5 Foods killing your sexual powers and what you should do about it

Editor’s note: Do you find yourself saying ‘not tonight baby’ more often than usual? Many men are under the spell of a decreased sex drive not knowing that something as simple as diet would prove the magic bullet to their woes. Certain foods can lower testosterone, a hormone that drives the human libido, living one with a low sex drive. However, just like everything in life, too much of these foods can take away the desire. In this piece, nutritionist Faith Kariuki Biongo says that if you want to get your bedroom mojo back, then moderate intake of these:

1. Alcohol

Alcohol can decrease your sexual prowess leading to premature ejaculation, erectile difficulties and problems achieving orgasm. The human liver is responsible for regulating hormones in the body. Alcohol interferes with the functions of the liver which in turn affects the body’s ability to regulate hormone distribution, including sex hormones. In men, this can lead to loss of function in the testicles while in women it can affect the function of the ovaries causing hormonal imbalance which can reduce sexual desire, ability to become aroused, lubrication and ability to reach orgasm. Hormonal changes can also affect one’s sexuality.

2. Sugar

Sugar is not unhealthy if consumed in small amounts. However, most people consume it in excess and things get very unhealthy. Insulin, the hormone that regulates the amount of glucose or sugar in the body is associated with low testosterone levels: The more sugar one consumes, the more insulin is released in the body. The higher the amount insulin consumed, the lower the testosterone levels. Sources of simple sugars include table sugar, baked foods like bread, cakes and biscuits, fruit juices, processed foods, soda and other fizzy drinks. If you want to optimise the natural testosterone production, eat more of complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, whole grains and unprocessed foods.

3. Deep Fried foods

Deep fried foods contains trans-fats, oils that have gone through the process of hydrogenation to make them solid and give products a longer shelf life. In large quantities, trans-fats can drastically decreases libido and cause abnormal sperm production in men. Fatty foods also make one feel lethargic and drained affecting their willingness to have sex. Unsaturated fats also termed as good fats found in fish and vegetables contributes in production of testosterone and estrogen hormones.

4. Soy

Soy beans are rich in proteins, vitamin A and Vitamin B among other nutrients. Soy can be consumed as beans, tofu, soy milk and as an ingredient in many processed foods. When eaten frequently and in large quantities, soy can lower the hormone testosterone and affect sperm production. A study by Harvard School of Public Health found that men who ate a lot of soy products had 41million sperms per milliliters less than men who didn’t consume soy products.

5. Fast Foods

Commonly used meats like genetically modified poultry in fast food joints are feared to be fed on junk, pumped with growth hormones, estrogen and anti biotics throughout their life cycle for faster growth ,maturity and rapid weight gain. Consumption of such foods in high quantities may result in hormonal imbalance especially of estrogen and progesterone. Although estrogen is known as a female hormone, it is also produced in men’s bodies but at a low level. Estrogen is partly responsible in creating a healthy sperm. Infertility can occur when estrogen levels in men are high causing a low sperm level in semen. High levels of estrogen can also cause erectile dysfunction making it difficult for men to get or maintain an erection.