Satisfying sex is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

As my gynecologist told me years ago after our third child was born and I was in the thick of parenting, pleasurable sex is something you need to schedule and practice. She warned me to use it or lose it, and I never forgot her recommendation to make sexy time a priority.

Everything I share is about creating abundance through habits that bring us more of what we desire most. Resilient wellness, restorative sleep, boundless energy, a body we love, clarity of mind, and the list wouldn’t be complete without including awesome sex.

Benefits of a Healthy Sex Life

Sex is good for us, and the benefits of a healthy sex life can include the following:

• Strengthened immune system
• Lower blood pressure
• Better sleep
• Increased libido
• Higher self-esteem
• Reduced stress
• Strengthened pelvic floor

Feeling sexy is a superpower, but our libido is a complex web of psychological, biological, and sub-cultural influences. Suffice it to say that sex drive can fluctuate significantly depending on our habitual behaviors and inconsistent hormone levels.

The best news is we can increase our sex drive using Wellness Karma: better sleep, moving more, stressing less, a positive mindset, and cooking, eating and hydrating intentionally can all help improve our libido.

Food plays a significant role in nourishing our sex lives.

Food and habit determine how well our body functions. When we fill our bodies with processed foods, artificial ingredients, inflammatory oils, and sweeteners that wreck our blood sugar, our sexual health gets trashed.

Conversely, a diet filled with whole foods, plants and lean protein supports a healthy sex drive. In particular, foods rich in zinc, B vitamins, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids are considered natural libido boosters.

• Oysters, chicken, salmon, and nuts are good sources of zinc and protein which support a healthy libido. Zinc is a mineral that increases blood flow, including blood flow to our sex organs. Salmon and nuts also contain omega-3 fats to support a healthy heart, raising dopamine levels in the brain that help trigger arousal. Research shows that women who regularly consume fish have more sexual desire and better sexual function than those who consume little or no fish.
• Seeds contain vitamins and minerals that can help increase sexual function. Flax seeds, in particular, are a natural libido booster for women. They are bursting with phytoestrogens that mimic the female hormones linked to a robust sex life.
• Lesser known Fenugreek seeds provide an array of exciting libido-boosting health benefits. They increase the level of estradiol, the female sex hormone that stimulates vaginal lubrication and improves blood flow to the genital area. 7-8 soaked seeds a day can increase sexual desire and arousal in women. Soak the fenugreek seeds in water overnight and take 7-8 on an empty stomach in the morning.
• There is an Eve irony in this, but an apple a day can support overall health and nourish our sexual appetite. A study found that women who regularly eat apples have greater sexual satisfaction than women who don’t. Apple skins contain phloridzin, a compound that improves vaginal lubrication and increases oxygen and blood flow in the general direction of female reproductive organs. Apples have dozens of other wellness benefits, and adding an apple a day is a habit worth cultivating.
• Saffron has been used for centuries in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac. There are two active ingredients in saffron, crocin and safranal, which contribute to the libido-boosting effects of this delicious spice. Regularly consuming saffron in recipes and tea can induce feelings of overall well-being, and improve mood and enhance sexual arousal.

Suffice it to say that good sex starts in the kitchen with a nourishing diet and specific foods that stack the odds in your favor for maintaining a healthy libido.

The recipe for Sexy Apples with Saffron and Fenugreek will nourish every aspect of your life, especially your sex life.

Kristen Coffield

I am a passionate advocate for food as medicine, life navigator and culinary coach. This is my space for sharing what excites, inspires and motivates me to live my best life. It began as a recipe blog for nourishing, simple, weekday meals and has become something much bigger… a guide to resilient wellness. I am excited to share my knowledge of how daily habits can cumulatively help you to live like you mean it and age like you want to.