Foods That Lowers Sex Drive: Avoid These For Healthy Libido
Have you ever noticed that your sex drive seems to be lower after a heavy meal or after consuming certain type of foods? Your diet can
have a major impact on your sex drive and unfortunately there are certain foods that can negatively decrease your sex drive. it’s very important to understand that foods can have either negative or positive impact on our sex drives. Our bodies require specific nutrients to function properly, and when we don’t get enough of these nutrients, it can affect all sorts of bodily functions – including our sex drives. Additionally, some foods contain chemicals that can actually decrease libido or disrupt hormone levels.
Overdoing it on alcoholic beverages is known to decrease sexual desire, arousal and sensitivity. One 2023 study concluded that alcohol consumption was the only significant risk factor for sexual dysfunction. If you’re going to imbibe, opt for one glass (yes, just one) of polyphenol-rich red wine. The antioxidants in red wine can help widen blood vessels and increase blood flow to key arousal areas.
As ultra-processed foods have made up more and more of the Standard American Diet (SAD), obesity has been on the rise. Overall BMI
of the American population has gone up
at least 10–14 percent since 1971. Since obesity is so closely tied with low libido, nix as much of the processed foods as you can from your diet and replace them with whole, less processed options.
While a lot of large-scale scientific evidence doesn’t yet, hormones used to treat non-organic, factory-farmed meats might interfere with normal hormone production. Avoid the processed meats
(a 2022 showed how it can causes health issues among men) and opt for organic whenever you can to support a healthy libido.
Foods that are very high in sodium, like canned foods and processed foods, can contribute to high blood pressure, which may decrease the flow of blood to the sex organs.
Like factory-farmed meats, conventional dairy is considered to be healthy by many organizations. However, milk, cheese and other dairy products from cow’s milk can have synthetic hormones known as phthalic acid esters (PAEs) that have a negative effect on estrogen and testosterone levels.
Sugar, in general, negatively affects sex hormones. Studies have shown specific and concerning impacts on testosterone levels. In a 2013 study of male subjects, the consumption of glucose decreased blood levels of testosterone by an average of 25 percent, regardless of whether the men had diabetes, prediabetes or normal glucose tolerance. Testosterone levels also remained low hours after glucose consumption.
This is a bit tricky, but it’s best not to overindulge on caffeine if you’re experiencing libido issues. During athletic performance, a small amount of caffeine can moderately increase testosterone, which may also indicate positive effects on sexual performance and drive. However, this increase may not actually be that helpful, because caffeine also increases cortisol levels, which has the potential to induce stress that further lowers libido.
Coffee and teas can be great additions to a healthy life, but keep it under control and avoid caffeinated products at least six hours before bedtime.
It may be convenient, but it’s certainly not healthy. The chemicals found in the lining of microwave popcorn bags (as well as nonstick pots and pans) have been linked to a lower sex drive for men. According to a 2009 study, these types of popcorn bags contain perfluroakyl acids , such as PFOA or PFOS, known to significantly lower sperm counts.