Nutrition Tips To Boost a Healthy Sex Drive (Guide)

This list of vitamins and foods will promote better sexual health through proper nutrition. Plan meals accordingly so that you naturally consume enough of these vitamins to reap the benefits they have to offer. Keep in mind that consumption of these vitamins for a better sex life and better health should be a lifelong priority, rather than a short-term nutrition or weight loss goal.

Foods Rich in Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential for normal reproduction, and a deficiency of Vitamin A has been shown to cause atrophy of the testicles and ovaries in male and female rats, leading to sterilization. Here are some foods known to be rich in Vitamin A.

Sweet Potatoes

With their bright orange color sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A. Sweet potatoes provide 19218IU (384% DV) of vitamin A per 100 gram serving, or 38436IU (769% DV) in a cup of mashed sweet potato, and 21909IU (438% DV) in a medium sized sweet potato.

 

Carrots

Carrots are excellent cooked or as a snack. 100 grams of raw carrots provides 16706IU (334% DV) for vitamin A. That is 10191IU (204% DV) for a medium sized carrot, and 2069IU (41% DV) for a single baby carrot.

 

 

Lettuce

Dark colorful lettuces provide the most vitamin A with Red and Green Leaf lettuces providing 7492IU (150% DV) per 100 gram serving, 2098IU (42% DV) per cup shredded, and 1274IU (25% DV) per leaf. Iceberg only provides 502IU (10% DV) per 100g, 361IU (7% DV) per cup shredded, and 75IU (2% DV) per leaf.

 

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe and other yellow/orange melons are a great source of vitamin A. Cantaloupe provides 3382IU (68% DV) of vitamin A per 100 gram serving. That is 5986IU (120% DV) per cup of mellon balls, or 2334IU (47% DV) in a medium sized wedge.

 

 

Foods Rich in Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 is essential to energy production and the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, so a deficiency of vitamin B-1 can lead to decreased energy and reduced sex drive. More symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, decreased alertness, constipation and heart symptoms (like rapid heartbeat). Here are a few specific foods rich in vitamin B-1.

Pork Chops

Pork chops are relatively inexpensive and low in cholesterol compared to most meats, they also contain a high amount of vitamin B1. A 100 gram serving will provide 1.2mg (83% DV) of thiamin (B1), which is 0.85mg (57% DV) per chop.

 

 

Pistachios

Pistachios are a great snack and also a good source of potassium and copper. 100 grams of pistachios provides 0.87mg of thiamin (B1) or 58% DV. That is 0.24mg or 16% of the DV per ounce.

 

 

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts provide 0.7mg (47% DV) of vitamin B1 per 100 gram serving, or 0.2mg (13% DV) per ounce.

 

 

 

Pecans

Pecans provide 0.66mg (44% DV) of vitamin B1 per 100 gram serving, or 0.19mg (12% DV) per ounce.

 

 

 

Foods Rich in Vitamin B3

Vitamin B3 is also called niacin. A deficiency of vitamin-B3 can lead to skin eruptions, bowel problems and even mental problems. Sex life is impacted by the presence of vitamin B-3 because it increases blood flow to the extremities, including the brain. Problems with the nerve and digestive systems caused by vitamin B-3 deficiency can negatively affect your sex life.

Veal (Lean)
The top round cut of pan fried lean veal provides 12mg (60% DV) of niacin per 100 gram serving, or 36.6mg (183% DV) per pound, and 10.2mg (51% DV)in a typical 3 ounce serving.

 

 

Chicken (White Meat)
The white meat of chicken (breast, or tenders) provides 12.4mg (62% DV) of niacin per 100 gram serving, 13.3mg (66% DV) in half a chicken, and 17.4mg (87% DV) per cup.

 

 

Sun-dried Tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes are a high iron and potassium food. They are great in sauce, on pizza, and even in salads. 100 grams of sun-dried tomatoes provides 9.1mg (45% DV) of niacin, or 4.9mg (24% DV) per cup, and 0.18mg (1% DV) per piece.

 

 

Bran (Rice and Wheat)

Crude rice and wheat bran are rich in vitamin B6 as well as vitamin B3 (niacin). Eat whole foods like brown rice, and whole wheat bread. Rice bran contains the most niacin with 34mg (170% DV) per 100g serving, or 40.1mg (201% DV) per cup, 2.5mg (13% DV) per tablespoon. Wheat bran contains 13.6mg (65% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 7.9mg (39% DV) per cup, 0.493mg (2.4% DV) per tablespoon.

