The human sex drive is controlled by hormone levels, so foods that help boost certain hormones in men and women can help boost the libido, according to SteadyHealth.com. Foods that are high in zinc and vitamin B can help the body increase testosterone levels, the primary libido-boosting hormone in both men and women, thereby increasing their sex drives.
Raw Oysters
Oysters are naturally high in zinc and will help raise testosterone in both men and women, and can help boost sperm production in men, according to LibidoIncreasingFood.com. The website cautions that it is important to thoroughly clean the oysters before eating them since raw oysters can contain dirt and bacteria.
Granola
Granola contains a high supply of L-arginine that can help improve the sexual function in men, states MSNBC.com. While the website notes that studies have yet to be done on women, studies have shown that increasing the intake of L-arginine can increase erectile response in men. Scientists believe that granola can also increase the sexual response in women because the clitoris responds much like a penis when sexually aroused.
Hot Peppers
The ingredient in hot peppers that produces heat, capsaicin, causes an increase in blood flow, breathing and sweating, which SteadyHealth.com says is similar to the body's response when sexually aroused.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains phenylethylamine and serotonin, two chemicals that help stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain. Stimulating the brain's pleasure centers can produce feelings similar to that of sexual arousal, according to SteadyHealth.com.
Avocados
Avocados are rich in folic acid that help the body break down proteins. The fruit also contains high levels of vitamin B6 that helps the body produce testosterone, according to LibidoIncreasingFood.com. In addition, high levels of potassium found in avocados help regulate the action of the thyroid gland in females, increasing sex drive in women.
Bananas
Both the LibidoIncreasingFood.com and SteadyHealth.com websites note that eating bananas can help stimulate the sex drive in men. Bananas contain the enzyme bromelain and are rich in vitamin B, which increases the production of testosterone in both men and women.
