In the Mood
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 5:55AM With Valentine's Day fast approaching, here are some healthy foods to share with your lover that are sure to get you both "in the mood."
Vegan Aphrodisiacs: [via goveg.com]
Asparagus:
Asparagus is high in vitamin E, which increases blood and oxygen flow to the genitals, and potassium, which is important for healthy sex hormone production, making this veggie a well-known aphrodisiac. Its suggestive phallic shape makes it as enticing to the eye as it is to the mouth. To get the best effect, eat this delicious and healthy vegetable at least three days in a row.
Bananas:
A fruit with a sexy shape, bananas are said to contain chemicals that can lift your mood and make you more confident. Bananas are also famously high in potassium, a nutrient that aids in sex hormone production and boosts energy.
Berries:
The perfect foods to feed your lover, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are high in vitamin C, which is important for making sex hormones and neurotransmitters
Carrots:
Carrots are bursting with vitamin A, a nutrient needed for producing sex hormones. For guys, vitamin A is vital for sperm production.
Chili Peppers:
These sizzling veggies will spice up your meal and your evening! Adding chili peppers to your dishes gets your heart pumping and produces neurochemicals known as endorphins, which make you happier.
Chocolate:
Nothing shows your love—or your compassion—better than a box of vegan chocolates for your sweetheart. Chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine, which is believed to stimulate romantic feelings by making you happy and excited. Its natural caffeine provides an added boost by giving you more energy.
Ginger:
Seasoning your meals with ginger will enhance blood flow to all parts of your body as long as your arteries aren't clogged up from eating the cholesterol and saturated fat in meat, eggs, and dairy products.
Licorice:
A fun food to hand-feed your lover, researchers have found that the smell of licorice mixed with cucumber is the most sexually stimulating scentfor women. Licorice is widely believed to produce feelings of love and lust—particularly in women.
Nuts:
Men should eat cashews, pecans, almonds, walnuts, and other nuts to take in a healthy amount of zinc, which keeps men potent and prevents prostate problems. Nuts are also high in protein, which gives you the energy to keep you going throughout the day—and night.
Pumpkin:
Neurological research has shown that the scent of pumpkin pie is a sexual stimulant for both men and women, increasing male penile bloodflow by 40 percent. Pumpkin seeds are one of the best vegan sources of zinc, which for men is crucial for potency and in preventing prostate problems.
Soy:
Soy isn't just protein-packed and amazingly versatile—it's also great for the sex lives of both guys and gals. For women, soy's natural nutrients have been linked to less PMS and better lubrication (meow!). The benefits for guys are even better—soy has been found to lower men's chances for developing cancer of the prostate (a vital gland for keeping everything pumping in thebedroom). Researchers at Kansas State University found that soy protein was just as good as beef for guys trying to gain muscle mass. But quite unlike cow flesh, tofu and veggie burgers have zero cholesterol and almost no saturated fat, substances that lead to heart disease, impotence, and other not-so-sexy stuff, like bad breath and body odor.
