

Soo…when's the last time you went out specifically with the intention of picking up an aphrodisiac or two? If it takes you more than a minute to come up with an answer, that means you don't do it nearly enough! Even if your sex life is on point and the mutual desire is still going strong, it's still a good idea to invest in things that will take you and your partner's arousal to higher levels. This includes copping jasmine and patchouli essential oils, white linen (why do you think hotels use white sheets? They are proven to boost our libidos), Vitamin E (it increases blood circulation, including to the genitalia), chocolate-flavored anything (its phenethylamine and tryptophan compounds trigger sexual arousal) — and certain foods.
Just by adding these to your diet on a consistent basis, your libido will strengthen, your orgasms will intensify, and your overall health and well-being will improve too. So, where's your grocery store list? Check it twice to see if you've got these eight foods written down:
8 Healthy Foods That Improve Your Sex Life
1.Celery
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It's kind of surprising that a food that's made up of 95 percent water could contain so many health benefits, but celery does. The Vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids in it make celery a food that's high in antioxidants. Celery also contains around 25 compounds that fight to reduce inflammation. And, thanks to the magnesium, iron, and sodium that's also in celery, it can help to neutralize the acids in the foods so that you can digest them better.
Sex-wise, celery is also a winner. There are plenty of studies to support that if a man eats it and sweats, it creates the kind of pheromones that attract women. Word on the street is that it's also the kind of food that will make bodily fluids taste better too!
2.Sweet Potatoes
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Thanks to all of the nutrients that are found in sweet potatoes, they are considered to be a superfood. They are high in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6 and C, copper, biotin, and potassium. They contain manganese, which is great because it's a nutrient that helps to produce collagen in the body. Sweet potatoes are also the kind of food that keeps your blood sugar and blood pressure where it needs to be.
For guys, the potassium in sweet potatoes helps their erections to last longer. For gals, the Vitamin A helps to create more cervical fluid. This means that if you're trying to get pregnant, sweet potatoes work like a charm.
3.Honey
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It's almost criminal how honey can taste so sweet and be one of the best things for you, but it's true. If you get a local raw brand, honey works as a natural remedy for allergy symptoms. The antioxidants in honey will work to prevent cellular damage and improve your memory (especially if you're going through post-menopause). Honey will also give you more energy, heal wounds, reduce dandruff, and is an awesome humectant that keeps your hair and skin full of moisture.
On the sex tip, honey has Vitamin B in it to support the production of testosterone and boron in it to naturally increase the amount of estrogen in women. Both are needed for an active sex life.
4.Almonds
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If you like to snack on almonds during your lunch break, you are definitely doing your body good. There's fiber, protein, Vitamin E, and magnesium all up in those nuts! Almonds also contain properties that will lower your cholesterol levels, nutrients to reduce hunger cravings and catechin, epicatechin, and flavonol antioxidants to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
Why are they a great aphrodisiac? For starters, the selenium and zinc in them are ideal for reproductive health. Also, their omega-3 fatty acids work to boost blood circulation so that both erections and orgasms will last longer!
5.Coconut Water
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Over the past few years, coconut water has become all the rage; especially when it comes to staying hydrated during the summer seasons or after a workout. But there are other reasons to consume it on a regular basis.
Coconut water is low in calories (around 40 per serving), has copper and magnesium in it, and also contains a compound called cytokinins. What's so good about that? It helps to prevent cancerous cells while slowing down the aging process too. Just make sure to consume coconut water in moderation. It's loaded with potassium, which can cause side effects like a breakdown in muscle tissue or even diabetes if you go overboard on it.
Something else that's cool about coconut water is it has the same amount of electrolytes in it that your blood does. This means that it's a proven way to give your metabolism a kick, providing you with the energy you need to engage in coitus after a long day at work.
6.Avocados
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Vitamins B5, B6, C, E and K are just some of the nutrients that are in avocados. They also have monounsaturated fatty acids in them that are great for your heart, fiber to keep you regular, antioxidants that are good for your eyes, and folate that aids in fighting depression symptoms.
As far as your libido is concerned, here's a fun fact. Back in the day, the Aztecs used to call the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl". What does that translate into? The testicle tree. A part of that comes from the way an avocado looks when it's cut in half (bet you'll never look at one the same), along with the potassium and folic acid in it that increases stamina and provides energy.
7.Cinnamon
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As far as spices go, it's a must that you put some freshly-ground cinnamon in your pantry. The polyphenols in it will fight off free radicals and its anti-inflammatory properties will help to repair damaged tissues in the body. Cinnamon also contains properties that fight off insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels. Cinnamon even inhibits a protein in the brain that could later lead to Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.
Cinnamon will definitely spice up your sex life too! Seasoning your food with it will increase your body temperature so that you feel all warm (and potentially horny) inside. Putting some edible-grade cinnamon oil essential oil in your mouth will make kisses (everywhere) sweeter and hotter! Plus, since it's proven to improve cognitive function, if you or your partner need help staying in the moment more, cinnamon has got your covered in that area too.
8.Truffles
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Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a truffle this week. This mushroom delicacy does everything from lower cholesterol levels and slow down the aging process to treat eye infections and boost your immune system. Truffles are able to do all of this, thanks in part to the magnesium, iron, and calcium that's in them.
