The Relationship Between Food and Sexual Function, and Guide to Enhancing Sperm and Male Enhancement

To understand the relationship between food and sexual function, it is essential to know which foods can regulate libido and sexual response, allowing for targeted selection and consumption. Otherwise, without understanding the properties, components, functions, and contraindications of these foods, it is difficult to achieve the effects of replenishing essence and marrow, and strengthening the kidneys through proper consumption. For example, pork kidneys are not suitable for patients with kidney deficiency and cold.

Mastering the following dietary principles is extremely important for regulating sexual function:

Avoid rich and heavy foods. Among animal products, eat less meat and more poultry, as poultry contains less fat. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that fatty foods easily damage the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach are the source of essence and qi, the foundation of acquired constitution. Damage to the spleen and stomach leads to insufficient essence,

making it difficult to guarantee the physical strength for sexual activity. In addition, excessive consumption of fatty foods can generate damp heat, flowing to the lower abdomen, causing seminal emission, premature ejaculation, and impotence. From a modern medical perspective, the conversion of fat energy requires a large amount of enzymes, and some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe that enzymes are part of one's innate essence. Excessive depletion of this innate essence can lead to sexual dysfunction. However, this does not advocate vegetarianism. British medical experts surveyed 46 countries and regions and found that women in countries consuming high-fiber foods had significantly delayed menarche. This is because menarche is related to a decrease in estrogen levels. Estrogen is converted from cholesterol in the body. Long-term consumption of high-fiber foods can reduce estrogen secretion, leading to decreased libido and affecting fertility. This is also related to a deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins A and E. Therefore, Dr. William Bates, a reproductive endocrinologist and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, said:

"It seems that a woman's full figure does not affect fertility; however, even a slightly below-normal weight can have the opposite effect."

Furthermore, according to foreign medical research reports, androgens are also converted from cholesterol. Male hormones are a class of steroids, organic compounds containing both carbon bonds (C-C) and carbon rings. In the body, they are formed by the breaking of cholesterol side chains. Meat, fish, and poultry eggs contain relatively high levels of cholesterol, which can increase male hormone levels. Animal organs, in particular, contain sex hormones, which are beneficial for increasing semen volume and promoting sperm production. In recent years, many adult men have worried about high cholesterol leading to obesity and heart disease, so they have adopted a low-cholesterol diet, which is one of the causes of decreased male sexual function.

**A diet rich in spicy foods and low in pungent foods**. Spicy foods can invigorate the mind, regulate qi, and strengthen the stomach, having a stimulating effect. Pungent foods are drying and highly stimulating, easily damaging the spleen and stomach, not only depriving the "sperm tendons" of nourishment but also contradicting the effects of calming the mind, clearing heat, and soothing the heart. Therefore, spicy foods should be consumed sparingly.

**A diet mild and warming**. Saltiness can enhance flavor, but excessive saltiness can also deplete body fluids, which in turn weakens the spirit and hinders the support of Yang energy. After middle age, Yang energy gradually declines, and the fire of the Mingmen (Gate of Life) weakens. Therefore, one should seek warmth and avoid coolness, even in summer, avoiding excessive consumption of cooling foods such as water chestnuts, which "generously generate cold energy and damage Yang." Water bamboo shoots are another example, "generating cold energy and damaging Yang." Women suffering from coldness in the lower body should be especially careful; otherwise, it will only cause cold stagnation in the lower body, worsening the condition. While rabbit meat can beautify the skin, it is "cooling in nature; excessive consumption damages the original Yang and impairs sexual function," so it is best to eat it sparingly.

Avoid unbalanced diets: In reality, many cases of sexual dysfunction are caused by unbalanced diets. Unbalanced diets can lead to malnutrition, resulting in insufficient sperm and semen coagulation in men. Men with this condition often lack trace elements such as zinc, copper, and manganese, as well as vitamins A (carotene) and E. Therefore, it is advisable to consume more foods containing these nutrients. Japanese scholar Keinosuke Yuasa believes that soybeans and soy products such as frozen tofu, tofu, and bean curd sheets contain a large amount of arginine, which is essential for sperm production. According to relevant data, arginine can relieve fatigue and improve sexual function. Zinc is found in the liver, pancreas, meat, especially shellfish, milk, grains, beans, potatoes, vegetables, and brown sugar.

Analytical chemistry studies show that sperm contains up to 2% zinc. Zinc deficiency can lead to decreased sexual function and even infertility, which is related to a decrease in sperm count and an increase in the number of abnormal sperm. Carotene is found in vegetables such as liver, eggs, dairy products, fish, crab, shellfish, oysters, cabbage, spinach, leeks, celery, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, dried chili peppers, and tomatoes. Vitamin E is found in wheat germ, egg yolks, beans, nuts, vegetable oils, chicken, wheat germ, oatmeal, bread, margarine, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Vitamins A and E are beneficial for delaying aging and preventing sexual dysfunction. Fresh dates, oranges, grapefruits, various vegetables, and fruits are rich in vitamin C, and consuming 1 gram of vitamin C daily can also help disaggregate sperm.

Enzymes are special proteins that accelerate chemical reactions and have a significant impact on human health. A deficiency in enzymes can lead to decreased or absent libido, and even infertility. Enzymes are present in various foods, but they are easily destroyed during cooking at excessively high temperatures (above 50°C), so care should be taken.

Dr. Atsushi Oshikane of Nihon University found that shellfish such as abalone, octopus, clams, oysters, clams, whelks, and scallops contain amino acids and are effective aphrodisiacs. Those who consistently consume octopus or shellfish have higher libido than those who do not. It is also said that slippery aquatic products have aphrodisiac effects. These foods include eel, loach, slug, and pufferfish meat or aspic. These foods all contain zeaxanthin, which is effective in boosting energy.