---
title: Can Food Boost Your Libido? What the Evidence Says
description: Can food boost your libido? What the evidence says about aphrodisiacs, which foods support sexual health, and when to see a doctor about low libido.
---

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# Foods That Increase Libido: What the Evidence Actually Says

[![Robbie Clark](https://blog.healthbank.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Authors/robbie-clark-avatar.png?width=32&height=32&name=robbie-clark-avatar.png)Robbie Clark](https://www.healthbank.io/p/robbie-clark) 26 Oct 2026

Written by [Robbie Clark](https://www.healthbank.io/p/robbie-clark), BExSc (Nutrition), M (Nutr+Diet), Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Exercise Scientist · Last updated 19 October 2026 · [7 references](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#references)

The short answer

- **No single food is a proven aphrodisiac.** Oysters, chocolate and watermelon have the reputation, but not the evidence.
- **Your overall diet does matter.** In trials, a Mediterranean-style diet and weight loss improved sexual function in men and women.[1](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-1),[2](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-2)
- **Foods worth eating:** fruit (especially berries and citrus), vegetables, nuts, wholegrains, olive oil and fish.[2](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-2),[3](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-3)
- **See a doctor** if low libido or erection problems are ongoing. They can be a sign of other health issues, including heart disease.[4](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-4),[6](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-6)

Oysters, chocolate, watermelon – plenty of foods have a reputation as aphrodisiacs. But can what you eat really affect your sex drive? The answer is more about your overall eating pattern than any one "sexy" food. Here's what the evidence shows.

## Can food really boost your libido?

Not directly. Libido, or sexual desire, is affected by many things: your relationship, stress, mood, sleep, physical health, hormones and some medications.[6](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-6),[7](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-7) No food has been shown to increase desire on its own.

But diet can affect the things sexual function depends on, like healthy blood vessels, a healthy weight and your overall wellbeing. Erections, and arousal in women, depend on good blood flow, so the same eating habits that protect your heart also support your sexual health.

## How does diet affect sexual function?

In a two-year trial, men with obesity and erectile dysfunction who lost weight, ate a Mediterranean-style diet and exercised more saw their erectile function improve. About a third reached a score in the normal range, compared with about 1 in 20 in the control group.[1](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-1)

A similar trial in women with metabolic syndrome found that a Mediterranean-style diet, with more fruit, vegetables, nuts, wholegrains and olive oil, improved overall sexual function scores over two years.[2](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-2)

Both were small studies in people with health conditions, so the results may not apply to everyone. But they suggest your overall diet matters more than any single food.

Get support from a practitioner who helps with hormone health

Find practitioners on HealthBank who work with hormone health and thyroid conditions. Many offer a free discovery call, online, by phone or in person.

[Find a men's health practitioner →](https://www.healthbank.io/practitioners?specialties%5B%5D=Hormone+Health&specialties%5B%5D=Hypothyroidism)

## Which foods are linked with better sexual health?

- **Fruit, especially berries and citrus.** In a study of more than 25,000 men, those who ate the most flavonoids, found in berries, citrus and some vegetables, had a 9–11% lower risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Men who ate the most fruit had a 14% lower risk.[3](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-3)
- **Mediterranean staples:** vegetables, legumes, nuts, wholegrains, olive oil and fish. These were the foods eaten in the trials that improved sexual function.[1](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-1),[2](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-2)
- **Leafy greens and beetroot.** These contain nitrates, which your body uses to make nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax blood vessels.
- **Oysters and other zinc-rich foods**, like shellfish, red meat, pumpkin seeds and cashews. Zinc is needed to make testosterone. If you're low in zinc, correcting it may help, but extra zinc won't raise testosterone if your levels are normal.[5](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-5)
- **Linseeds (flaxseeds).** Some research suggests a couple of dessertspoons a day may help with vaginal dryness.[7](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-7)

## What about chocolate, watermelon and other aphrodisiacs?

Dark chocolate, watermelon, figs and strawberries are often called aphrodisiacs, but there's little good evidence that they affect desire or performance.[7](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-7) Enjoy them as part of a balanced diet, but don't expect them to do the work of a healthy lifestyle.

