These 6 foods to improve your sex life come doctor-approved (and might just surprise you)

Dr Clare Bailey is a GP and co-founder of the Fast 800 eating plan - along with her husband Dr Michael Mosley. Below, she writes for Women's Health on how the foods you eat can improve your sex life.

And, remember, a healthy sex life isn't just about experiencing pleasure. Research shows people with healthy and satisfying sex lives have stronger immune systems, improved cardiovascular health, higher self esteem and lower incidents of anxiety and depression

Eating nutritious whole foods is essential for keeping you physically and mentally healthy. But did you know some foods can even improve your sexual functioning too?

There are several ways that a nutritious diet can benefit your sex life: it can boost your libido, improve blood flow and heart health, improve stamina, and can raise the levels of hormones that cause arousal.

While you might be familiar with some foods such as oysters, asparagus or chocolate being commonly believed to be aphrodisiacs, their effects on sexual experience are often not backed by science or credible studies.

The benefits of a Mediterranean diet, however, have been well researched and it is known to promote the eating of nutritious foods that are backed by science, many of which are foods that improve your sex life.

How does a Mediterranean-style diet improve your sex life?

A Mediterranean-style diet has been shown to improve sexual function in both men and women. In one study, women who consistently ate a Mediterranean-style diet found that multiple aspects of female sexuality were enhanced by the diet, including improving desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction.

Another trial found that men who consumed more fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and olive oil over a two-year period reported an improvement in erectile function, compared with those who did not adhere to a Mediterranean-style diet.

Stress factors can affect your libido

We know that a healthy and happy mind can lead to a healthy and happy sex life and stress is known to adversely affect libido and sexual functioning, so it makes sense to choose a diet that is rich in mood-boosting nutrients.

Which are the best foods to put you in the mood, and how do they do it? Let's take a look at the top foods from a Mediterranean-style diet that can improve your sex life, and explore how they boost hormones, keep blood flowing and help you de-stress.

Plant-based foods that contain phytoestrogens, such as flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and chickpeas have a similarity to women’s oestrogen levels, the primary sex hormone.

Not only does this help with symptoms of menopause, which is often a time in a woman’s life when her overall sexual activity declines for a number of reasons, but it can also improve a woman's libido.

Fatty fish, such as salmon, anchovies, tuna and mussels are all excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and have been suggested to prevent the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This promotes blood flow to all the important areas of the body during sex.

Foods that are rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are also shown to help increase testosterone levels in men, and this crucial hormone plays a big part in sex drive and performance.

Pistachio nuts are rich in protein, fibre and healthy fats. They help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease (which can lead to side effects such as sexual dissatisfaction).

A lesser known benefit is that they may also help reduce symptoms of erectile dysfunction. One study showed males who consumed 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of pistachio nuts daily for three weeks experienced firmer erections and increased blood flow to the penis.

Leafy greens such as spinach, kale and Swiss chard are brilliant sources of magnesium, which has been shown to positively affect testosterone levels.

In fact, a 2011 study found that taking magnesium supplements for 4 weeks promoted an increase in testosterone levels regardless of whether they were active or sedentary individuals.

Beetroots are high in vitamins, antioxidants and nitrates which may make this a good food to improve your sex life as nitrates expand blood vessels and improve blood flow.

Some studies have shown that beetroot juice given as a single dose or over a few days may improve performance at intermittent, high-intensity efforts and improve indicators of muscular fatigue.

Fermented foods, such as kimchi, are packed with probiotics, vitamins and minerals and have also been shown to help to reduce stress and anxiety, perhaps due to their impact on your gut microbiome.

One study of 710 young adults, in particular, found that those who ate fermented foods experienced fewer symptoms of anxiety. Less stress and anxiety equals a more fulfilled sex life.