Despite science’s best efforts, many women still seem to have a hard time getting sexually stimulated.

“I have a headache.”

“I’m tired.”

“There’s too much on my mind.”

“Not now.”

Sound familiar? These are just a few of the many excuses women give to avoid having sex. And while opting out can become common for many people, it is important to note that engaging in regular sexual activity can be just as important to one’s overall health as getting enough exercise and proper nutrition.

Why is libido so important and why should you be concerned about getting that va-va-voom back into the bedroom?

Libido refers to the appetite for sexual activity, either with a partner or alone. A woman’s libido encompasses her fantasies, desires, interest in engaging in sexual behaviors and thoughts.

There really is no such thing as a “normal” sex drive, since it is common to experience a temporary decline from time to time. These fluctuations in sexual appetite are natural and often result from hormonal fluctuations, such as perimenopause, pregnancy and menstruation. But if you notice a major or continuous drop, you may have hypoactive sexual desire disorder. This is a condition in which a persistent or recurrent lack of sexual thoughts, fantasies and/or interest leads to significant distress.

Pharmaceutical companies are attempting to create a drug to treat low sexual desire in women, but do women lacking libido truly need to be treated with drugs? Some experts are worried that the issue has been over-medicalized, and that other factors could be at play.

Nutrition, lifestyle and stress levels all play a role when it comes to a dampened sexual desire. With the overwhelming and exhausting demands of family, friends, work and responsibilities, it’s only natural to feel like there’s little enthusiasm and energy left for enjoying an active sex life. Relationship problems, difficulties with communication and negative past sexual experiences can also impact a woman’s enjoyment and desire.

A study published in the November issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology found that 40 percent of women have sexual problems, while only 12 percent are distressed about them.

Despite the fact that many women may not be severely distressed about their less-than-par sex lives, most would probably love to improve their situation. So, instead of worrying about nasty side effects from taking pharmaceuticals, try these natural ways to revive your sex drive, increase blood flow to the genitals, and boost the feel good chemicals in your body. You just may find putting the spark back in your love life is easier than you thought.

Licorice
No, licorice is no longer just an olfactory-evoked nostalgia. A study conducted by Alan R. Hirsch, neurological director of the Small and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, revealed that women who were exposed to the scent of licorice reported a 13 percent increase in sexual desire. The exact reason why this occurs has yet to be explained (it could be a chemical reaction in the brain), but the scent of the naturally stimulating botanical was more highly desired than the scent of men’s cologne.

Exercise
Any kind of aerobic workout (biking, swimming, running, yoga) can improve blood flow to sex organs. It can also boost your mood and allows you to relax by releasing “feel good” endorphins into your system. Working out also increases testosterone levels, that can also leave you feeling sexier and more desirable. But bear in mind that overdoing it can lower testosterone levels.

Challenge Yourself
Recent research has shown that when you partake in new and exciting challenges either solo or with your partner, you can boost the brain chemical dopamine, which assists in fueling sex drive. You don’t even have to get kinky in the bedroom. Whether you enter a race together, go on a hike or do anything exciting, you’ll be one step closer to improving your sex life.

Natural Pheromones
Mood enhancing fragrances, such as natural sweat or androstenol, are said to be highly attractive to women. Pheromones, which are scented sex hormones, attract women, especially while ovulating.

Wine
A couple of glasses of wine can reduce stress and anxiety, getting you in the mood for sex. But drink in moderation, as too much alcohol can cause a decrease in sex drive.

Aphrodisiacs
Since there is no such thing as a love potion to cure all your troubles, try aphrodisiacs. These are foods that typically look sexually suggestive, such as oysters and asparagus. Oysters not only contain antioxidants, they also have elements necessary for sexual functioning and fertility.

Stop Smoking
Cigarettes are known to have a terrible affect on blood flow to sexual organs and also causes blood vessels to narrow. Plus, who likes kissing an ashtray?

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
Not only does eating five to nine servings of fruit and veggies lead to a healthier body, but the antioxidants and vitamins can help provide proper blood flow to your sex organs.

Honey
Honey has B vitamins and boron. The former boosts testosterone production, while the latter helps your body use estrogen for arousal.

Oh, and women have also mentioned that simply looking at Ryan Gosling seems to help super-charge their erotic desires, too.

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So you’ve decided to strike a blow for good health by ditching fizzy soda drinks and giving your kids 100 percent fruit juice.
Good for you! But don’t pat yourself on the back just yet. Fruit juice may not be as healthy as you think.

Pediatrician Amy Beck, who recently published an article in the research journal Academic Pediatrics, sees decreased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among kids as “a promising public health trend

Juice has a lot going for it.But to many parents’ surprise, a reduction in sugar intake is not among them.An eight-ounce glass of apple juice contains 27 grams of sugar – the same as eight ounces of Coca-Cola.

This is one of the reasons Beck suggests that parents limit consumption of fruit juice and replace soda with water or milk.

