If they're being honest, when most guys decide to start eating right, it has at least something to do with getting in naked shape. Hey, we all want to look good in bed. But, it turns out, what you eat can do more than make you look good in bed. It can actually make you good in bed. The right foods can up your sex drive, erections, performance, and pleasure. Here's how.
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1. Getting Blood Down South
Nothing happens in your pants (or your partner's) without blood flowing below the belt. That's because nether-region blood flow is responsible for arousal, erections, vaginal lubrication, and, during a good romp in the sack, orgasms, says Michael Krychman, M.D., executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health. To up your blood flow, try cutting your intake of trans fats and refined carbohydrates, suggests Lori Chong, R.D., a dietician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Plus, eating foods that are rich in the amino acid L-arginine, like chicken, salmon, soybeans, and quinoa, triggers the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes your body's blood vessels and helps blood flow where it should.
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2. Boosting Testosterone Levels
Your body needs the right nutrients to produce testosterone. Among them are zinc and cholesterol. For instance, one Western Washington University study found that taking just 30 milligrams of zinc per day improved men's free testosterone levels. Meanwhile, cholesterol is the precursor of the hormone testosterone, and research from the Los Angeles Medical Center shows that switching to a super-low-fat, low-cholesterol diet can actually lower your testosterone levels. Eggs, oysters, lean beef, chicken, and dairy products like yogurt and cheese all pack both zinc and cholesterol for a one-two punch.
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3. Revving Energy
"Not tonight, honey. I'm tired." We've all heard it before and, if we're being completely honest, at least thought it. Eating a healthy diet can put an end to those sluggish nights, boost your desire, and improve your stamina for marathon sweat sessions, Chong says. Aim to get plenty of water (often, dehydration masquerades as fatigue), protein, and whole grains, and steer clear of added sugars and refined carbs, which can toy with your blood-sugar levels to drain you of energy.
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4. Improving Muscle Mass
Apart from helping you look like a sex god, muscle is critical to keeping you humping and pumping like one. A range of protein from whole sources will give your muscles the array of amino acids they need to grow bigger and stronger. Remember, though, eating protein alone won't make you put on muscle. You're also going to have to exercise, Chong says. Might we suggest our Better-Sex Workout?
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5. Spurring Weight Loss
Dropping a couple of body-fat percentage points with healthy eating can turn your sex life around. Research from Duke University shows that having a healthy body-mass index makes you 25 times more likely to be satisfied with your sex life.
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Experts think a combination of psychological and physical issues (weight gain may even decrease your free testosterone levels!) are behind the BMI-sex satisfaction link. To lose weight, Krychman recommends a Mediterranean diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and unsaturated fat.
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