Simply put, libido is a person's sex drive. Lust and sexual desire are affected by many factors, including hormones, stress, alcohol and nutrition. Overlooking important vitamins and minerals in your diet can actually hurt your sex drive.
Here are six nutrients—and foods that contain them—that will give your libido a jump start this February.
Vitamin A
1 of 7
Aids in regulating synthesis of the sex hormone progesterone
Foods that contain it: sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, cantaloupe, peppers and mango
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
2 of 7
Essential for optimal nerve transmission and energy production throughout the body, which heavily impacts sex drive
Foods that contain it: meat, legumes, whole-grain bread products, yeast and soy milk
Vitamin B6
3 of 7
Balances out sex hormone levels by correcting low progesterone in women
Foods that contain it: meats, veggies, whole-grain products, nuts and bananas
Vitamin C
4 of 7
This antioxidant is heavily involved in the synthesis and regulation of sex hormones
Foods that contain it: oranges, lemons, limes, strawberries, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, green peppers, broccoli, kale, cranberries and tomatoes
Vitamin E
5 of 7
The king of sex vitamins; vitally important for men and women!
Foods that contain it: green veggies including spinach, kale and broccoli, plus canola oil, olive oil, sunflower oil and nuts
Magnesium
6 of 7
Important in the production of sex hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate sexual urge
Foods that contain it: nuts, legumes, oats, barley, beans, black-eyed peas, peanut butter and sunflower seeds
7 of 7
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