| No secret that the unhealthy American diet is contributing to an
epidemic of obesity. But there's another hidden epidemic that our fatty
diets are at the root of: a national libido crisis.
One of the
big culprits, for both men and women, is obesity. As a person's weight
soars, their libido plummets, due to biochemical changes that diminish
blood flow. Extra weight also hinders their ability to have
children "with men, it's damaged sperm; with women, it's ovulation
problems. (Manage your weight with more than just food intake.
The good news: With some simple changes to your diet you can revitalize your relationship and dramatically improve your health.FOR THE HORMONE RUSH Eat This! 1-OZ DARK CHOCOLATE 162 calories 11 g fat (6 g saturated) 10 g sugars Chocolate
is full of anandamide and phenylethylamine, two compounds that cause
the body to release the same feel-good endorphins triggered by sex and
physical exertion. Cocoa also contains methylxanthines, which make skin
sensitive to every touch. Aim for dark chocolate, which packs more
cocoa than lighter milk chocolates, and keep portions small.
Not That! WHITE CHOCOLATE White
chocolate isn't technically chocolate, since it doesn't contain any
actual cocoa "which means no heightened skin sensitivity, or rush of the
feel-good hormone serotonin.
FOR ENERGY Eat This! 6-OZ SIRLOIN STEAK 414 calories 24 g fat (10 g saturated) 46 g protein Protein
has been shown to naturally boost levels of dopamine and
norepinephrine, two chemicals in the brain that heighten sensitivity
during sex. Your steak is also packed with zinc"a mineral that boosts
libido by reducing production of a hormone called prolactin, which may
interfere with arousal. Not That! AN ENERGY DRINK While
the caffeine and sky-high sugar content will initially leave you
bursting with energy, you're setting yourself up for a major crash not
far down the line. Additionally, Canadian scientists found that
maintaining a diet high in sugar can temporarily lower your
testosterone levels, which in turn can sap your sex drive whether
you're a man or a woman. See, the more testosterone you have, the
higher your arousal levels. Too much sugar sends your T into
hibernation and your libido along with it.
FOR POWER Eat This! Ã,½ CUP VANILLA ICE CREAM 137 calories 7 g fat (4 g saturated) 14 g sugars 2 g protein Ice
cream has high levels of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that
build your muscles' energy reserves and boost your libido. All that
calcium"200 milligrams in the typical bowl "can also make you more
sexually charged, since the muscles that control sexual response need
calcium in order to contract properly. Not That! TOMATOES They're
great for you in other ways, but tomatoes' lycopene and phytofluene can
decrease testosterone levels. The effect isn't dramatic, but you may be
better off skipping the marinara sauce if you want to get saucy. FOR PERFORMANCE Eat This! 1/2CUP BLUEBERRIES 40 calories 10 g carbs 7 g sugars Forget
Viagra. Mother Nature's original blue potency capsules may do even more
for you. Blueberries are high in soluble fiber, which helps remove
excess cholesterol from the blood before it gets absorbed and deposited
on artery walls. Blueberries also relax blood vessels and improve blood
flow. For maximum potency and performance, eat a serving of blueberries
at least three or four times a week. Not That! SODA Soda
pop will sap your sex drive. Too much sugar will lead to spikes and
crashes in your blood glucose, ultimately sapping your testosterone
levels (and your libido).
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