 

Foods Rich in Vitamin C

Vitamin C influences a good sex life with its role in the absorption of iron, the formation of blood cells and the metabolism of the adrenal gland, all processes that affect your sex life. Iron helps oxygenation of the tissues for energy production, while blood carries oxygen, hormones and nutrients to the organs, glands and tissues. The adrenal gland produces lots of hormones that influence your sex life, including a hormone that helps to stimulate orgasm. In addition, vitamin C also strengthens your immune system, protects against stress and helps keep your joints limber and active.

Guavas

Depending on variety, guavas can provide as much as 228mg (381% DV) of vitamin C per 100g serving, 377mg (628% DV) per cup, and 126mg (209% DV) per fruit.

 

 

Bell Peppers

A staple of pasta sauce and pizza the sweet bell pepper packs a high vitamin C punch. Yellow peppers provide the most vitamin C with 184mg (206% DV) per 100 gram serving, 341mg (569% DV) per pepper, and 95mg (159% DV) in 10 sliced strips. Green peppers provide the least vitamin C with 132mg (220% DV) per pepper.

 

Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts

Broccoli provides 89mg (149% DV) of vitamin C in a 100g serving, 81mg (135% DV) per cup chopped, 28mg (46% DV) per piece. Raw cauliflower provides much less with 46mg (77% DV) per cup, raw brussles sprouts provide 75mg (125% DV) per cup, 16mg (27% DV) per sprout.

 

Oranges and Clementines (Tangerines)
Oranges, citrus fruits, and their zest (the shavings of their peel) are all high in vitamin C. Oranges provide 59mg (99% DV) per 100 gram serving, 98mg (163% DV) per cup, and 83mg (138% DV) per orange. Clementines, or tangerines, provide 49mg (81% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 36mg (60% DV) per fruit.

 

Red and Green Hot Chili Peppers
An excellent way to spice up soups, curries, and sauces, green chillies provide the most vitamin C than any other food with 242.5mg (404% DV) per 100 gram serving, 181.88mg (303% DV) in a half cup chopped, and 109.13mg (182% DV) in a single green chili pepper. Red chillies provide 144mg (240% DV) of vitamin C per 100g serving, 108mg (180% DV) per half cup chopped, and 65mg (108% DV) per pepper.

 

Foods Rich in Vitamin D

Studies in men found that when Vitamin D is elevated, so is testosterone.  The inverse is true as well.  When Vitamin D is decreased so is testosterone. And we all know testosterone is important for our sex drives.

Fortified Cereals

Exercise caution and check food labels when purchasing cereals, be sure to pick products that have little or no refined sugars, and no partially hydrogenated oils! Fortified cereals can provide up to 342IU (57% DV) per 100 gram serving (~2 cups), and even more if combined with fortified milk.

 

Oysters

In addition to vitamin D, Oysters are a great source of vitamin b12, zinc, iron, manganese, selenium, and copper. Oysters are also high in cholesterol and should be eaten in moderation by people at risk of heart disease or stroke. Raw wild caught Eastern Oysters provide 320IU (80% DV) per 100 gram serving, 269IU (67% DV) in six medium oysters.

 

Caviar (Black and Red)

Caviar is a common ingredient in sushi and more affordable than people think. Caviar provides 232IU (58% DV) of vitamin D per 100 gram serving, or 37.1IU (9% DV) per teaspoon.

 

 

Mushrooms

More than just a high vitamin D food, mushrooms also provide Vitamin B5(Pantothenic Acid) and copper. Lightly cooked white button mushrooms provide the most vitamin D with 27.0IU (7% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 7.6IU (2% DV) per ounce.

 

 

Foods Rich in Vitamin E

Taking vitamin E supplements or changing your diet to incorporate foods rich in vitamin E can help improve the quality of sperm. Research published in the March-April 2003 issue of “Archives of Andrology” indicates that study participants who took 400 mg of vitamin E in conjunction with 225 mcg of selenium showed improvements in sperm motility. How well your sperm are able to move directly impacts your fertility as sperm need to be able to make their way over distances to fertilize an egg.

Almonds
Almonds are best as a snack in raw whole form, but can also be found as almond butter and almond milk. Almonds provide 26.2mg (175% DV) of vitamin E in a 100g serving, 37.5mg (250% DV) per cup, and 0.3mg (2% DV) of vitamin E in an almond.

 

Pickled Green Olives

Olives have no end to culinary use, great in pasta sauce, pizzas, salads, or alone with bread, they will provide 3.81mg (25% DV) of vitamin E in a 100g serving, 1.1mg (7% DV) per ounce (about 14 olives).

 

 

Cooked Spinach

Cooked spinach is great in stews, lasagnas, or as a side all by itself. It will provide 3.5mg (24% DV) of vitamin E in a 100g serving, 6.7mg (44% DV) per cup.