Be wary of "natural" libido products sold online. Information about natural therapies should come from a qualified practitioner, and some of these products may not be what they claim.[7](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-7)

Erection problems? Get your heart checked

Erectile dysfunction often appears before heart disease and can be an early warning sign. If you're having ongoing erection problems, see your doctor for a check-up.[4](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-4)

## When should you see a doctor about low libido?

A dip in desire during stressful times or illness is normal. But if low libido lasts, worries you or affects your relationship, talk to your doctor. Possible causes include:[6](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-6),[7](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-7)

- Stress, depression or anxiety
- Relationship problems
- Some medications, including certain antidepressants
- Thyroid problems, low iron or low testosterone
- Menopause and vaginal dryness
- Alcohol and recreational drug use

Your doctor may order blood tests depending on your symptoms. Testosterone treatment can help if your levels are low, but there's no evidence it boosts libido when your levels are normal.[6](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-6) Counselling, on your own or with your partner, can help when stress or relationship issues are involved. MensLine Australia (1300 78 99 78) offers 24/7 support.[6](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-6)

Get support from a practitioner who helps with hormone health

Find practitioners on HealthBank who work with hormone health and thyroid conditions. Many offer a free discovery call, online, by phone or in person.

[Find a hormone health practitioner →](https://www.healthbank.io/practitioners?specialties%5B%5D=Hormone+Health&specialties%5B%5D=Hypothyroidism)

## Frequently asked questions

### What foods increase libido?

No single food is proven to, but a Mediterranean-style diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, nuts, wholegrains, olive oil and fish supports sexual health.[1](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-1),[2](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-2)

### Are oysters an aphrodisiac?

Oysters are rich in zinc, which is needed to make testosterone. But extra zinc only helps if you're low in it.[5](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-5)

### Does dark chocolate boost libido?

There's little good evidence that it does.

### Can diet help erectile dysfunction?

It may. In a trial, weight loss with a Mediterranean-style diet and exercise improved erectile function in about a third of men.[1](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-1)

### When should I see a doctor about low libido?

If it lasts, worries you or affects your relationship, or if you have erection problems.[4](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-4),[6](https://blog.healthbank.io/can-food-boost-your-libido-what-the-evidence-says#ref-6)

## References

**Research**

1. Esposito K, Giugliano F, Di Palo C, et al. Effect of lifestyle changes on erectile dysfunction in obese men: a randomized controlled trial. *JAMA.* 2004;291(24):2978–2984. [View source](https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.291.24.2978)
2. Esposito K, Ciotola M, Giugliano F, et al. Mediterranean diet improves sexual function in women with the metabolic syndrome. *Int J Impot Res.* 2007;19(5):486–491. [PubMed 17673936](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17673936/)
3. Cassidy A, Franz M, Rimm EB. Dietary flavonoid intake and incidence of erectile dysfunction. *Am J Clin Nutr.* 2016;103(2):534–541. [PubMed 26762373](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26762373/)
4. Gandaglia G, Briganti A, Jackson G, et al. A systematic review of the association between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. *Eur Urol.* 2014;65(5):968–978. [PubMed 24011423](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24011423/)
5. Prasad AS, Mantzoros CS, Beck FW, et al. Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults. *Nutrition.* 1996;12(5):344–348. [PubMed 8875519](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8875519/)

**Australian guidelines**

1. Healthy Male (Andrology Australia). Low sex drive. [View source](https://healthymale.org.au/mens-health/low-sex-drive)
2. Jean Hailes for Women's Health. Expert tips to boost your libido. [View source](https://jeanhailes.org.au/news/expert-tips-to-boost-your-libido)

*This article is general information, not medical advice. Speak with your doctor or practitioner about your sexual health.*

[Hormones](https://blog.healthbank.io/tag/hormones)

[![Robbie Clark](https://blog.healthbank.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Authors/robbie-clark-avatar.png?width=72&height=72&name=robbie-clark-avatar.png)](https://www.healthbank.io/p/robbie-clark)

Written by **[Robbie Clark](https://www.healthbank.io/p/robbie-clark)**

Robbie is a Sydney-based Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Exercise Scientist with over 17 years of experience. He holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science (Nutrition) and a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics, and is the Director and Co-founder of HealthBank.

[Book a free 15-min call](https://dashboard.healthbank.io/booking/attendance-modes?practitionerId=7a900b23-04a3-4c3c-b14e-e3405c1af6d7&consultationTypeId=4e536270-c479-40a5-af89-691502f4578d) [View Robbie's profile →](https://www.healthbank.io/p/robbie-clark)

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