The Best and Worst Foods for Your Libido

For Excitement

Eat This!
1-OZ DARK CHOCOLATE
162 calories ?11 g fat (6 g saturated)? 10 g sugars

Chocolate is full of anandamide and phenylethylamine, two compounds that cause the body to release the same feel-good endorphins triggered by sex and physical exertion. Cocoa also contains methylxanthines, which make skin sensitive to every touch. Aim for dark chocolate, which packs more cocoa than lighter milk chocolates, and keep portions small.

 Not That!

WHITE CHOCOLATE:  White chocolate isn't technically chocolate, since it doesn't contain any actual cocoa-which means no heightened skin sensitivity, or rush of the feel-good hormone serotonin.

 For Energy

Eat This!
6-OZ SIRLOIN STEAK
414 calories? 24 g fat (10 g saturated)? 46 g protein

Protein has been shown to naturally boost levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, two chemicals in the brain that heighten sensitivity during sex. Your steak is also packed with zinc-a mineral that boosts libido by reducing production of a hormone called prolactin, which may interfere with arousal.

Not That!

AN ENERGY DRINK:  While the caffeine and sky-high sugar content will initially leave you bursting with energy, you're setting yourself up for a major crash not far down the line. Additionally, Canadian scientists found that maintaining a diet high in sugar can temporarily lower your testosterone levels, which in turn can sap your sex drive-whether you're a man or a woman. See, the more testosterone you have, the higher your arousal levels. Too much sugar sends your T into hibernation-and your libido along with it.

For Power

Eat This!
1/2 CUP VANILLA ICE CREAM
137 calories? 7 g fat (4 g saturated)? 14 g sugars?2 g protein

Ice cream has high levels of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that build your muscles' energy reserves and boost your libido. All that calcium-200 milligrams in the typical bowl-can also make you more sexually charged, since the muscles that control sexual response need calcium in order to contract properly.

 Not That!

TOMATOES:  They're great for you in other ways, but tomatoes' lycopene and phytofluene can decrease testosterone levels. The effect isn't dramatic, but you may be better off skipping the marinara sauce if you want to get saucy.

For Performance

Eat This!
1/2 CUP BLUEBERRIES
40 calories ?10 g carbs? 7 g sugars

Forget Viagra. Mother Nature's original blue potency capsules may do even more for you. Blueberries are high in soluble fiber, which helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood before it gets absorbed and deposited on artery walls. Blueberries also relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. For maximum potency and performance, eat a serving of blueberries at least three or four times a week.

 Not That!

SODA:  Soda pop will sap your sex drive. Too much sugar will lead to spikes and crashes in your blood glucose, ultimately sapping your testosterone levels (and your libido).

For Relaxation

Drink This!
A 5-OZ GLASS OF WINE
125 calories?
0 g fat?
1 g sugar

It's true: a glass of wine really does take the edge off. University of Toronto researchers discovered that one alcoholic drink caused people's blood vessels to relax. Booze acts as a depressant in the brain's cerebral cortex, lowering inhibitions that could otherwise restrain arousal.

 Not That!

A HALF BOTTLE OF WINE:  The University of Toronto researchers who found out about wine's relaxing effects also found that drinking more than two glasses of alcohol began to reverse the effects. And research from the University of Washington found that intoxicated men with blood alcohol levels of 0.08 to 0.1 percent (often three drinks or more) were negatively affected as well.