Foods that Increase Female Sex Drive
Sex drives are a finicky thing. Everything from your menstrual cycle to how much stress you’re under at work can cause a slight change. But a sudden change in your libido could also be a sign of an underlying medical issue in some cases (we’ll touch on this later).
Here’s a roundup of the major foods associated with boosting the female libido, including some backed by hefty research and some that may be more folklore than science.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a commonly recommended aphrodisiac. However, despite its popularity, a 2006 study concluded that chocolate consumption didn’t have a significant difference on the female sex drive.
Coffee
Some recommend coffee as an aphrodisiac, but — while coffee can help boost your mood — there’s no research to support this claim…………………………..CONTINUE READING
Honey
While honey is a good source of antioxidants, there’s no scientific evidence that suggests it boosts libido.
Strawberries
Strawberries are another popular option that some folks swear by, despite a lack of evidence.
Raw oysters
The original Casanova is said to have started each day by eating 50 raw oysters. Males and females alike have reported increased sex drive after eating them. But again, there’s no evidence to support these claims.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin, the active component of chili peppers, offers several health benefits, including improved sex drive.
One study did conclude that capsaicin improved sexual behavior in male rats, but there’s no research that suggests the same might be true for humans.
Saw palmetto
While saw palmetto is often recommended to boost libido in both males and females, there’s little evidence to support this.
In fact, a 2009 systematic review concluded the opposite. After looking at the data from multiple studies, researchers listed decreased libido as a potential side effect of saw palmetto usage. However, little is known about saw palmetto use by women.
Chasteberry
Chasteberry, also known as Vitex agnus-castus or monk’s pepper, is a popular herbal supplement used for many female reproductive health concerns.
While research suggests that chasteberry may improve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, there’s no scientific evidence supporting its potential benefits for female sex drive.
Figs
Another commonly recommend aphrodisiac, figs are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. But the jury is out on their effect on libido.
Bananas
Some believe bananas can boost libido, but again, there’s little scientific evidence to support this.
However, bananas are a great source of potassium, which aids in testosterone synthesis. While testosterone is typically seen as a male hormone, females also have testosterone, and low testosterone can negatively affect sex drive.
Potatoes
Potatoes are another popular aphrodisiac, despite the lack of scientific evidence.
However, both potatoes and sweet potatoes are full of potassium, meaning they offer the same health benefits as bananas.
