Health

Must-Have Foods and Moves for a Better Sex Life

Published

11 years ago

February 16, 2015

By Dr. Ro
NNPA Columnist

Valentine’s Day has passed but if you want to keep the romantic fires burning, don’t fret. In the words of Kerry Washington who plays Olivia Pope in ABC’s Scandal, “its handled!” As your nutrition coach, I’m here-to the rescue you with tips that will pay off big – for you and your sweetie. So here’s my advice if you really want to put the sexy back in your love life. Whether it’s for Black Love Day, or everyday, it is going to take food and a few good moves to do it. So here are a few of my favorite picks for aphrodisiac foods and moves that are supported by science. Let’s get started with the food first.

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, which is good for the heart because the Vitamin C increases circulation, making the arteries more supple, and in the boudoir, that circulation is key. The heart’s job is to pump blood to all body parts, including female and male genitalia… all the right places to help you get that lovin’ feeling! For an extra lovin’ punch, dip your berries in dark chocolate, also rich in antioxidants called methylxanthines, known to increase libido. Can you say “two-fer?”

Oysters. Okay, you may have heard that these mollusks are a potent aphrodisiac and are winners when it comes to increasing libido, and here’s why. Oysters have a high zinc content, a mineral essential to the production of testosterone, the male sex hormone, and the maintenance of healthy sperm. If the idea of throwing back a few of these sexy jewels doesn’t cut the mustard for you, try adding pine nuts to your salads, chicken, fish, or vegetable side dishes. Pine nuts also qualify as they too, contain large amounts of zinc relative to other nuts.

Hot peppers. A group of alleged aphrodisiacs – cayenne and other chili peppers – sometimes sold in the form of an extract, but its effect on the body may be more discomfort inducing than arousing. The fiery fruits contain varying levels of a chemical irritant called capsaicin, which, when ingested, causes an increase in heart rate and breathing, sweating, and blood flow – similar to the body’s response to sexual arousal.

Chocolate. Probably the most famous – and most studied – of all aphrodisiac foods, chocolate contains feel-good brain chemicals, serotonin, and anandamide, as well as phenylethylamine (PEA), which increases endorphins, all of which contribute to feelings of happiness and euphoria during sex. Eureka! To get the greatest concentration of chocolate’s antioxidant and brain chemical power, I recommend dark chocolate with 65-80 percent cacao, which has more nutrients than its sugary counter parts.

Almonds. These nuts are rich in zinc, selenium, (minerals), and vitamin E, all of which are important to sexual health and reproduction. Selenium helps with infertility, vitamin E plays a vital role in heart health, and the mineral zinc helps to produce men’s sex hormones and boosts libido. Almonds are chock-full of good heart-healthy omega-3 fats as well. Add them to salads, eat handfuls for snacks and make sure you opt for raw almonds as salted varieties cause bloating…a factor you Don’t want as you prepare for a sexy night!

Yoga Move to Put the Moves On!

I personally adore most yoga moves because the very practice of yoga gives you a more supple body that can be moved, bent, folded and eased into almost any direction. The fact that you can achieve yoga moves is bound to make you feel sexy! But studies show that circulation below-the-belt is directly linked to arousal and this move delivers. So here’s my fave:

The Wide-legged Straddle Pose. It’s good for low libido because it increases blood flow to the pelvic area, and where blood flows, your energy and vitality goes so—

Here goes:

Sit on the floor, legs spread arms length apart (as wide as you can spread them), point toes upward, touching the in-sole of your feet, with your head down, and face almost touching the floor. Hold the position for 30 seconds or as along as you can.

Wooo-Sah—-

Rovenia Brock, Ph.D., is a medical advisory board member and contributor the “Dr. Oz Show,” where she helped more than a half-million Americans lose more than 5 million pounds. She is the author of Dr. Ro’s Ten Secrets To Livin’ Healthy (Bantam). For more health, nutrition, and fitness tips, join Dr. Ro and her social media community at www.everythingro.com.

###

Reporter II

Posts by Reporter II

Related Topics:Dr. Ro exercise Nutrition Rovenia Brock sexual health

Up Next

OP-ED: For Better Health, Doctors and Patients Must Form a Team

Don't Miss

Johnson & Johnson Projects Aim to Spot Who’ll Get a Disease

Reporter II

Click to comment

Activism

Rep. Kamlager-Dove Introduces Bill to Protect Women in Custody After Reports Detailing Miscarriages and Neglect

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

Published

4 weeks ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) on May 7, reintroduced updated legislation aimed at strengthening protections and healthcare standards for pregnant and postpartum women held in federal custody, including in immigration detention facilities.

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

The legislation builds on a bipartisan version previously passed by the House during the 117th Congress. The updated bill includes new standards for healthcare access, mental health and substance use treatment, high-risk pregnancy care, family unity protections and increased federal oversight.

“Proper pregnancy care is a human right, regardless of your immigration or incarceration status,” Kamlager-Dove said in a statement. “It’s unacceptable that there are virtually no legal safeguards for pregnant women in federal custody.”

The bill would also limit the use of restraints and restrictive housing for pregnant women, improve data collection on maternal health in custody and require additional staff training and enforcement measures.

