Nitric Oxide and Intimacy: 10 Best Foods to Boost Nitric Oxide production

Nitric oxide, the “miracle molecule,” signals your blood vessels to relax and dilate.  Therefore, Nitric Oxide production plays an important role in both men and women’s health.  Specifically, nitric oxide helps improve blood flow, lowers blood pressure, increases exercise performance, boosts arousal and is crucial for sexual function.

Nitric Oxide production and aging

By as we age, Nitric Oxide production in our bodies decrease.   As a matter of fact, studies have shown that by the time we reach age 40, our bodies make less than half the amount of Nitric Oxide  Specifically, men produced about 50% and women produce only 35% of the Nitric Oxide that they did in their twenties.

Diet and Nitric Oxide Production

Our bodies convert Nitrates in the foods we consume into Nitric Oxide by oral nitrate-reducing bacteria. Therefore, the foods we eat affect our Nitric Oxide levels.  In addition, using antiseptic mouthwash destroys the good bacteria in your mouth needed to convert dietary nitrates to Nitric Oxide.Eating plenty of fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables and healthy proteins boosts Nitric Oxide production improving your sex life and overall health.  The following are the 10 best foods to boost Nitric Oxide Production:

BEETS

Beets, rich in dietary nitrates.  Studies have shown that drinking just 3.4 ounces of beetroot juice significantly increases NO levels in both men and women.   Due to its rich dietary nitrates, beets help lower blood pressure, boost sexual performance and improve cognitive function

GARLIC

People often take garlic supplements to help with blood pressure.  Well, scientific evidence validates the beneficial effects of garlic. Garlic boosts NO levels because it activates the enzyme that assists in the conversion of nitric oxide from the amino acid L-arginine. As a result, garlic enhances the bio-availability of nitric oxide

MEAT, POULTRY and SEAFOOD

Healthy animal proteins provide coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) which helps preserve nitric oxide in the body.  In addition, CoQ10 improves physical stamina, prevents migraines and promotes heart health.  Fatty fish, beef, and chicken provide the highest concentrations of coQ10

DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate earns its reputation as a strong aphrodisiac.  Not only does it boost your sexual vitality, but because of its high flavanol content, it also provides many powerful health benefits.  Research shows that dark chocolate’s flavanols optimize nitric oxide levels lowers blood pressure, promotes heart health and protects cells from oxidative damage.

LEAFY GREENS

Popeye was right about eating spinach.  Green vegetables such as spinach, kale, arugula and cabbage supply high levels of nitrates which our body’s convert to NO.

CITRUS FRUITS

Fruits rich in Vitamin C such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit provide many health benefits.   Vitamin C increases the bio-availability of nitric oxide and maximizes its absorption in the body.

POMEGRANATE

Pomegranate, the original “forbidden fruit” of the Garden of Eden and a powerful antioxidant, protects cells from oxidative damage and preserves nitric oxide.  Studies show that pomegranates, rich in antioxidants, enhance blood flow which benefits conditions such as high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction.

NUTS and SEEDS

Nuts and seeds, rich in arginine, help lower blood pressure, improve cognitive function and increase stamina. Arginine is an amino acid necessary for the production of nitric oxide

WATERMELON

Watermelon is rich in the amino acid L-citrulline.   Out body converts L-citrulline to arginine, crucial for the production of nitric oxide.  Therefore, since watermelon is one of the best sources of L-citrulline, it boosts nitric oxide production and enhances blood flow

RED WINE

A glass of red wine may boost your sex life.  Specifically, red wine rich in antioxidants, boosts levels of nitric oxide synthase, an enzyme needed for the production of nitric oxide.     Therefore, a glass of red wine not only may get you in the mood, but it also helps protect the lining of your blood vessels and overall health.

In summary Nitric Oxide is crucial to a healthy sex life

Nitric oxide influences many aspects of our health because it relaxes smooth muscles in our blood vessels increasing blood flow to all our vital organs and muscles.  In addition to taking Nitric Oxide supplements and precursors L-arginine and L-citrulline, you can improve NO levels by dietary changes.