Aphrodisiac Foods: 10 Natural Tips for Men
Hardly anyone talks openly about men's health and desire. Yet a healthy lifestyle has a big influence on wellbeing and vitality - right into the bedroom. Which foods are traditionally seen as aphrodisiacs and which nutrients contribute to normal men's health, you will read here.
Lifestyle and diet: a strong team
How good a man feels depends on many factors. Alongside genetics and age, everyday life plays a big role. Regular exercise, good stress management, enough sleep, avoiding nicotine, little alcohol and a balanced diet form the basis for wellbeing and vitality. The good news: when it comes to diet, it is in your own hands.
How are diet and vitality connected?
A balanced diet provides the body with the nutrients it needs for its normal functions. What matters most:
- Healthy vessels: a balanced, vegetable-rich diet supports the heart and circulation - the basis for a well-functioning body.
- Protein for the muscles: proteins are the building blocks of muscle. Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle mass.
- Important minerals: zinc in particular plays a role - zinc contributes to normal blood testosterone levels and to normal fertility and reproduction.
- Plant compounds: colourful fruit and vegetables provide a wide range of plant compounds that contribute to a varied diet.
What tends to harm vitality
That heavily sugary and fatty foods are unfavourable overall is common knowledge. Anyone who reaches a lot for ready meals, highly processed products, sugar and alcohol does their body and wellbeing no favours in the long run. Instead, go for fresh, natural foods wherever possible: fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Here are ten classics traditionally associated with enjoyment and vitality.
1. Nuts and seeds: rich in arginine
Healthy and easy to snack on: nuts are rightly considered a perfect companion and are especially popular with athletes. Whether hazelnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds or almonds - nuts and seeds provide plenty of arginine and unsaturated fatty acids. The brazil nut in particular is rich in arginine. A handful a day works well in muesli, salad or simply on its own.
2. Oysters and fish: the classic aphrodisiac
The oyster has long been seen as an aphrodisiac - and not without reason: the seafood is rich in zinc, and zinc contributes to normal blood testosterone levels. Oysters also provide omega-3 fatty acids. If you do not slurp oysters regularly, reach for fish: salmon and herring bring omega-3 too and deserve a regular spot on the plate.
3. Watermelon: the summer refresher
Perhaps the most popular summer fruit brings along a special ingredient: watermelon contains citrulline, an amino acid that is traditionally linked to the theme of love. Yellow and green melons as well as cucumber also contain citrulline - though in smaller amounts.
4. Lentils: plant protein by the spoonful
Admittedly, lentils do not look particularly sexy at first glance. Still, they belong on the menu: they provide plenty of plant protein and arginine. Half a cup already covers a good part of the daily arginine needs. Tip: lentils taste especially good as a curry, for example as Indian dhal.
5. Cabbage and leafy greens: green powerhouses
Broccoli, cauliflower, kale and spinach are true nutrient providers. They contain many plant compounds as well as vitamins and minerals and belong in every balanced diet. Prepared gently in the wok or steamed, heat-sensitive vitamins are better preserved.
6. Bananas: a good source of potassium
A banana provides on average around 380 milligrams of potassium. Potassium contributes to normal muscle function and to the maintenance of normal blood pressure. That makes the banana a handy snack for in between - and a perfect fit for the oat breakfast (more on that below).
7. Berries, red cabbage and co.: colour on the plate
What do red cabbage and blackberries have in common? Their blue-red colour comes from anthocyanins, plant compounds that are also found in raspberries, blueberries, aronia, currants and sour cherries. Aubergine, red pepper and red onions bring them along too. Eating colourfully pays off.
8. Colourful antioxidants: apples, tomatoes and citrus
Colourful fruit and vegetables provide plenty of antioxidants and plant compounds. Vitamin C, for example, contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. So reach freely for apples, berries, tomatoes, potatoes, citrus fruit and nuts.
9. Eggs: important trace elements
Chicken eggs are little nutrient packages: they contain zinc and selenium. Zinc contributes to normal blood testosterone levels, selenium to normal spermatogenesis. Eggs also provide high-quality protein - ideal for a hearty breakfast.
10. Oats with fruit and nuts: the breakfast for the day
Porridge is more than a hipster breakfast. A sugar-free muesli or a bowl of porridge with fruit brings complex carbohydrates, fibre and valuable nutrients. Topped with fruit there is an extra portion of vitamins, a dollop of yoghurt or quark adds more protein, and a handful of nuts rounds it all off with arginine and healthy fats.
Maca: the root of the Incas
A classic among traditional vitality foods comes from the Peruvian Andes: maca. The root grows at over 4,000 metres altitude under extreme conditions and has been cultivated and prized in Peru for centuries. Traditionally it is used there as a strengthening food. If you do not like the earthy taste of the powder, the capsule form is a handy choice.
Maca Capsules
1000 mg of pure maca powder from the traditional Andean root per daily dose - in handy capsule form, without the earthy taste.
€17.50 per tub€59.70 €52.50
you save €7.20
€16.30 per tub€99.50 €81.50
you save €18.00
Prices incl. VAT. Food supplements are not a substitute for a balanced, varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Frequently asked questions
Which foods are seen as aphrodisiacs?
Which nutrients are particularly interesting for men?
What is maca?
More on healthy eating in the Surpresa Natural blog
Eating mindfully does your body and mind a daily favour. For more tips, browse our Surpresa Natural blog. There you can read, for example, whether carbs really make you fat, why Asian food is considered so healthy and which home remedies give your metabolism a nudge.