MEDITERRANEAN SEX

HOW A MEDITERRANEAN DIET CAN IMPROVE YOUR SEXUAL HEALTH

Would you rather reach for a takeout menu than reach into your partner’s underwear? Your diet may very well be to blame. Although fast food, takeaways and microwave meals are cheap and convenient… let’s not forget that you are what you eat. And who wants to be a lukewarm, soggy TV dinner?

However, there is a way you can change up the food you eat and change up your sex life at the same time.

Did you know that moving to a diet rich in vegetables, seafood and grains can boost your libido, get your blood pumping and most importantly… help you get your significant other off?
So before you crack open that vial of little blue pills, why not see if making a change to the well-renowned Mediterranean diet can get you and your partner feeling a little bit saucier.

Join us as we take a look at the Mediterranean diet, some examples of delicious meals you can enjoy on the plan and how it can help get you in the mood for the best sex of your life!

What is the Mediterranean diet?

Several decades ago in the 1960s, dietitians noticed that people in Mediterranean countries like Italy, Morocco, Bosnia, Greece and Turkey were living longer, healthier lives than people in America.

These dieticians started researching these people’s lifestyles and the food they consumed, and the Mediterranean diet was born! Research carried out in Italy has shown that those over the age of 65 that adhere to a Mediterranean diet are 25% less likely to die than people who don’t.

The term ‘diet’ is a bit of a misnomer when it comes to this way of eating. It’s more of a lifestyle change. By making the switch to clean, unprocessed foods, you can not only lose weight and feel healthier, but also supercharge your sex life.

So, what foods can you eat on the Mediterranean diet?

Vegetables like spinach, onions, cucumbers and tomatoes. Potatoes are fine to eat too, as long as you don’t eat them in the form of fries or chips!

-Fruits like apples, dates, melons and oranges Nuts and seeds -Beans and legumes
-Wholegrain bread and pasta, as well as grains like couscous and quinoa

-Fish and seafood
-Extra virgin olive oil as well as healthy fats like avocados and nut oils
You can eat poultry, eggs, red meat and dairy produce in moderation, but you need to
avoid processed foods high in sugar and fat like cakes, white bread and margarine.
Our favorite things to eat on this diet are fish, chickpeas, tomatoes and aubergines, alongside the occasional meal of grilled lamb. As we like a Moroccan slant to the foods
listed above, we love to season our meals liberally with spices like cumin, ginger, paprika and chili’s too!

Trust us. Follow this diet and the only thing that will be ‘extra virgin’ will be the oil that you drizzle on your salads!

So… how can you use the foods mentioned above to get your partner in the mood before you get down to business?
Here’s an example of a delicious three-course meal you can serve that will get your loved one’s pulse racing!

Starters: Why not start with a zesty salad with tomatoes, olives and feta cheese, with a crusty slice of granary bread on the side? Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which can relax blood vessels and help get you and your partner aroused.

Alternatively, why not try some raw oysters on ice? Casanova started his day with dozens of oysters, and he slept with over 130 women! Oysters are incredibly high in zinc which helps to create testosterone, which can kick-start your libido.

Main course: For mains, give the catch of the day a go! Griddle a salmon fillet or a tuna steak and serve with potatoes and your favourite vegetables.

At chahitini, Our recommendation? Pop some asparagus or slices of zucchini on the griddle pan with your fish! Serve your meal alongside some lemon wedges and fresh dill for a truly mouth- watering experience. Fish is chock-full of omega-three fatty acids which helps you produce sex hormones like oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Dessert:

For dessert, try a platter piled high with colourful, juicy fruits. Do what the Romans used to do and ramp up the sexual tension between you by feeding each other straight from the plate!

Bonus points for including the sauciest fruits you can, like figs, papayas and melons. We’re sure we don’t need to tell you what they look like when they are cleaved open…

Did you know that consuming a high amount of fruit can help reduce the likelihood of erectile dysfunction by 14%? Fruit contains antioxidants called flavonoids which increase blood flow in the body and mean you are more likely to maintain a hard-on. At Chahitini we serve a lot of fruits.

The majority of foods on the Mediterranean diet are nice and light, so you won’t feel bloated and gassy before you make that all- important trip to the bedroom! (or the kitchen floor, or the sofa in the lounge… we won’t judge.)

The bonus of the Mediterranean diet is unlike most dietary regimes; you can drink in moderation. Make the most of this and split a delectable bottle of red wine with your meal.
Do be careful not to overindulge though…too much vino can give you a bad case of what is known in the trade as ‘brewer’s droop.’ While we’re on the subject of brewer’s droop…

Does the Mediterranean diet cut the risk of erectile dysfunction?

We’ve all been there before… you’re in the bedroom getting hot and heavy, and Mr Happy won’t come out to play.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it?

However, did you know that the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of this happening?

The University of Athens carried out a study which showed that a diet rich in olive oil, fruit and vegetables can boost your sexual

prowess. Those that stuck to the diet were 40% less likely to suffer from the dreaded erectile dysfunction.

So, how come the Mediterranean diet keeps the droopy dick at bay? Thank the olive oil. This superfood promotes the dilation of arteries in the penis, which means it’s easier to get, and keep, an erection.

The study showed that men on the diet were also more likely to have higher testosterone levels, a hormone which is critical for supercharging your sex drive!

What can we say? Keep up the Mediterranean diet, and it will thank you by keeping you up too!

HOW DOES THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET BOOST SEXUAL HEALTH IN WOMEN?

Okay, we’ve looked at how men can benefit from the Mediterranean diet; let’s take a look at how it can help women recharge their sex life as well!

The Mediterranean diet is rich in vitamins and minerals, which can boost libido and get you in the mood; whether it’s with a partner or if you want to play on your own!
For example, nuts, seeds and leafy vegetables are rich in vitamin E, which increases blood flow to the vagina and increases lubrication. Another advantage is that this vitamin is great for hair, skin and nails too!

Fruits, vegetables, potatoes and tubers are full of vitamin C which will give you a stamina boost and turn you into the Duracell bunny in bed!

Similarly, did you know 40% of the US population has a vitamin B12 deficiency? Enjoy fish a couple of times a week, and you’ll feel a whole lot more energised in the boudoir!

What other health benefits does the Mediterranean diet have?

The Mediterranean diet won’t just give you the horn; it will provide you with a wide range of other health benefits too!
This diet can result in weight loss as well as prevent heart attacks, type 2 diabetes and strokes.

It can also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. There are a lot of studies out there that prove the benefits, but as an example, women
who followed this diet had a 25% reduced risk of heart disease over the course of 12 years. Remember, if you feel healthier, you are more likely to feel more confident in the
bedroom!

In conclusion

Making the switch to the Mediterranean diet will not only help you become healthier but will make you more energetic and much more turned on!
Indulge in more fruit, vegetables, fish and nuts and prepare for a lot more passion.

The other great thing about this diet is that there is a large focus on sociability and being with other people. In the modern age, we often end up eating on the go on our own, which can make us feel irritable and put up a barrier to others.

The Mediterranean diet encourages us all to enjoy long leisurely meals with our partners, which does wonders when it comes to intimacy and initiating lovemaking.