5 Foods that Can Kill Your Sex Drive

Not in the mood? That cheeseburger and fries you had for lunch today may be dampening your desire. Believe it or not, your sex drive is affected by many of the lifestyle choices you make from day to day, including what you eat and drink. Some of these choices, like eating gassy foods or drinking too much vino, can affect you the very same day (or night). Others, like indulging in fatty or sugary foods, may not interfere with your sex life right now, but are likely to take a toll on your libido in the long run.

  • Too Much Fiber. If you're like most people, more is usually better when it comes to the amount whole grains, legumes, vegetables and other high-fiber foods you include in your diet.  Eating too much of any of these foods, however, can result in bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation-conditions rarely associated with sexual desire. When you add more fiber to your normal diet, do so very gradually to avoid these side effects and be sure to drink plenty of fluids at the same time.
  • Drinks with Dinner. A little alcohol can go a long way toward loosening inhibitions, but imbibe more than a drink or two and you may lose interest.  Alcohol ultimately has a depressive effect on your body that can make it more difficult to become sexually aroused and achieve an orgasm.
  • Coffee, Tea or Me?  For some people, caffeinated beverages act as diuretics, causing a frequent need to eliminate excess fluids. In large doses, caffeine can also cause stomach or intestinal distress. If you overdo it, or if you're not used to drinking caffeinated beverages and you suddenly start, you could find yourself spending more time in the bathroom and less in the bedroom.
  • Fatty Foods.  You already know a high-fat diet can result in atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) that can lead to heart attack or stroke. But did you know that blocked arteries also affect your sex life?  "All blood vessels in the body are affected by atherosclerosis, including those in the genital and pelvic area," says gynecologist Michael Krychman, M.D., executive director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship. "For men, erectile dysfunction is often the first sign of underlying atherosclerosis and there is emerging evidence that this condition also affects women by interfering with lubrication and diminishing sexual arousal."
  • Sweet Stuff. When you eat more sugar than your body needs for energy, the excess is converted into fats called triglycerides. Triglycerides travel through your bloodstream and are stored as body fat. On the way, some of these fats can stick to artery walls and, along with cholesterol, block the blood vessels that lead to the genital area.

For optimal sexual health, the advice seems clear: Choose a diet that's low in fat and moderate in everything else, including alcohol and caffeine. Sound familiar?