Foods that Fight Series- Low Libido- The Sex Salad- Almonds, Avocado, and Arugula…Oh My
I’m finding myself kinda blushing as I write this but, hey, if you have to pass up donuts, cookies, and burgers because you need to eat healthy, you might as well enjoy the added benefits. In this case, the added benefit is an elevated libido for you and your partner!
So, in true Foods That Fight Series fashion, I am going to define the issue (Low Libido), give you some research based information about natural foods that may combat Low Libido, and tell you how I eat these foods. Lets get to it!
What is Low Libido?
Low libido is a condition that rears itself in the form of a decrease in sex drive. Usually this decrease is so substantial that it is noticeable and has been known to cause issues in relationships.
There are many underlying factors that can contribute to low libido including, but not limited to, low testosterone (for my blog on that, click here), anxiety (that blog here), birth control pills, menopause, aging, family problems, past trauma, and diet.
Food and eating habits may contribute to Low Libido. I have chosen three foods that I believe are more commonly acceptable by the mass majority, foods that I eat, and foods that research shows can have a positive effect on combating your Low Libido.
Almonds:
Almonds are one of my all-time favorite snacks because they are versatile. They are easy to carry along as a snack on the go and they you can easily cook with them. Almonds also possess monounsaturated fats which are the good fats that protect. Studies also show that almonds are rich in the amino acid arginine, which is a precursor to Nitric Oxide (NO). NO helps with erectile action. Almonds are also rich in zinc, selenium, and vitamin E. “Zinc helps enhance libido and sexual desire,” says Dr. Jennifer R. Berman, MD, director of the Berman Women’s Wellness Center in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Avocados:
The science behind why Avocados tend to contribute to sexual function derives from the fact that they are rich in unsaturated fats (Omega-3) and low in saturated fats, thus, making the case that Avocados are good for heart function. Good heart function leads to good blood circulating to the right places. A funny story about Avocados is that they were referred to as testicles by the Aztec Indians because they are similar in shape.
Arugula:
To be totally transparent here, I only eat Arugula as part of a “Spring Mix” of salad greens. But after doing this research, I am strongly considering buying %100 Arugula for my salads. Arugula contains nitrates (the good ones) that convert to Nitric Oxide in your body, which increases blood blow to the important areas. Arugula also is know to be a detoxifier meaning that it detoxes the organs, including sexual ones, creating a better chance at an increased libido.
The main study that I used that pointed to the libido-elevating benefits of arugula used mice as test subjects proving the increase in libido. Mice are said to have very similar reproductive systems as humans.
Your Action
What can you do with this great information I just gave you? Well, I’m so glad you asked. Provided you don’t have any allergies or health related issues with the three foods mentioned here and your doctor is okay with you eating these, your mission is to find exciting and healthy ways to eat these foods. You could mix these three ingredients into a salad and call it a “Sex Salad”. Here are some of my favorite ways to eat these three:
Almonds: I usually eat almonds raw from the bag. I also eat almond butter but my personal rule is to not treat almond milk as a replacement for what I get from almonds.
Avocado: I like my avocado in the form of spicy guacamole eaten with eggs and toast for breakfast. Here is a good article for other ways to eat avocado https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/23-ways-to-eat-avocados .
Arugula: I eat my arugula as part of a “Spring Mix” for salads. As I state earlier in this blog, I will be switching to %100 arugula for certain salads.
I hope this information has enlightened and helped you. Please “heart” this blog and feel free to comment with other ways you eat the foods listed here and other helpful information.
Brian "B-Rob" Robinson is a Certified Sports Nutrition Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Youtuber, and co-founder of LEANWellonline. His YouTube channel is called thisisb-rob.
Sources:
Salas-Huetos, A., Muralidharan, J., Galiè, S., Salas-Salvadó, J., & Bulló, M. (2019). Effect of Nut Consumption on Erectile and Sexual Function in Healthy Males: A Secondary Outcome Analysis of the FERTINUTS Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(6), 1372. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11061372
Asha, M. R., Hithamani, G., Rashmi, R., Basavaraj, K. H., Jagannath Rao, K. S., & Sathyanarayana Rao, T. S. (2009). History, mystery and chemistry of eroticism: Emphasis on sexual health and dysfunction. Indian journal of psychiatry, 51(2), 141–149. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.49457
Study the Effect of Eruca Sativa Leaves Extract on Male Fertility in Albino Mice
Zena Hussein- - Journal of Al-Nahrain University Science - 2013