Strong libido can be a major source of confidence in men.
Everything you do, including the foods you eat, can either increase or decrease your sex drive.
While foods that boost libido are frequently discussed, it’s also important to address those that can lower your sex drive.
That’s exactly what this article is going to do. Read on to learn more about foods that lower sex drive in men.
10 foods that can lower your sex drive
Many foods, although considered delicious, can actually lower your sex drive and thereby impair your sexual function.
Below, you can take a look at the top 10 foods that you need to avoid or reduce their consumption if you want to have stronger libido and better sexual performance.
1. Soy
While soy has become a go-to food for vegans and vegetarians as a replacement for red meat, it may not be ideal for men who want to increase their sex drive.
Studies show consumption of soy can lower testosterone levels and may contribute to erectile dysfunction. Testosterone has a direct impact on your libido. Strive to limit or avoid consuming soy.
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2. Alcohol
Although technically not food, alcohol is frequently consumed, and we need to address its impact.
Evidence confirms alcohol has a destructive impact on the male reproductive system. Heavy intake of alcohol can affect the Leydig cells, which produce and secrete testosterone hormone.
Moreover, alcohol can also contribute to impotence and infertility. Give your libido a strong boost by limiting alcohol intake or avoiding it entirely.
3. Canned soup
Canned soups are bad news for your libido due to their high sodium content. Sodium causes high blood pressure and may damage your heart. Since your sexual function depends on proper blood flow, it’s clear why you should avoid canned soups.
Eat a homemade soup instead, and don’t use too much salt. It also helps to eat foods that promote blood flow and nitric oxide levels. Good examples are dark chocolate, pomegranate juice, nuts, and zinc-rich pumpkin seeds.
4. Processed meat
If you’re a meat-lover, you may want to avoid processed meats. Deli meats and other processed meats can cause hormonal imbalance. Plus, it can also affect your sperm count.
You see, processed meat doesn’t deliver the nutrients you need for proper libido and sexual health. Keep in mind the animals are sometimes given synthetic hormones for better growth. It’s better to avoid these meats to cut down the risk of sexual problems.
5. Dairy products
Dairy products made from cow’s milk could lead to a low sex drive. Cow’s milk contains natural or synthetic hormones that may affect sex hormones such as testosterone.
As a result, your sexual desire could suffer. Other, more serious complications may occur, such as prostate cancer. If your testosterone levels are low, you may want to opt for a natural dietary supplement to boost them.
6. Mint
A growing body of evidence confirms mint can decrease testosterone levels in men. While tea is always a good choice of a beverage, you can opt for other options, such as green tea.
7. Simple carbs
Simple carbs are present in processed foods such as desserts, bread, and pastries. Diet high in these foods is associated with high blood sugar, lower levels of testosterone, increased body fat, and decreased muscle mass.
All these things can impair your libido and lead to sexual dysfunction. Choose healthier foods instead, enrich your diet with vegetables, fruits rich in vitamin C, whole grains, among others.
8. Trans fats
Trans fats cause a lot of problems, including low testosterone levels, weight gain, impaired blood flow. They’re usually found in fried food. Excess weight affects your confidence which further decreases libido.
Improve your sex drive and overall sexual activity by consuming healthy fats instead of greasy foods. You may want to add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet as they are good for your cardiovascular health.
Find Omega-3s in salmon and other fatty fish. Oily fish is also a good source of vitamin B6, which is beneficial for your libido.
9. Diet soda
Soda drinks contain high levels of artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. The problem is that aspartame affects serotonin and dopamine levels.
These neurotransmitters are responsible for a good mood. When you’re not in a good mood, you are less likely to be sexually aroused and have intercourse.
In other words, this beverage can give you low libido. Instead of diet soda, you may want to drink fresh, homemade juices that supply an abundance of minerals and vitamins that keep you healthy and contribute to your sex life.
10. Coffee
While coffee acts as a stimulant and may give some men strong erections, others have the opposite effects. If you feel jittery from coffee, you may want to avoid it. Jitteriness leads to anxiety, and anxiety kills libido.
Conclusion
Some foods are beneficial for your libido, while others are not. This post listed 10 foods to avoid if you want to have strong sexual desire.
Some natural foods like pine nuts and dark chocolate have aphrodisiac potential and may improve your sex life. Enrich your diet with libido-boosting foods and reduce consumption of items mentioned on this list. Keep in mind high libido also requires a healthy lifestyle in general.
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