to another sexual act. Remember that you can both change your mind and withdraw consent at any time, even during the sexual encounter. Nonverbal consent Body language, including facial expressions and hand gestures, can be used to give consent. Make sure it's obvious, enthusiastic, and clear before and during any sexual activity. This is especially important when there's alcohol involved, since drinking can make things fuzzy and impair a person's judgment. Some examples are nodding your head to say yes or shaking your head to say no. Pulling someone closer to you can indicate consent, while pushing someone away or turning away from them shows you don't consent. If someone appears uncomfortable or you're not sure, stop what you're doing and ask verbally. Consent should be obvious and enthusiastic, even if no words are used. What to do if you've been sexually assaulted: Call 911 if you're in immediate danger or are injured. Reach out to someone you trust. You don't have to go through this alone. Contact the police to report the sexual assault. What happened to you is a crime. If you're raped, get a 'rape kit' completed immediately. This can be administered at a hospital or clinic and will be useful to collect evidence, regardless of whether or not you've decided to report the sexual assault to the police. Contact your local sexual assault center to seek counseling. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Best practices to keep in mind Alcohol can definitely muddy things up when it comes to engaging in sexual acts with someone else, but there are some things you can do: Set a drink limit: Stick to it to avoid drinking more than you mean to. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 recommends two drinks or less per day for males and one drink or less per day for females. Pace yourself: Alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Bring protection: If you think tonight might be the night, pack some form of barrier method protection, regardless of whether you're expecting oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Your body, your prerogative: Do not be pressured into doing anything you don't want. Do not try to coerce anyone else into sexual activity.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
7 best aphrodisiacs to boost your libido and put you in the mood
Though the mention of a product like 'sex dust' might raise a few eyebrows, you can take it from me that libido-boosting supplements are worth trying. As a wellness editor and sex educator, I've tried plenty of products that make spurious claims, and several that have earned their stripes. Long gone are the days of novelty products that promise to resurrect your sex life with little evidence as to how they actually work. We are firmly in the era of quality supplements and superfoods backed by clinical trials, so we're dealing with libido boosters that truly deliver – if you know what you're looking for. However, if you're new to the scene, it can be hard to work out what's snake oil and what is a legitimate supplement. That's why I've tried and tested some of the most popular libido-boosting products on the market to see if they stand up to the claims in their marketing. What is an aphrodisiac? Whether capsules, tonics, or spicy chocolates, myriad products use natural ingredients that have been proven to support a healthy sex life. These aphrodisiac ingredients include things like Tribulus terrestris, ginger, maca, cacao, pistachio nuts, ashwagandha and foods high in zinc, like oysters. While the term 'aphrodisiac' can be slightly misleading – you won't see dramatic or instant results from eating a certain type of food or taking a single supplement – the nutrients in these ingredients have been proven to support improved circulation, energy levels and muscle health, which, over time, can have a noticeable impact on sexual function. Other libido-boosting foods include leafy greens like spinach, kale and lettuce. Foods like this supply the body with nitric oxide, which improves circulation, as well as vitamin E, magnesium and calcium, all of which are beneficial to muscle health. Omegas can also contribute to better hormonal health, which in turn can affect your desire levels. If you menstruate, as your hormones shift throughout the month, you'll likely experience peaks and troughs in your libido. Balanced hormones can ensure your libido also stays balanced. 'Healthy fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish and omega-7 supplements, play a crucial role in our overall health, however, they are particularly important for our hormonal health,' says nutritionist Pauline Cox. 'Healthy fats are the building block from which our sex hormones are made.' What causes low libido? For most people, a balanced diet of whole foods should be enough to maintain a steady libido. However, issues like hormonal shifts due to stress, pregnancy or menopause, nutrient deficiencies, illness or injury and certain medicines can interfere with libido. Many people struggling with low libido either suffer in silence or turn to solutions like viagra, but medications like this can be dangerous for some and aren't a long-term solution. They also do nothing to treat the root cause or prevent it. 'Taking Viagra can be risky for both men and women.' Explains GP Dr Bhavini Shah. 'Viagra can lower blood pressure, and cause side effects such as headaches, feeling sick or nauseous, and dizziness. It can also interact with other medicines in dangerous ways." Libido-boosting supplements, on the other hand, can support your sexual health long term. While it's important to understand the cause of sexual dysfunction – be it mental or physical – and to explore preventative and solution-focused treatments like talking therapy and physical therapy, supplements can help by supporting physical sexual health and longevity. A recent study from Lloyds Pharmacy online doctor says that 50 per cent of British men have experienced some form of erectile dysfunction. A similar study also claimed that 40 per cent of women have experienced some form of sexual dysfunction. Dr Shah explains, 'Many women have difficulties with sex at some stage in their life, and for most this is temporary. In most cases, relationship difficulties, partner issues, life stresses, or even recently having a baby can contribute to this. But if you're finding sex is more of a chore than a pleasure, these feelings have been occurring for a long time, or it's affecting your relationship, you could be experiencing female sexual dysfunction (FSD).' Whether this sounds familiar or you're simply interested in maintaining the healthy libido you already have, libido-boosting supplements can both support your sexual health in the long term and give you a lift where desire might be lacking. Aphrodisiac ingredients can benefit men and women, and the nutrients found in these fascinating foods are well worth adding to your routine, especially if you struggle to eat a balanced diet or you experience health issues that affect your sex drive. Read on for the best ingredients and which supplements to take. How we tested Over the years, I've tested a range of health products and routines that claim to boost sexual performance and desire. From diet plans to drinks and supplements, I've become an expert in ingredients that influence sexual wellbeing. I've taken some of the products on this list for many years, and others have been newer discoveries. To discern whether a product does what it claims to, I've taken it for at least a month, but in most cases for several. I've also assessed the ingredient profile and looked at the specific volume of ingredients and their provenance. The term aphrodisiac can often be a misleading one due to the sheer volume of a particular foodstuff or nutrient you'd have to ingest for it to make an immediate impact. For most ingredients that are considered to have aphrodisiac effects, the impacts are best measured over time. Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Emilie Lavinia is The Independent 's fitness and wellbeing editor, she's also a qualified sex educator and an expert on all things sexual wellness. She knows the difference between flashy marketing jargon and a quality product and has used her knowledge of women's intimate health to shape the landscape of adult sex education in the UK. She's a trusted expert on all things sex and wellness, so you can rely on her for the lowdown on a product that's worth buying versus one to leave on the shelf. The best libido boosters in 2025 are:
