Curejoy Expert Gina Hodge Explains:
Have you ever wondered how food can have an impact on your sex drive? Certain foods may enhance your sex drive whereas some can ruin your libido and can cause serious problems in your sex life. While an anaphrodisiac is something that lowers the libido, aphrodisiac is something that enhances sexual appetite. Loss of libido is a common problem that can affect approximately 1 in 5 men and even more women at some point in their life.
Foods That Kill Sex Drive And Reduce Your Libido
Avoid the below foods that kill sex drive.
Bottled Water
Water here does not have any role to play, but the plastic bottle which holds the water contains a chemical compound known as bisphenol A (BPA), which can hamper your sex drive. Various studies on the association of BPA levels in the body of the male and female have shown its negative impact on the fertility.
Mint
The menthol in mint can lower testosterone levels in men, which may considerably decrease your sex drive.
Canned Foods
The high dietary sodium levels in canned foods can be very detrimental to your sex life. A very high level of sodium in the diet can cause elevated blood pressure, which in turn may limit the blood flow to certain parts of your body.
Coffee
Drinking excessive caffeinated beverages like coffee may cause an increase in the anxiety levels which can lower your sex drive.
Sodas
Drinking Citrus flavored sodas and beverages widely available in the market may increase the level of PBDE (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in the body, which has a high negative impact on your sex drive,, and it also affects conceiving.
Chocolate
Though chocolate is generally considered aphrodisiac but it may lower the testosterone levels.
- Other important anaphrodisiacs are alcohol and tobacco.
Other Causes That May Hamper Your Sex Life
- Stress, anxiety and exhaustion
- Relationship problems
- Depression
- Drugs
- Getting older
- Hormonal problems
- Other medical conditions
- Medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity can also have a negative effect on your sex drive.
- Certain medications such as medications for high blood pressure, diuretics, depression, psychosis etc. can sometimes reduce libido.
The good news here is that since human libido is controlled by hormone levels, consuming foods that can boost certain hormones in men and women can help boost the sex drive. Natural foods and herbs which have been claimed to be aphrodisiacs include Ginseng, Ginkgo biloba (known as the maidenhair tree), Epimedium grandiflorum (Horny Goat Weed), hot peppers, raw oysters , bananas, granola etc.