5 best foods for your love life on Valentine's Day
Are you thinking of making a delicious meal for that special someone for Valentine's Day today? Maybe you're looking to try something new? Why not add in some foods that are scientifically proven to be fabulous for your love life?
Yup, that’s right. Certain foods can help to boost your energy, libido, and mood to add a little extra magic to your celebrations.
5 dietitian-approved foods that are great for your love life
To help you prepare your perfect love meal, Yahoo Lifestyle asked Qr8 Nutrition’s Clinical Lead, Chloe McLeod to share her top five foods for your love life, including a particularly intriguing fact about mushrooms.
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1. Blueberries
“These little bundles of flavour are rich in anthocyanins, which are nutrients that help optimise your mood, as well as make your skin glow,” says Chloe.
“A recent systematic review of randomised controlled trials (ie, pulling together the findings of high-quality research in the area) found regular consumption of blueberries may improve both mood and cognitive performance. On top of this, blueberries are rich in other polyphenols as well as vitamin C, with research supporting the role these nutrients play in a glowing complexion."
2. Dark Chocolate
“Rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate has anti-inflammatory properties which may have a positive impact on cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and neural functions. The darker the better, as the more cocoa in the chocolate, the more potent the antioxidant content.”
3. Oats
“Whilst the humble oat may not feel very ‘love day’, stay with me. Oats provide a great source of low GI carbohydrates, making them the perfect source of long-lasting energy. They are also a great source of fibre, which helps to fuel those healthy gut bugs, to keep your gut (and your body) healthy.
“What does this have in relation to your love life? Long-lasting energy and a healthy gut will both help you feel better, so you can live your life to the fullest. And we all know a full life is full of love.”
4. Mushrooms
“Did you know that placing mushrooms in the sun causes the production of vitamin D (a little like when humans go in the sun)? Adequate Vitamin D has been linked with improved mood, reduced risk of chronic health conditions as well as improved immune function – all things which will help you live a healthier, more loved up life," Chloe says.
"Simply take your mushrooms, place them on a tray in the sun and leave for an hour (though this may vary pending time of year and location). This can generate approximately 10ug of vitamin D – given daily needs are between 5-15ug per day, this is a simple way to ensure you are consuming enough!”
5. Oysters
“Whilst it may be a little bit of an old wives tale that oysters are an aphrodisiac, there is some substance to the science around their zinc content, and the impact this has on testosterone levels and sperm quality.
“Oysters are also a good source of protein and are generally easily digested so tick the boxes from a nutrition perspective. Plus, they can leave you feeling like you’re being that little bit fancy as well – perfect for Love-day!”
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