When foods are talked about as being an aphrodisiac or a libido suppressant, it is because they are believed to have an impact on the production of testosterone. In both men and women, testosterone is the hormone that governs the sex drive. Nutrients in food affect the activity of aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen, and the lower the level of testosterone, the lower the libido. If you’re not getting your groove on often enough, what you’re eating may be contributing. Avoid these libido-suppressing foods and get your sex mojo back.
1 Cheese
Cheese is top of the list of foods that affect your libido. Talking specifically about cheese that is derived from cow’s milk, the products can often be packed full of synthetic hormones which, once ingested into your body, can work to mess with the natural production of your own hormones including, vitally, testosterone and estrogen.
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2 Corn Flakes
Corn flakes are an example of a food that is neither spicy nor sweet, but simply bland and sugarless. Some specialists have claimed that a food like this, especially corn flakes with their high carbohydrate levels, actively work to bloat and therefore deflate a person’s potential desires. Whereas flavorful foods can inflame passions, bland food can do the opposite.
3 Mint
Though you might turn to mint to freshen your breath, the refreshing plant actually has something of a reputation for being a libido killer, especially for males. It is all due to the amount of menthol in mint and the fact that it has been known to lower testosterone levels. Certainly not something you want to happen if you have made romantic plans!
4 Chocolate
This one seems almost unbelievable, right? How can chocolate, one of the sweetest foods with one of the sexiest reputations, actually be bad for your sex drive? Once again, it is all to do with the fact that is has the nutrients that affect your aromatase and, therefore, the potential to lower testosterone levels. Not something that you want to happen.
5 Coffee
This one is perhaps a little easier to comprehend. Coffee’s super strong caffeine levels may give you enough energy for sexual activity, but they also increase your anxiety levels, leading to a few jittery feelings which may leave you not in the mood to be intimate at all.
6 Diet Sodas
Diet sodas are arguably more popular than regular sodas these days, but something to consider is that fact that they are filled with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which can directly affect the body’s serotonin levels, which are vital to keeping you in a happy and potentially romantic mood.
7 Microwave Popcorn
It may seem like the perfect accompaniment to a romantic evening at home, but the contents of a bag of microwave popcorn can actually be harmful to your libido. Chemicals found on the bag’s lining, such as perfluorooctanoic acid, can really kill your sex drive, and have even been known to cause prostate problems for men.
8 Alcohol
Though many people like to add alcohol to a romantic evening, or even just have a quick drink for some liquid courage, alcohol can actually do more to hinder your sexual performance than enhance it. The more you drink, the less likely you are to be able to perform to your ‘best ability,’ and will probably end up snoring on the couch rather than making music in the bedroom!
9 Licorice
Licorice is another example of a food that will lower your libido due to causing a negative effect on testosterone levels. The sweet’s natural ingredient, called glycyrrhizin, is at fault for this, reducing hormone levels and potentially decreasing sex drive.
How disappointing that chocolate is on here. Maybe the saying chocolate is better than sex comes from those who aren’t getting sex but have plenty of chocolate!
Do you think you need to change your eating habits to get more enthusiasm for bedroom antics?
