There are several factors which lead to low libido, a condition linked to low blood flowing to the genitals including damage of the nervous centres into the penis, side effects of medication/drugs, radiation of medical treatment, depression, stress and anxiety. Tackling these underlying causes are the best way to treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and nutrition and diet is the best approach. There has been a long-held belief that certain foods, seeds and soups increase horsepower for men suffering bouts of low libido.
In a single ejaculation, 1 mg of zinc is lost. Semen contains a lot of zinc. That zinc lost on the seminal fluid during ejaculation needs to be replenished through food rich in zinc such as nuts, oysters and finger millet. Nutritionists recommend diets including whole grains, certain fruits, specific vegetables, fibre, healthy oils like sunflower oil and its seeds, olive oil and groundnuts.Â
1. Octopus soup
Octopus soup is known to increase sex drive, and boy! the octopus, the ‘chameleon of the sea,’ is a one of a kind creature. It has unique biology as it can change shape and colour, re-grow its limbs and has multiple hearts and brains. The octopus is a good source of iron, omega-3, selenium, copper and vitamin B12. Octopus soup is thus rich in vitamins and minerals but which is also low in fat, making it a great source of complete protein for people trying to manage their weight.
Frying the octopus as calamari or cooking it in butter or oil can add extra fat and calorie content to your meal. The Omega-3 fatty acids in the octopus can lower your blood pressure and slow the buildup of plaque in your arteries, reducing stress on the heart. The Omega-3s can also reduce triglycerides fats in your blood which can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease besides lowering the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat.
It is also rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium, all of which promotes a healthy heart ideal for pumping blood to the genitals, and constant circulation of blood is essential to sustaining stamina, thus improving quality of sperms. Better circulation of blood leads to improved cardiac health, which is also vital for erection on demand. Octopus soup is rich in vitamins and minerals and is known to boost the sex drive. A healthy libido is highly dependent on cardiovascular health and all these factors are useful for sexual desire and libido boosters.
The Omega-3 fatty acids in the octopus can lower your blood pressure and slow the buildup of plaque in your arteries, reducing stress on the heart. The Omega-3s can also reduce triglycerides fats in your blood which can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease besides lowering the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat. Two of the omega-3 fatty acids found in Octopus soup – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – assuage the vagaries of depression and other mood disorders.
2. Groundnuts
Elevated blood glucose and insulin insensitivity cause an imbalance of sex hormones. Groundnuts are rich in L-arginine, an amino acid that relaxes blood vessels and improves overall blood circulation particularly to the penile and clitoral capillaries. Once L-arginine is consumed, the body converts it into nitric oxide, a compound found in Viagra. Testosterone is the hormone that regulates sex drive. Groundnuts regulates sex drive by increasing the testosterone levels as the nuts are low in carbohydrates, but high in unsaturated fatty acids.
The main organ for control of sex drive is the brain and micronutrients such as magnesium and zinc are important for your hormonal balance and brain health. Groundnuts are a good source of both micronutrients and therefore regulates libido through a healthy brain and balance levels of sex hormones. They are rich in zinc, which is essential for testosterone production and maintenance of healthy sperm.
Groundnuts and traditional vegetables increase the sex drive by improving overall blood flow specifically to the penis and clitoris. They are a good source of both micronutrients and therefore regulates libido through a healthy brain and balance levels of sex hormones. The main organ for control of sex drive is the brain and micronutrients such as magnesium and zinc are important for your hormonal balance and brain health.
3. Oyster meat
Oyster meat contains healthy Omega 3 fatty acids that help boost a man’s libido. Most sea foods are aphrodisiacs, as they contain specific amino acids that improve one’s sex drive, though it pays to understand the physical, mental and emotional factors contributing to dwindling fortunes in the libido department. Oyster meat increases blood flow to genitals and constant circulation of blood is essential to sustaining stamina, besides improving the quality of sperms.
Oysters are rich in zinc, which contains minerals that the body needs every day for vital functions. These include cell metabolism, stamina, regulating levels of testosterone, which is the most important male sex hormone. Zinc also helps in treating Erectile Dysfunction in people with chronic kidney disease and oyster contains more zinc than all sea-foods including crabs and lobsters. Men who consume octopus soup, eat crabs, salmon and oysters experience an increased sex drive compared to those who consume less seafood.
4. Grains and vegetables
Among traditional vegetables, experts recommend jute mallow, which has some antioxidants in Vitamin A, C and E which can help the body to kill off cancerous development, especially colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer. Consumption of jute mallow keeps the prostate healthy, boosting libido. Besides, jute mallow also has anti-ageing properties.
5. Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are rich in proteins, zinc and vitamin E, which improves blood circulation crucial in maintaining an erection. Sunflower seeds are highly rated in the libido sector as their consumption lowers the rates of cardiovascular disease, cholesterol and blood pressure. Your sex life may greatly improve if you switch to plant-based cooking oils like sunflower which is rich in ‘healthy’ fats, including polyunsaturated fat and monounsaturated fat. The zinc in sunflower is important in sperm production.
People who eat groundnuts and sunflower seeds/oil have less risk of metabolic syndrome, a major factor for Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Sunflower seeds are also a source of many vitamins and minerals, including zinc and selenium, which supports the immune system, reduce inflammation and fight infection. Besides vitamin B1 the high levels of protein in sunflower seeds boosts energy levels and that “selenium can increase blood flow and deliver more oxygen to your body. Zinc in sunflower is very important in sperm production, and is, therefore, a major booster of libido.Â
6. Pumpkin seeds
Low zinc levels are associated with reduced sperm quality and an increased risk of infertility in men. Pumpkins are rich in vitamins and can boost libido. Their seeds are rich in zinc and they improve sperm quality. They are also high in antioxidants and other nutrients that can contribute to healthy testosterone levels and improve overall health.
7. Garlic
Next time you sit down for a romantic dinner, add a little basil or garlic to your dish. The smell of basil stimulates the senses. Garlic contains high levels of allicin, which increases blood flow and boosts libido.
Conclusion
Stress and depression lead to low libido and when you add diseases like diabetes and obesity, the situation only worsens cases of Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Men with low libido have low sperm count. Junk food lowers sperm count. Junk foods leads to low libido as most are empty on calories which when mixed with low activities leads to fat deposits inside blood vessels impeding free flow towards the genitals resulting in ED.
Men should consume more groundnuts, sunflower seeds, cashew nuts, pumpkins and traditional vegetables like jute mallow, pumpkin leaves, garlic and celery – whose leaves, stalks and seeds are rich folic acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin K, Vitamin C and potassium – which are all libido boosters.
