What you eat can play an important role in whether or not you have a successful date. Sadly, some foods reduce your libido or cause uncomfortable symptoms like gas and acid reflux.
So before you head out to a romantic rendezvous, keep these foods for dinner and skip them before the sheets.
Carbonated Drinks
There is a range of carbonated drinks that you should avoid before sex. They increase gas in your system and cause burping. This can affect sex drive and may kill the mood. They also contain large amounts of sugar, which reduces libido over time. The best drink before sex is water, which is naturally hydrating. You can add flavor to your water by adding fruit or sliced citrus, or try a sparkling water with added electrolytes and minerals for extra energy.
When buying a carbonated drink, check the label to make sure there isn’t too much sugar or artificial sweeteners. Also, look for a low sodium content to help with bloating and blood pressure.
Carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) are the most popular beverage in America. They combine carbonated water with various ingredients, including sugar or high-fructose corn syrup and salt, to give the drinks a distinctive taste. Those labelled “diet” generally have less sugar than regular sodas but still have more sugar than non-carbonated beverages.
Carbonated water can be found in seltzer, club soda, and even champagne. Sparkling water is a good alternative to soda, but you should read the nutrition labels to ensure it doesn’t have added sugar or other unhealthy ingredients. Some sparkling water brands have natural flavors and some include lemon, lime, cucumber, mint or other herbs to provide a fresh taste.
Alcohol
It might seem obvious that you should avoid alcohol before sex, but the reality is, many people don’t. Alcohol can make you sluggish, affect your ability to perform and even cause erectile dysfunction. In addition, it’s often mixed with foods that aren’t the best for you and can cause gas – not exactly ideal when you’re trying to get intimate!
Canned or processed foods should also be avoided as they are often high in salt which increases bloating and water retention, which can hinder blood flow to small organs like the penis. They can also be high in gas causing burping and flatulence, which is definitely not the best thing to have happen during sex.
Cheese is another food that you should probably steer clear of, unless you’re really into it! This is because it’s dairy and can act as a mucus builder, which can wreak havoc on your stomach. In addition, it’s often loaded with saturated fat which isn’t the sexiest thing to have in your mouth during foreplay.
Asparagus is also a no-go before sex, because digestion causes your body to produce two smelly compounds called methanethiol and S-methyl thioesters, which are known to have sexually repelling effects. Lastly, onions should be avoided, because their smell can lead to digestive issues and even heartburn. Watermelon is a great choice to help boost libido as it contains the amino acid L-citrulline, which the body converts into nitric oxide which helps with vasodilation, leading to harder erections.
Cheese
Dairy is a notorious libido killer and cheese in particular acts as a mucus-builder, which will leave you feeling gassy and bloated. It can also trigger acid reflux which isn’t exactly a mood enhancer when you are trying to get intimate with someone.
Salty foods are another thing to avoid before sex because they increase water retention which causes bloating and can interfere with your blood flow to small organs like the penis. This can cause erectile dysfunction (1).
Oatmeal has lots of great benefits including keeping you energised and helping your body produce serotonin, a mood-enhancing hormone. However, it should only be consumed in moderation as it is high in fibre, which can lead to bloating (2).
Spicy foods affect your gastrointestinal system by triggering acid reflux and can be uncomfortable, painful and can even have you burping which isn’t the most romantic thing to do while you are trying to get intimate (3).
Chocolate is one of the best mood-boosters as it contains two chemicals that boost libido, anandamide and phenylethylamine (known as love or pleasure chemicals). It can be a little hard on your teeth so stick to dark chocolate if you plan on enjoying some in the bedroom. Watermelon is another food that can have aphrodisiac properties as it contains citrulline, which increases nitric oxide levels in the body, similar to how Viagra works (4).
Hot Foods
Foods that are hot or spicy can cause heartburn and make it difficult to relax. These foods can also reduce the ability to perform sexually by making it harder to get an erection and may make you feel uncomfortable during intimacy. Spicy foods, like garlic and onions, create pungent odors that are not conducive to a romantic night between the sheets.
Certain foods, such as French fries and other salty snacks, can trigger acid reflux in some people, which lowers libido and increases the risk of erectile dysfunction. These types of foods should be avoided before sex, especially if you have high blood pressure or other health concerns.
Some foods, such as beans and excess oatmeal, can lead to gas, which can be embarrassing and uncomfortable during sex. These types of foods can also reduce libido and increase the frequency of trips to the restroom.
Some foods, such as dark chocolate and nuts, can increase libido by increasing levels of the hormones anandamide and phenylethylamine, which are natural aphrodisiacs. These foods are also high in magnesium, which can help improve sex drive and erections. However, it is important to avoid foods that are high in sodium and saturated fat, as they can raise cholesterol and blood pressure and lead to heart disease. It is also a good idea to limit caffeine, as it can act as a central nervous system inhibitor and inhibit arousal.
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