In 1996, the average American had sex 138 times a year. Compare that to 2007, when people reported having sex just 85 times a year. That's a staggering 38 percent decrease in a little more than a decade. Furthermore, psychologists estimate that as many as 1 in 5 couples are in a sexless marriage, which means sex less than 10 times a year. In other words, our sex drive is in a deep dive.
One of the big culprits, for both men and women, is obesity. As a person's weight soars, their libido plummets due to biochemical changes that result in diminished blood flow -- there's simply no sex without strong blood flow. And even when Americans do manage to have sex, the extra weight they're bringing to the bedroom also hinders their ability to have children -- with men, it's damaged sperm; with women, it's ovulation problems.
The good news: With some simple changes to your diet, courtesy of David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, co-authors of the national bestselling book Eat This, Not That!, you can revitalize your sex life and reinvigorate your relationship. How? First, as you consume filling foods with fewer calories, you'll begin to shed the weight that's dragging down your desire. Then, because these foods also contain ingredients and nutrients that strategically boost sexual attraction and performance, you'll squeeze even more satisfaction out of each and every sexual encounter.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Breakfast","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Smoothie for him","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
The Built-to-Last Power Smoothie
1 cup blueberries
1 cup vanilla yogurt
2 Tbsp flaxseeds
1 cup orange juice
1 cup ice
Consider this man’s ultimate erection insurance. The main reason? It’s loaded with two of the most potent circulation enhancers out there: soluble fiber and antioxidants. Soluble fiber helps push excess cholesterol through your digestive system before it can be broken down, absorbed, and deposited along the walls of your arteries. Antioxidants attack free radicals before they have the chance to lower nitric oxide levels. And since nitric oxide helps deliver oxygen to your blood, the higher the level, the better your bloodflow.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Smoothie for her","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
The Lusty Latte
2 shots of espresso (or 6 ounces of strong coffee)
1 cup skim milk
2 Tbsp dark chocolate syrup
1 cup crushed ice
More than just providing a caffeine buzz and a host of antioxidants, java increases blood flow to your genitals, making sensitive nerve endings more easily accessed and stimulated. A Southwestern University study even found that female rats wanted more sex after a shot of caffeine. Add to that a big hit of calcium, another important contributor to effective blood flow, and a swirl of chocolate, and you have a scintillating shake to wake up to. Chocolate contains a host of chemicals to brighten your mood, including anadamine, which targets the same receptors as THC, and phenylethylamine, which produces a cozy, euphoric feeling. It’s no wonder a new Italian study of 163 women shows that those who regularly eat chocolate report enhanced sex drive and sexual satisfaction.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","For him: Cinnamon buns","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
The scent of baked cinnamon buns turns a man on. That was the conclusion of neurologists following a unique experiment in which they monitored penile blood flow in 25 medical students while the students sniffed different smells. The researchers exposed the students to a wide range of fragrances, from lily-of-the-valley to rose to musk, but found that cinnamon buns turned men on most. The scents of pumpkin pie, doughnuts, and black licorice also ranked high. Researchers speculate the smells may evoke a nostalgic memory that relaxes a man, making him more aware of sexual cues.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Breakfast sandwich","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
Bacon, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich
The foolish see an Egg McMuffin; you should see the ingredients for sex. The combo provides extra zinc—a mineral that she needs to stay well lubricated and he needs to keep producing semen—and niacin. This B vitamin is essential for the secretion of histamine, the chemical that helps trigger explosive sneezes and orgasms. It also has a perfect balance of fat, since studies have found that too much or too little dietary fat can decrease levels of libido-boosting testosterone.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Midmorning snack","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","For him: Ants on a log","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
It might be kids foods, but it has some very grown up implications. Here's why:
Celery
Every stalk of the stuff is packed with androstenone and androstenol, two pheromones that can help men attract women the way Obama attracts Kennedys. Every time you chew on a stalk of celery, you release these odor molecules, which helps boost your arousal, turning you on and causing your body to send off scents and signals that make you more desirable to women.
Peanut butter
Research shows that men with diets high in monounsaturated fat—the kind found in nuts—have higher testosterone levels than those who don't eat enough of the healthy fat. Plus, nuts are also the best food source of arginine, an amino acid that improves blood flow throughout your body—including below the belt.
