Food and sex have a lot in common. Both are basic elements of biology that are motivated by a hunger or a drive and both are necessary for survival.

However, they have more in common than some may think.

“Good nutrition absolutely has an impact on your sex drive,” said Stephen M. Judah, a psychologist specializing in sex therapy.

In a general sense, following a healthy diet will keep an individual happy, hyper and healthy.

“Usually when you’re sick, you don’t want to get it on in the sack,” said registered dietitian Janele Bayless.

She said there is evidence of a relationship between foods and moods. Food is something that brings pleasure, so eating foods that are enjoyable, such as chocolate, have the potential to be an aphrodisiac, Bayless said.

The relationship between food and sex gets more intimate than that.

Certain foods have been shown to affect performance in bed.

Circulation is a key to maximizing sexual arousal.

“You need good blood flow to have good sex,” said Cynthia Ruberg, a relationship and sex therapist.

During the peak of sexual excitement, the sex organs become infused with blood, said Dr. Daniel Cannon, a sex therapist. Because of this, the intensity of circulation is essential to sexual performance.

Foods that help with blood flow help with sexual arousal. For example, salmon and avocado help blood flow because they contain large amounts of omega-3, Ruberg said.

Bayless said eating walnuts or adding a spoonful of flaxseeds to cereal can also help improve circulation.

On the other hand, smoking can constrict the blood vessels, which has the opposite effect by making blood circulation less intense, Ruberg said.

Society is constantly bombarded by advertisements expressing the importance of lowering cholesterol for a healthy heart.

However, the ads do not say lowering cholesterol also promotes a healthy sex life. Cholesterol – lowering food is recommended for increasing sexual performance because cholesterol can clog blood flow, Ruberg said.

Oatmeal and granola are good foods to lower cholesterol, Bayless said. These foods also contain the amino acid l-arginine, which is in some herbal supplements and can boost sexual performance, Ruberg said.

Food is not the only thing that affects sexual performance. Drinks can have just as much, if not more influence.

“There is no doubt that alcohol has an effect on sex drive,” Cannon said. “But like Shakespeare said, it can excite the drive but lower the performance.”

Ruberg suggests red wine or red grape juice to increase sexual performance as studies have shown that they can help lower cholesterol.

When looking to beef up sex lives, it is important not to confuse sex drive, or the motivation to have sex, with arousal, Ruberg said.

Several myths claim certain foods such as oysters, muffins or tomatoes are aphrodisiacs.

“People started taking ginseng because the old myth is that ‘like influences like,'” Cannon said. “If the root is shaped like a penis, it would enhance the performance of the penis. But that’s baloney.”

“If the food makes you relaxed … that can be sexy,” Ruberg said. “But as far as getting turned on by food, that’s far-fetched.”

Erin Pompili can be reached at [email protected].