Foods that boost virility

Food performs various functions in the body, the most basic of which is keeping us healthy to be able to meet other obligations, including sexual obligations, especially for men.

Nutritionists say food can boost or bust a man’s libido, depending on what he ingests. Indeed, researchers say it’s impossible to build manly vigour on a diet of denatured foods like processed meats and other junk foods that fill the space these days.

Experts warn that to boost manly strength behind closed doors, men need foods that are well supplied with the elements that give strength and stamina.

Nutritionist and weight loss expert, Dr. Oluwakemi Oluwa, says all foods that are best for building health, pure blood and vitality are also best for virility building, most especially when eaten in their natural form. Indeed, she nails foods that have undergone “processing, refining or improper cooking,” such as refined flour, refined sugar, and polished rice, among others. These foods, she contends, are only filled with pure starch or other carbohydrate, literally starving the nerves, bones and blood vessels of the elements which they need most.

In terms of warning, researchers recommend this diet for the impotent and sexually debilitated men, especially those over 40 years of age. Young men in their prime who scientists consider already sexually overstimulated are advised to use less of eggs and meats — especially red meat, because of its stimulating character.

They also advise that, where possible, a breakfast could consist of mainly fruits and vegetables, with two small portions of solid foods to round off the day.

This being the case, what foods do we have within reach which can give men the sort of strength they always dream of?

Nutritionists recommend full diet for this category of men, with a fairly liberal allowance of meat, eggs and other proteid (protein-rich) foods. Poultry, fish and sea food are said to be of little help here, though their dietary value cannot be contemned. More important, they also advocate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables eaten “as is.”

Top on the list is watermelon. Currently in season and sometimes throughout the year, this fruit is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. It is also considered as a good source of potassium, and a very good source of vitamins A and C. Its crowning glory, however, is citrulline, an amino acid that stimulates nitric-oxide production and increases blood flow to the male organ, strengthening erections.

For those with sweet tooth, it seems to pay off here. Researchers at the University of California say the flavonoids usually found in dark chocolates improved blood-vessel dilation by more than 10 per cent among men that ate it. The result is an improved blood flow to the nether region, with the attendant boost as needed.

Other sources of flavonoids are green and black tea, apples, apricots, blueberries, pears, strawberries, cabbage, onions and tomatoes.

It’s not just the phallus shape of bananas that make them a fruit of interest. Their libido-boosting values are also of great importance. Said to be high in potassium, nutritionists say this lush fruit relaxes blood-vessel walls, allowing for better blood flow throughout the body. Indeed, a study published in the journal, Hypertension, claims “it offsets a high-sodium diet, keeping the blood pressure in check.

Though smelly, the influence that garlic has on men’s sexual well-being overrides its obnoxious smell. This is because this vegetable boosts blood flow to the penis by increasing nitric-oxide production and relaxing the blood vessels.

Walnut is another rich fruit that scientists say boost the libido. In separate researches, the European Food Safety Authority, and researchers at the University of Malaya in Malaysia say L-Arginine, an amino acid found abundantly in the fruit, is one of the building blocks of nitric oxide. As such, they say, a diet that includes these nuts with the rock-hard shell makes for consistent, rock-hard erections.

Ginger is spicy and can be used as food seasoning, meat tenderiser or taken in juice form. Whichever way you like it, a study published in the International Journal of Cardiology claims that ginger rids the blood vessels of free radicals and decreases inflammation, thus relaxing the arteries and improving blood flow. The researchers say just about one teaspoon of ginger (in powder form) a few times a week is all you need to reap its cardiovascular rewards.

Better still, a Nigerian scientist at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Yinusa Raji, reportedly fed rats ginger extract for eight days. At the end of the experiment, he found that their testosterone levels had increased, while their testes had gained weight. The jury is still out on these findings, though.

Nutmeg is also a seasoning agent and it is available in powder or block form — all in its natural state. In a study of natural aphrodisiacs published in the journal, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers say nutmeg increases libido and erectile performance, what with its myristic acid, which they say stimulates the production of nitric oxide, “the key to a healthy erection.”

Olive oil is not only good for anointing, as a study published in the journal, Lipids, seems to suggest. The researchers claim that the revered oil helps increase testosterone production. And when the testosterone level increases, we know better.

So, as the world marks the 15th ‘birthday’ of Viagra, with its controversial side effects, the uplifting — literally — derivable from the aforementioned foods can be indulged in, with no fear of untoward side effects except, possibly, that of a quick visit to the labour room by Oga Madam nine months after.

Punch Nigeria