Why does this particular food make the aphrodisiac list? It's actually thanks to how it smells. It's got a musky scent that replicates male pheromones and triggers sexual desire in women.
But hey, don't take our word for it. Give it a shot and report back. Whenever you come up for air from all of that sex you'll be having after you do, that is!
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It's kinda wild that, in 2025, my byline will have appeared on this platform for (what?!) seven years. And yeah, when I'm not waxing poetic on here about sex, relationships and then...more sex and relationships, I am working as a certified marriage life coach, helping to birth babies (as a doula) or penning for other places (oftentimes under pen names).
As some of you know, something that I've been "threatening" to do for a few years now is write another book. Welp, October 2024 was the month that I "gave birth" to my third one: 'Inside of Me 2.0: My Story. With a 20-Year Lens'. It's fitting considering I hit a milestone during the same year.
Beyond that, Pumas and lip gloss are still my faves along with sweatshirts and tees that have a pro-Black message on them. I've also started really getting into big ass unique handbags and I'm always gonna have a signature scent that ain't nobody's business but my own.
As far as where to find me, I continue to be MIA on the social media front and I honestly don't know if that will ever change. Still, if you need to hit me up about something *that has nothing to do with pitching on the site (I'm gonna start ignoring those emails because...boundaries)*, hit me up at missnosipho@gmail.com. I'll do what I can. ;)
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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We don’t get to choose the order we’re born into, but it’s wild how much it can shape who we become. Though birth order may seem like an inconsequential family fun fact, it can influence how we move, love, lead, and even how we see ourselves. Whether you're the dependable oldest, the often-overlooked middle child, the free-spirited baby in the family, or the only child who grew up as their own best friend, there's a chance a few of your core personality traits are tied to the role you played growing up.
Eldest Daughter Syndrome had its viral moment online last year, and for good reason. The term gave language to the silent pressures so many eldest daughters tend to carry as a result of their birth order. Beyond that very needed conversation, birth order as a whole can offer insight into not only our traits and tendencies, but also how we show up in life, love, and even our work.
Below, we’re breaking down the traits most commonly associated with each birth order. Keep reading to learn what your birth order might say about you.
If you are the oldest...
Let's be real, being the firstborn often comes with a lot of responsibility. And it's usually not by choice. From early on, they’re the ones who set the tone, carry the weight, and take on the title of "the responsible one." Because of that, they often grow into reliable, high-achieving adults. But the pressure of being "the blueprint" and the one to "lead by example" can also be a heavy burden to bear.
Oldest child traits may look like:
- Natural leaders that take charge even when they didn’t mean to (read: she's bossy, but keeping it cute)
- High standards (for yourself and everyone else)
- Motivated, goal-oriented, and always chasing that next accomplishment
- Reliable and conscientious
- Perfectionist tendencies that can lead to burnout
- Struggles with being controlling or micromanaging
- Often cautious, craving stability over spontaneity
- Finds it hard to rest or ask for help
If you are the middle child...
In the grand scheme of the birth order lineup, the middle child can be the quiet MVPs. As the child who falls in the order "in-between," they’re used to being the one who keeps the peace while also fighting to stand out. But being the “in-between” can also mean feeling overlooked or forgotten. In some families, especially ones with toxic dynamics, the middle child may even take on the role of the "black sheep," while their siblings are seen as the golden children. Still, despite (or maybe because of) that, middle children tend to thrive socially and can read a room like the back of their hand.
Middle child traits may include:
- Top-tier peacemakers who can smooth over almost any situation
- Adaptable and easygoing (even when they’re lowkey screaming inside)
- Often feel overlooked or like they have to do the most to be seen
- People-pleasers who put everyone else first
- Social butterflies and community-minded, with strong friendships outside the family
- Can be rebellious when they feel boxed in
- Thrive when they’re allowed to define success on their own terms
- The ultimate go-between, translating vibes between generations, personalities, and moods
If you are the youngest...
The baby of the family walks through life knowing how to charm, persuade, and perform. They often grow up with more freedom and fewer expectations, which fuels their adventurous and carefree side. But that same freedom can sometimes lead to entitlement, or a tendency to seek validation by being the "fun one."
Youngest child traits might include:
- Social butterflies who light up a room and don’t mind the spotlight
- Natural charmers, funny, flirtatious, and usually down for anything
- Can be a little self-centered or attention-seeking (but you still love them for it)
- Tend to keep things uncomplicated… unless they’re not getting their way
- Known to be manipulative when trying to get what they want
- Free-spirited and bold in their choices
- Often underestimated, but capable of big things when they focus
- Thrive in spaces that let them express, explore, and be a little extra
If you are the only child...
Only children can be the ultimate "one woman show" as they are often a mix of all the birth orders rolled into one. Without siblings, they learn to entertain themselves, advocate for their needs, and navigate adult conversations early. That independence can make them magnetic, mature, and deeply introspective, but it also comes with a deep craving for validation and control.
Only child traits can include:
- Mature and wise beyond their years, often viewed as old souls
- Conscientious and responsible, usually the go-to person in their circle
- Seek approval and validation more than they let on
- Natural leaders with big ideas and even bigger plans
- Can be sensitive and deeply affected by criticism
- Prefer structure, routines, and control (sometimes to a fault)
- Like things done their way (and don’t love compromising)
- Thrive in solitude but still want to feel seen and celebrated
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