Foods That Increase Sexual Stamina

Sexual stamina is the ability to prolong the act of lovemaking, according to AskMen.org. The hormone testosterone plays an important role in the sex drive of both men and women. As men and women age, their testosterone levels decrease leading to a decrease is sexual desire, says the Mayo Clinic. Nutrients found in certain foods have been shown to increase testosterone production and may help increase sexual stamina.

Oysters

Oysters contain 76.7 mg of zinc per six oyster serving, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, meeting 513 percent of the daily value. Foods high in zinc, like oysters, play a role in testosterone production and may help increase sexual stamina. A 1996 study published in the journal "Nutrition" investigated the relationship between zinc status and serum testosterone in healthy males. Serum testosterone levels were measured during a period of marginal zinc deficiency and than again when zinc intake was increased. The authors of the study reported a significant increase in serum testosterone levels once zinc status returned to normal.

Beef Shanks

Beef shanks also contain a significant amount of zinc, providing 8.9 mg in a 3-ounce serving. Adult men need 11 mg of zinc a day and adult women need 8 mg a day, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Beef shanks come from the lower part of the front or rear leg of the cow. It is a tough meat and is best prepared by slow cooking in a liquid, according to Chow.com.

Beans

Beans contain a significant amount of a trace element called boron. Preliminary studies have linked boron with testosterone production. A 1986 study published in the "Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology" investigated the effect of dietary boron on the metabolism of estrogen and testosterone in postmenopausal women. The women with higher intakes of boron also had higher estrogen and testosterone levels. Men and women can add beans to their salad, rice and pasta dishes to increase their sexual stamina.

Grapes

Plant foods seem to be the primary source of boron in the diet, according to the authors of the "FASEB" study. Grapes also contain a significant amount of boron and may help increase testosterone production to increase sexual stamina in men and women.