Can particular foods help improve sexual performance?

There are a few key food nutrients that are clearly linked to sexual performance. First are foods that promote the production of a chemical in the body called nitric oxide. This is actually a gas that is released in minute amounts in the tissues of the penis, clitoris, and labia during sexual arousal. Nitric oxide is what opens up blood vessels, allowing for the swelling and increased sensitivity that come with sexual excitement.

Nitric oxide is made from an amino acid called arginine, which is found in particular abundance in the following foods:

• Beans
• Walnuts
• Cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna
• Soy products
• Oats
• Almonds

Another class of nutrients important for sexual health are the bioflavonoids. These are plant compounds that work like antioxidants, scavenging by-products of the body's metabolism or harmful molecules resulting from exposure to environmental pollutants like smog, cigarette smoke, or pesticides. Fruit and vegetables are the main sources of bioflavonoids. The list below shows the types of bioflavonoids and some of the best food sources for each:

• Anthocyanidins: berries, cherries, grapes, fruit skins, and true fruit juices
• Catechins: true teas (not herbal teas)
• Flavanones: citrus fruits
• Flavones: whole grains, celery, parsley, and herbs
• Flavonols: grapefruit, oranges, apple skins, berries, onions, endive, radishes, tomatoes, leeks, broccoli, and red wine