How much fruit juice is OK? The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association offer these guidelines, based on the age of the child:
Birth to six months: no fruit juice (except for relief of constipation)
Six months to six years: 4 to 6 ounces per day
Seven years and older: 8 to 12 ounces per day – no more

Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky says that while too much sugary fruit juice could make your kids pudgy, that’s not the worst of it.

The high sugar content of unsweetened pure fruit juice is sufficient to damage teeth.

She says if your child is drinking excessive fruit juice (especially acidic juices like lime, cranberry, or orange), the acid can wear down the enamel that protects and strengthens teeth.

This can lead to cavities, sensitive teeth, and eventual tooth loss.

Keep your kids’ teeth healthy by diluting fruit juice with water, letting them drink it through a straw, and making sure they brush their teeth afterwards. If you’re giving your toddler juice, serve it in a cup, not a bottle.

Zeratsky says parents should ditch sweetened juice or fruit-juice cocktails. Discourage kids from sipping fruit juice throughout the day. Give them a glass to accompany a snack or meal instead.

Kids can still enjoy fruit juice without piling on the pounds or spoiling their toothy grins. Let them make their own milkshakes and smoothies.

Blend milk or yogurt with soft fruit (mango, berries, bananas, and so on). Make a “cocktail” with diluted fruit juice, water, and crushed ice.

(If you want to spoil your kids, use calorie-free sparkling water or seltzer to make the drinks a little fancier.) Kids can even freeze pieces of crushed fruit in ice-cube trays and add them to milk for a fun, nutritious drink.

Finally, make sure your child eats plenty of whole fresh fruit – there’s no substitute. Even the best unsweetened fruit juice lacks the fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins found in whole fruit.

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Most of these food are obvious because they contain ingredients that are known to cause weight gain. There are some foods that are not as obvious and can be just as bad for you. These foods are a problem because most people do not know to avoid them and therefore consume them more often then they should. Here are 5 foods that you should never eat again.

White Bread

White bread is a staple in most pantries, but the truth is, it doesn’t have any nutritional value.

White bread contains a lot of sugar and doesn’t have the ability to keep you satisfied.

Even breads that claim to be wheat could contain more sugar than grain and should be avoided.

Substitute your white bread for whole grain or whole wheat bread when possible. You can also substitute bread on your sandwiches with lettuce leaves or whole grain tortillas.

Fried Foods

Most people know that fried foods are not healthy and should be avoided as much as possible.


The problem with fried foods is that many people only associate them with fast food restaurants and do not realize they also consume them at home.

Avoid frying any meal, consider baking or broiling instead. Fried foods are not nutritious and can cause your blood pressure and cholesterol levels to rise. They can also cause you to pack on the pounds.

Cream-based Salad Dressings

Many people turn to salads when they are dieting and trying to eat healthy. Salads can be very nutritious and are often low in calories. Salads can become unhealthy when they are covered in cream-based dressings.

These types of dressings contain a lot of fat and calories. In fact, there can be more calories in your salad dressing than in the rest of your entire salad.

Try oil-based salad dressings instead. Not only do they taste lighter, they have less calories and are better for you.

White Rice

Rice is a common ingredient to many recipes and is a popular side dish to many meals. Most people assume that rice is healthy, but the truth is, white rice can cause your body to store fat when it doesn’t need to. It also has no nutritional value.

Brown rice is the best option when it comes to rice because it is full of fiber, vitamins and nutrients. It will also keep you satisfied longer so you are less likely to overeat.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

There is much debate about whether high fructose corn syrup is good or bad. It can quickly cause you to gain weight and even make you have cravings for more sugar and sugary foods. Overeating sugary foods and foods that are high in fructose corn syrup can even lead to diabetes and other health problems.

Avoid any processed sugars and opt for healthier dessert options such as fresh fruits and berries.
Avoiding these foods can help you lose weight and get on the right track to eating healthy. Don’t let these foods sneak onto your menu or into your recipes and make smart substitutions for them as often as possible. Your health and your weight will thank you.

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You hair exhibits what you eat! That’s right. Everything that you put into your body also affects the health and well being of your hair follicles. We all want to have healthy and shining hair. If you think your hair is a bit too dull or frizzy, then it’s time you start taking extra care of them. Our hair requires as much pampering and care as our skin. According to experts, exercise and a proper diet are the two key components that can give you the perfect ma

Whole-grain Foods

Whole grain foods include breads, flour, rice and cereals. A diet rich in whole grains provides you with high quantity of fiber, zinc, vitamin B1, B2 and B6. Including them in your diet will provide nourishment to the scalp and hair follicles. If you want naturally beautiful and healthy hair, then whole grain food is you answer. These are not only beneficial for hair, but also improve digestion process in the body. A good digestion automatically means healthy body, skin and hair.

ne. Here’s 7 foods you can eat for having a healthy looking hair:

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