Raisins
Raisins are loaded with lignans, phytoestrogens that play an important role in balancing hormones for women. They’re also a potent source of antioxidants, which help encourage blood flow to the nether regions.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","For her: Cranberry juice","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
4 ounces, unsweetened
There are about 8 million cases of urinary tract infections diagnosed each year in the United States, the majority of them occurring in sexually active women since sex can cause bacteria to spread upward into the bladder. Furthermore, 20 percent of women suffer from chronic urinary tract infections, increasing their risk of kidney infections. Ward off the painful infection and keep your sex life vital by drinking half a cup of unsweetened cranberry juice, a natural antibacterial, each day. Research shows that tannins in the juice decrease a woman’s risk of an infection by 34 percent.
If unsweetened juice is too bitter to stomach, try yogurt with “live active cultures.” The yogurt contains probiotic bacteria called Lactobacillus, which helps prevent the spread of E. coli in the urethra. Finnish researchers found that women who ate this type of yogurt three times a week were almost 80 percent less likely to have recently developed a UTI than those who ate it less than once a week.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Valentine's dinner","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Appetizer: Shrimp cocktail","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
Few minerals are more critical for a healthy sex life than zinc, and few foods pack it more potently than crustaceans (yes, raw oysters actually do earn their reputation as an aphrodisiac). Zinc controls progesterone levels, which helps boost libido. It also helps increase sperm levels and fend off impotence in men. Bonus: Shrimp contain a stress-reducing amino acid and the feel-good hormone serotonin.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Entree: Filet mignon","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
The protein from the beef boosts production of dopamine and norepinephrine, hormones that increase alertness and assertiveness in the bedroom. Steak's also stuffed with zinc—a mineral that boosts libido by reducing your body's production of a hormone called prolactin, which may interfere with arousal. And, best of all, eating red meat can help boost your testosterone level while limiting your body's production of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin)—a substance that prevents blood flow to the penis and reduces male sexual stamina. But keep that hunk of beef to 6 ounces: Eating too much (and this goes for everything on the menu) can trigger your body to release cytokines, hormones that induce sleep.";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Side dishes","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
Baked Sweet Potato and Sautéed Spinach
The sweet potato is high in potassium, which helps reduce stress—a great way to curb performance anxiety later that night. Spinach is a potent source of magnesium, which helps dilate blood vessels, ensuring the smooth blood flow that's crucial for strong erections, according to Japanese researchers. Be sure to add lots of fresh cracked pepper to both sides: Black pepper aids digestion, according to an Indian Journal of Medical Research study—helpful for any energetic activities after dinner.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Red wine","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
A glass or two can increase arousal signals between your brain and your genitals. Plus, grape skins contain the antioxidant resveratrol, which increases estrogen production, say Northwestern University researchers, and that heightens sexual appetite and makes lubrication easier for her later in the evening. Pop a bottle made from muscadine grapes since researchers have found that this variety has a higher concentration of reserveratrol than most other reds.
But be sure not to drink too much. While a few drinks can increase arousal signals between your brain and your genitals, more than two glasses will actually depress your nervous system, making it harder for men to maintain an erection. Your best move? Split a bottle between the two of you, but then move on to better things.
";
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i++] = new Array("","Dessert: Sundaes","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
TDY_MH_Eat4sex[i-1].body = "
Vanilla ice cream sundae with dark chocolate and raspberries
When it comes to sex, a small scoop of ice cream is endurance food: It has high levels of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that build your muscles' energy reserves and boost your libido. Just be sure to make it vanilla. A study conducted at Chicago's Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation found that when men smell the scent of vanilla, it relaxes them, reducing anxiety and inhibitions.
Even more important than the ice cream flavor is the toppings you use to crown your bowl. Start with a healthy drizzle of warm dark chocolate syrup. British scientists have discovered that women release four times more endorphins after eating chocolate than they do after making out. Plus, the cocoa in chocolate contains methylxanthines, stimulants that increase your body's sensitivity—ensuring that your skin registers even the slightest touch or movement against it. When it comes to harnessing chocolate's powers, the darker the better; look for a bar with at least 60 percent cacao, then melt it and drizzle it yourself.
Finish your mood-enhancing masterpiece with a handful of raspberries, which have one of the highest densities of anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant that helps with blood flow below the belt.
"; // END editorial data