Friday, February 13, 2009

Get In The Mood For Valentine’s Day


If you want to take Glenn Miller’s advice for Valentine’s Day and get In The Mood for some romance, there are some delectable delights that may help put some fire in the old furnace. Imagine a home cooked dinner with candles and some R-rated foods to help kick up the temperature.

In an article from CNN, Researchers say there is growing evidence that some foods enhance sexual function. Historically some foods have a reputation for being aphrodisiacs. One many have heard of is oysters, along with alcohol, almonds and avocados. Some medical studies suggest they may increase passion and sperm quality and decrease sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction (ED).

And if you are getting behind in the battle of the bulge including these mood enhancing foods into a healthy, balanced diet is a great way to help you get back to your sexy self. Research shows if you lose only 10% of your body weight you can improve the quality of your sex life. When you bring the negative images of yourself and your body in the boudoir it affects sexual well being also.

Here are some of the foods that have been touted in aphrodisiac history and tales of romance. Modern science bears out some of the claims also.

Alcohol in moderate quantities can help you relax and lower inhibitions, which can be a good thing, if you’re not driving at the time. Another plus is it raises good cholesterol, and reduces the chance of blood clots. If you don’t drink try a deeply colored 100% fruit juice like pomegranate or Concord grape juice. It has been found that the antioxidants in these juices can improve sperm quality and aid fertility.

For a long time now Almonds have been rumored to increase passion, act as a sexual stimulant, and aid with fertility. Like asparagus, almonds are nutrient dense and rich in several trace minerals that are important for sexual health and reproduction, such as zinc, selenium, and vitamin E.

Avocados make the list also according to the Mayo Clinic Health Library. This makes sense because they are good for your heart and your arteries. The Aztecs called them testicles, because of their physical shape. Science on the other hand says that they are rich in unsaturated fats and low in saturated fat, so they are good for your heart and arteries. Actually men with underlying heart disease are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Oysters, ah yes, good old oysters. They have been thought to have aphrodisiac properties as long as I can remember, but very few studies have been conducted on them. In days gone by they were considered an aphrodisiac because of their shape, and since desire begins in the mind, the psychological effect was valid.

Medically the thing that makes these slippery sliders so potent is that they are full of zinc. Zinc controls progesterone levels, which have a positive effect on the libido. Zinc deficiency can cause impotence in men, so any food rich in zinc is considered an aphrodisiac in that respect, and oysters happen to be loaded with the mineral. Other seafood like wild salmon and herring contain omega3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy heart.

Strawberries red color helps get the libido moving based on a recent study men find women sexier if they're wearing red. Strawberries are also an excellent source of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps ward off birth defects in women and, may be tied to high sperm counts in men. This Valentine's Day, try making dark chocolate-dipped strawberries. And did you know that chocolate is loaded with libido enhancing methylzanthines.

Any member of Citrus fruit family is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and folic acid, all of which are essential for men's reproductive health. Rather than a steak linger over a romantic salad that includes citrus, like pink grapefruit or mandarin oranges, or maybe use a dressing made with lemon and lime.

During the 1st Century Arugula has been touted as an arousal aid. These days research uncovered that trace minerals and antioxidants in the dark, leafy greens are keys for our sexual health because they help block absorption of some of the environmental contaminants thought to negatively impacting our libido.

Figs look funny, but they have a long history of being a fertility booster, and an excellent aphrodisiac. They are loaded with fiber, which is important for heart health. In addition high-fiber foods help fill you up, not out, so it's easier to achieve that sexy bottom line or belt size.

No comments: