When I was in my first serious relationship, my boyfriend and I would argue a lot about my low libido. Sex had become a chore and I started to think that maybe I was asexual.
Four years later my sex drive went straight through the roof and all of a sudden all I could think about was sex.
How could this be? How does a person go from having no sex drive to thinking about it all day?
The answer, surprisingly, lay in the food I ate.
Since I was a student during my first relationship, my diet consisted of lollies and two minute noodles but during my second relationship, my food choices had drastically changed and I was eating healthier foods.
So, how big a part does food play when it comes down to getting you in the mood for sex?
Recent research has found that some vitamins and components in foods can enhance function and sexual experience. Eating certain foods also helps when it comes to sex.
Almonds have long been purported to increase passion, act as a sexual stimulant and aid with fertility. Almonds are nutrient-dense and rich in several trace minerals that are important for sexual health and reproduction such as zinc, selenium and vitamin E. Zinc helps enhance libido and sexual desire.
Avocados are not only good for your heart and arteries, but they also act as an aphrodisiac.
Strawberries are an excellent source of folic acid, a B vitamin that helps ward off birth defects in women and may be tied to high sperm counts in men. The colour is also attractive because men find women sexier if they are wearing red as opposed to colours like blue and green, therefore making it a nice addition during foreplay.
Oysters are a well known aphrodisiac because they are one of the best sources of libido-boosting zinc.
Citrus fruits contain antioxidants, vitamin C and folic acid, which are essential for a man's reproductive health and rocket is a fantastic arousal aid because it helps block some of the environmental contaminants that negatively impact our libido.
Alcohol, too, can be good for you during sex, but not too much of course (as some guys may be able to attest, too much alcohol can leave you impotent). A drink or two can help relax and lower your inhibitions. In moderation, alcohol can also help raise your HDL cholesterol (which is good) while reducing your chance of getting blood clots. A non-alcoholic substitute would be pomegranate or grape juice. Turkish researchers found that these antioxidant-packed juices can improve sperm quality and aid fertility.
The amount of food you eat can also affect the way you see yourself according to a research conducted by the Duke University Diet and Fitness Centre. If you are overweight, research shows that by losing just 10 per cent of your body weight, it can improve not only the way you see yourself but also your sex life.
Overweight women tend to complain about their image while in the bedroom, therefore destroying the sexual mood for them and their partners.
Next time you don't feel turned on by your partner, it might be a good idea to look at what you are eating.