Supporters of the measure said the legislation is intended to address long-standing concerns about maternal healthcare and safety in detention settings, particularly for Black women and low-income women who are disproportionately impacted by incarceration and health disparities.

“Pregnant women in custody should never be subjected to dangerous and inhumane treatment that threatens their health, dignity, or the well-being of their babies,” said Patrice Willoughby, chief of policy and legislative affairs for the NAACP and a longtime public policy and government affairs strategist, in a statement.

A 2021 report estimated there are about 58,000 admissions of pregnant women into U.S. jails and prisons each year. Kamlager’s statement also cited a recent investigation by NBC News and Bloomberg Law that identified allegations of severe mistreatment or medical neglect involving at least 54 pregnant women or families in county jails between 2017 and 2024.

Federal policy under the Department of Homeland Security restricts the detention of pregnant, postpartum and nursing immigrants except in extreme cases. However, the agency reported that ICE deported 363 pregnant, postpartum or nursing women between January 2025 and February 2026, including 16 recorded miscarriages during that period.

The bill is cosponsored by several House Democrats and backed by organizations including the NAACP and the Vera Institute of Justice.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Bay Area

How Is AI Affecting California? The State Wants You to Share Your Story

The program marks the first time the state has opened the platform to all Californians. State officials said the effort is designed to give residents a direct role in discussions about how AI should be regulated and used as the technology rapidly expands across industries.

Published

4 weeks ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced May 7 that California is expanding its Engaged California digital democracy initiative statewide, inviting residents to help shape future state policies on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs and the economy.

“We’ve got to be clear-eyed about this moment: AI is moving fast, bringing enormous opportunity, but also real risks,” Newsom said in a statement. “Californians deserve a seat at the table as we shape what’s to come.”

The initiative will roll out in two phases. Beginning immediately, Californians can sign up online to share how AI is affecting their work and communities and provide ideas for possible government action. Later this summer, a smaller group reflecting the state’s workforce demographics will participate in live discussions focused on developing policy recommendations.

State officials said the goal is to identify areas of agreement among Californians and provide policymakers with public feedback as the state develops future AI regulations and workforce strategies.

Engaged California is modeled after digital democracy programs used in Taiwan and is intended to encourage structured public discussion rather than social media-style debate. Officials described the effort as a form of “deliberative democracy” aimed at helping residents engage directly in state decision-making.

“The more Californians are engaged in the democratic process, the better able we’ll be to confront the challenges we face together,” said Nick Maduros, California Secretary of Government Operations, in a statement.

The statewide launch builds on two earlier pilot programs. One pilot gathered public input following the Los Angeles firestorms to help guide recovery efforts, while another collected ideas from state employees about improving government operations.

California has positioned itself as a national leader in AI policy and development. Since 2023, the Newsom administration has introduced initiatives focused on responsible AI use in government, cybersecurity protections, workforce training and regulations targeting risks such as deepfakes and AI-generated robocalls.

The state has also partnered with companies in Silicon Valley — including NVIDIA, Google, Adobe, IBM and Microsoft — to expand AI education and workforce training programs across California schools and universities.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

California Launches Free Diaper Program for Newborns Statewide

The initiative, called Golden State Start, will provide 400 free diapers to every newborn delivered at participating California hospitals beginning this summer. The state is partnering with Baby2Baby, a California-based nonprofit that distributes essential items to children in need nationwide.

Published

4 weeks ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that California will launch a first-in-the-nation program providing free diapers to families with newborns, part of a broader effort to lower costs for parents and improve infant health outcomes.

The initiative, called Golden State Start, will provide 400 free diapers to every newborn delivered at participating California hospitals beginning this summer. The state is partnering with Baby2Baby, a California-based nonprofit that distributes essential items to children in need nationwide.

State officials said hospitals participating in the program will give families the diapers when they are discharged after birth, helping parents leave with an immediate supply of newborn essentials.

“Every baby born in California deserves a healthy start in life,” Newsom said in a statement. He said the program is part of California’s broader affordability efforts, which also include free school meals, universal preschool for four-year-olds and expanded after-school programs.

The announcement comes ahead of Mother’s Day and is tied to the administration’s broader CalRx initiative, which aims to reduce costs for essential products and medications. State officials said California is also exploring ways to lower diaper prices by challenging high costs from major brands.

The first year of the program will prioritize hospitals serving large numbers of Medi-Cal patients, with plans to expand to additional hospitals and birthing centers over time. Officials said the effort is intended to reduce financial pressure on low-income families and improve infant and maternal health by ensuring parents have access to clean diapers.

“California families deserve to feel supported during one of life’s more exciting, yet vulnerable transitions,” First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said in a statement. She said the program would allow parents to focus on caring for their newborns instead of worrying about basic supplies.

According to Baby2Baby, one in two families in the United States struggles to afford diapers. The organization has distributed more than half a billion items to children over the past 15 years through partnerships with shelters, hospitals, foster care programs and schools.

State officials said Baby2Baby will oversee diaper purchasing, warehousing and distribution through its existing hospital and community partnerships across California.