The Best Beverages To Help Last Longer During Sex

For sexually active couples, the question is often raised about how long is too long and how long is just right. A 2008 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine revealed that for most couples, that two minutes or less was considered unsatisfactory, and anywhere from seven to 13 minutes is desirable. Anything over 13 minutes, according to the survey respondents, is considered to be too long. 

There are a number of tricks that couples can try to hold out longer in bed. These include edging, which is temporarily stopping sexual activity when feeling the urge to have an orgasm and then resuming when the urge subsides. Men can also try gently squeezing the tip of the penis when they feel the desire to ejaculate. However, these methods may not be necessary if you grab one of these beverages before you and your partner hit the sheets. While there is no one miracle tonic for lasting longer during sex, adding one of these drinks to your pre-sex routine certainly can't hurt. 

Sex is a physical, calorie-burning activity, and, just like any workout, it requires proper hydration. If you're not hydrated, it can lead to an imbalance of fluid in your body's cells. This can make you feel sluggish, which is bad news for performance in bed. Not drinking enough water can also reduce the flow of blood to the penis, which can make erectile function difficult. Even a cup of water before sex can give you a fluid boost and keep you lasting longer.

Not drinking enough water can also have an effect on testosterone production, which can negatively impact feelings of desire and satisfaction. It can also cause mental issues, including anxiety and depression. These mental strains can also negatively impact sexual function, making it hard to perform or even maintain an erection. Drinking even a half an ounce of water per pound of body weight can be enough to keep your fluids replenished and your sex life humming.

The antioxidants in pomegranate juice are an important tool in increasing blood flow and boosting both libido and sexual performance. According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Microbial Science, in mice, pomegranate juice proved to be as powerful as sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Additionally, a 2007 study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research showed that, of the 42 men profiled in the study, 25 experienced improved erectile function. 

Pomegranate juice also has been shown to have the ability to raise testosterone levels in both men and women, according to a 2012 study published by the Society of Endocrinology. Low testosterone can affect sex drive in men, but a 2001 study published in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism showed that women who received both estrogen and testosterone therapy experienced a greater improvement in sexual desire, fantasies, arousal, and increased frequency of both intercourse and orgasms. 

The high nitrate content in beet juice can help maintain and also prolong erections. Nitrates are converted to nitric oxide in the body, which can be effective against erectile dysfunction. Nitric oxide can open the blood vessels and also increase pressure in the corpus cavernosum. This is the erectile tissue that becomes engorged during sexual arousal and helps to trigger erections. The corpus cavernosum is filled with blood vessels that can be stimulated by nitric oxide, leading to stronger and longer-lasting erections.

A 2020 study published in the Journal of Nutritional Medicine and Diet Care showed that some of the ingredients in beetroot, including betaine and boron, can enhance energy levels and sexual stamina. Boron is also good for the production of both estrogen and testosterone, two hormones that can be extremely beneficial in keeping one's libido regular. Not a fan of beet juice? Beetroot could also be consumed raw, boiled, or baked in order to enjoy its benefits.

Bananas are a nutrient-dense food, and they also have the ability to benefit both men and women in the bedroom. The potassium and vitamin B present in bananas can be a major libido booster, enhancing sexual arousal and keeping the desire levels high. Additionally, bananas are a great source of natural sugars, which can offer a healthy boost in energy levels and increase endurance. Bananas also contain tryptophan and serotonin, which can regulate mood and well-being and decrease stress. Less stress means better, more satisfying sex.

In addition to these benefits, bananas are a great source of magnesium, which can help to increase levels of testosterone. Low testosterone levels have been linked to a diminished sex drive and, in men, increased erectile dysfunction. In men, bananas may also help sperm count, motility, and overall quality, thanks to the fruit's high nutrient content, which includes vitamin C, B6, folate, and choline.

Have you heard of maca root tea? As it turns out, this plant-based supplement may be important in helping to improve libido in both men and women. According to a 2015 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, women who had been diagnosed with sexual dysfunction experienced an improvement after taking 3,000 milligrams of maca per day over 12 weeks. In men, a 2019 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine showed that a combination of maca and chive seed may help to improve erectile dysfunction.

Maca has also been reported to have benefits in combating fatigue and low energy levels. A 2022 study published in Functional Foods in Health and Disease showed that young adult women who took maca extract over a four-week period showed lower levels of fatigue than those in the placebo group. Exhaustion is a known libido killer, and can negatively impact the sex drive of both men and women.

The flavonoids present in dark chocolate help to increase blood flow throughout the body. This improvement in flow means that blood can reach the genitals more easily, making it easier for both men and women to experience sexual arousal. In addition, dark chocolate contains a compound known as phenylethylamine. This compound is a mood- and libido-booster, making it easier to feel sexual arousal. It also produces endorphins and raises your levels of serotonin, which can keep your excitement level up during sex.

Dark chocolate is also a source of an amino acid known as L-arginine. This amino acid helps produce nitric oxide, which also gets the blood flowing. It also could be a natural aphrodisiac, thanks to the presence of a compound known as theobromine. Also found in other foods like kola nuts, theobromine helps to stimulate the nervous system, making couples feel excited and vibrant.

Green tea may have the ability to help you achieve and maintain an erection. Its high concentration of antioxidants is good for cardiovascular health and improved blood flow. This antioxidant-induced circulation may help blood flow to the genitals, increasing your chance of being able to perform between the sheets. Additionally, green tea is rich in a catechin known as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. According to a 2022 study in the International Journal of Molecular Science, diabetic rats who were treated with EGCG showed improved sexual performance.

The catechins in green tea may have other helpful, libido-boosting properties that can help your sex life. For starters, the compounds fight off the free radicals in the body that can cause inflammation, which also makes blood flow easier. Green tea's catechins also are helpful in the release of nitric oxide, which can allow blood to reach the genitals during arousal and sexual activity.

Watermelon is a great source of citrulline, an amino acid that may be converted to arginine in the body. Arginine, when further converted to nitric oxide, can open the blood vessels, making erections easier to achieve. Distilling watermelon into juice can increase the citrulline concentration, making it possible to achieve harder and longer-lasting erections. In addition, citrulline can possibly spark sexual desire, with men adding citrulline to their diet having more sex per month than before (per WebMD).

Watermelon also contains lycopene, an antioxidant that can help restore the balance of antioxidants and free radicals in the body. Improving this balance may play a role in increased fertility and better prostate health. Additionally, the high lycopene content in watermelon can help raise levels of testosterone, increasing sexual vigor and stamina. Overall, the various healthy elements in watermelon juice, from vitamins to amino acids and antioxidants, all can help lead to longer-lasting and more pleasurable sexual experiences.  

Ginger has long been considered a natural aphrodisiac, making both men and women feel amorous. Its ability to improve circulation and raise energy levels can be particularly helpful for couples looking to rev things up in bed. It also has calming benefits, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety, both known mood killers during sex.

According to a 2023 study published in Sexes, people who made ginger a more regular part of their diet had higher sexual desire, more frequent sexual behaviors, and greater arousal during sex. Additionally, a 2022 study published in Sexologies showed that women who took ginger saw significant improvements in their sexual function and overall quality of life. The findings of the study suggest that ginger may play a role in the overall sexual function of reproductive-age women. However, the study did note that more research is needed before a definitive conclusion can be made.