7 Foods That Boost Your Libido & 7 That Totally Tank It

At the end of the day, probably the easiest way to explain libido is that it's the level of sexual desire that someone has. While this kind of drive can differ based on all kinds of things like hormonal shifts, the kind of meds that people are on, one's lifestyle, the quality of their relationship, and even their views on sex (and its purpose), if there's one thing that many medical professionals can agree on, it's the fact that diet can play a significant role in affecting if someone's libido is high or low.

That's why it's a good idea to stay abreast of the types of foods that can help to give your sex drive a boost vs. the ones that can totally cause it to tank. Because if you're someone who personally wants to have a thriving sex life, it's important to know that so many things outside of the bedroom play a pivotal role in making that happen.

Kitchn once published an article that said we all should be consuming at most around a teaspoon of salt on a daily basis (even lower if your doctor recommends that you be on a low-sodium diet). Problem is, a lot of canned foods contain as much as half of what you're supposed to be eating, sodium-wise, per serving. And when there is too much salt in your system, that can lead to high blood pressure in men (which can result in them having a hard time getting or maintaining an erection) or vaginal dryness in women (which can make it challenging for us to experience an orgasm — via The Health Site).

Does that mean that you can't enjoy your favorite soups (or other canned foods)? The bigger takeaway is you should mix them up with fresh produce and you should look for cans that are labeled as being "low in sodium" as much as possible — not just for the sake of your sex life, but your long-term health overall.

Anything that you prepare by frying it in oil or some other kind of fat is considered to be fried food. And whether it's fried chicken, French fries, or even a plate of fried veggies that are your favorite treat, consuming these kinds of things in moderation is truly of the utmost importance — especially if you want your libido to remain in great condition.

A part of the problem with fried foods, as it directly relates to your libido, is they are high in trans fats (via Healthline). According to Insider, trans fats can clog up your arteries and impede your body's blood flow (including to your genital region). Plus, these types of fats have been connected to risky sexual behavior in women and fertility complications in men.

That said, it's always important to keep in mind that baking some of your favorite foods can be a delicious alternative to frying. It's a proactive way to protect your sex drive as well as the rest of your system.

If you're someone who will order a combo meal that contains diet soda (thinking that it is better for your health than regular soda), there are a few things to keep in mind. Medical News Today states that diet soda can actually be pretty bad for you because there are studies that cite that some of its ingredients can increase the risk of you ending up with damaged blood vessels or chronic inflammation. Not only that but it also has the ability to wreak total havoc on your dopamine levels; those are natural hormones that help to put you in a good mood.

Something else that diet soda can potentially do is increase erectile dysfunction in men and put your sex hormones in a real tailspin. That's because artificial sweeteners like saccharin and aspartame could actually cause you to gain weight (via Medical News Today) and weight gain has been proven to decrease libido levels over time (via WebMD).

You probably heard in elementary-level science class that dairy is good for you, mostly because the calcium in it is beneficial to your teeth and bones. While that is certainly the case, Healthline shares some other things about dairy that you should also consider. Things like dairy could cause you to become lactose intolerant, it has been linked to causing cancer, and it's not the best food on the planet for the environment. There are also studies that connect dairy to an increase in heart disease in men.

Since the focus today is on what is good and not-so-good for your libido, the thing to keep in mind here is dairy sometimes contains synthetic hormones which can throw off testosterone levels in both men and women (via Medical News Today). A dietician by the name of Julieanna Hever told the publication LIVEKINDLY, "Taking in these hormones may play a role in modifying sex hormone levels in humans and can, therefore, impact sexual function."

Thankfully, there are some pretty delicious dairy alternatives that are available. For the sake of your libido, consider giving them a try (if you haven't already).

If you enjoy snacking and you want to lean towards the kinds that are healthy, popcorn tops the list among many health professionals. For starters, it's a whole grain that is high in fiber. As far as health benefits go, it's low-calorie, helps to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease and popcorn contains a lot of B-vitamins (via WebMD).

Just make sure that if you decide to indulge that you stay clear of microwaveable popcorn. The problem with it is more about the packaging than the popcorn itself because a lot of the bags are lined with a chemical known as PFOA. Not only has that been linked to causing cancer (via Healthline), there are also studies that state that it can lower men's sperm count and even result in them having shorter penises (via Intercept). Popcorn poppers are pretty affordable. So, for the sake of your health — and your partner's sex life — ditch the microwavable brands and pop popcorn the old-fashioned way.

Are you someone who feels like nothing brings you more joy than a big ole' juicy steak? It's totally understandable. And while, according to WebMD, red meat can provide your body with nutrients like Vitamin B12 and zinc (which are both great for your libido — via Vitamin Shoppe), there is a potential downside that needs to be taken into consideration too.

Insider says the reality is that red meat, processed foods, and foods that are high in sodium all have the potential to cause heart disease, increase blood pressure levels and also hinder blood flow. Sexually, all of this can result in erectile dysfunction for men and less intense orgasms for women.

No one is saying that this means that you can never enjoy red meat. It's just important that you're intentional about having it no more than 1-2 times a week, just to be on the safer side of things.

If you've ever wondered what causes a food to fall into the category of being a "cruciferous vegetable," they are a part of the Brassica genus of plants which include veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, arugula, turnips, and several other foods. Thanks to the high amounts of antioxidants, fiber, and folate, cruciferous vegetables are good for you because they contain properties that help to fight cancer and protect your cells from DNA damage.

However, because some of those foods also have sulfur in them and sulfur doesn't smell the best (it's oftentimes compared to rotten eggs), it can be a no-no when you're interested in getting intimate with your partner. According to Romper, not only can veggies like broccoli possibly cause your bodily fluids to not smell the best, but studies also state that it can also cause bloating and gas — and there's probably no need to expound on why no one wants that during sex.

The moral to the story here is not to forego these types of foods. Just try and avoid them 1-2 days prior to planned intimacy. For all of the reasons mentioned, you'll be glad that you did!