While not all claims are true that connect eating certain foods with improved sexual endurance, there is research that supports the aphrodisiac effect of some foods. "There's a growing body of evidence that some of the vitamins and components in foods can enhance sexual function and sexual experience," says Dr. Jennifer R. Berman, the director of the Berman Women's Wellness Center in Beverly Hills, California.
Chocolate
Dark chocolate can enhance sexual endurance because of a compound it contains called phenylethylamine, which releases the same endorphins triggered by sex. Dark chocolate also contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid involved in the production of serotonin. "Increased levels of serotonin are associated with feelings of being relaxed and satisfied," says Jessica Baye, a registered dietitian and clinical nutrition manager for MCGHealth in Augusta, Georgia. These feelings can help initiate and prolong sexual experiences. Additionally, an Italian study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2006 reported that those who ate at least one cube of dark chocolate daily experienced more sexual desire and overall greater sexual function than those who did not consume dark chocolate.
Seafood
Many types of seafood contain high levels of zinc, which can support sexual health. According to Baye, zinc is involves in the stimulation of the hormone testosterone essential for sexual endurance. Seafood can also behave like an aphrodisiac because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for a healthy heart. Sexual endurance is improved when cardiovascular health is operating optimally. Oily fish such as wild salmon and herring are sources of fatty acids.
Wheat Germ
Wheat germ is a major source of vitamin E, which can support sexual endurance. "Vitamin E is often called the main sex vitamin," says Lauri Grossman, the chair of the Department of Medicine and Humanistic Studies at the American Medical College of Homeopathy. "It's a powerful anti-aging antioxidant that protects cell membranes from free-radical damage and is required for the synthesis of hormones."
Spicy Foods
Eating chili peppers can improve sex because they contain capsaicin, which is a chemical that produces signs of arousal in the body, such as rapid heart rate and sweating, says Pepper Schwartz, a Seattle-based psychologist and chief relationship expert at PerfectMatch.com. "Anything that starts a sweating reaction, whether it's in your palms or your forehead, starts it everywhere," she says. "Spicy foods, like hot chili peppers, get your blood flowing--and increased blood flow is an arousal mechanism that gets your juices going."
Low-fat Diet
A Netherlands study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2007 found that women who have high cholesterol report they have difficulty with arousal and orgasm. "Cholesterol can build up on the walls of the arteries of the body, including those to the pelvic area," says Dr. Stephanie Buehler, a psychologist and sex therapist in Irvine, California. "Researchers speculate that when blood flow to the pelvic area is restricted, there can be less sensation in the genitals. That can make orgasm more difficult, which can in turn make sex frustrating."
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