Food of love

If you’re not getting enough zinc then you can put your ambitions of being a great lover on ice

WHAT IS IT?

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for optimal health.

WHY YOU NEED IT

It’s involved in DNA metabolism, gene expression, brain health, hormone production, and central nervous system function.

BEEF

Red meats such as beef are among the foods highest in zinc – 100g of beef contains 6.3mg of the element, which is 66% of your recommended daily intake (RDI). Because zinc is involved in up to 300 different enzymes, you need to hit your RDI of 9.5mg as often as possible.

BRAZIL NUTS

Brazil nuts not only help you towards your zinc RDI (with just over 4mg per 100g), they also contain a balanced ratio of saturated and unsaturated fats, which are also essential for the efficient hormone production and optimal brain health. Snack on a small handful.

OYSTERS

The shellfish has been hailed as an aphrodisiac for millennia, and it’s actually the zinc in oysters that puts the lead in your pencil. Zinc is essential for normal production of testosterone, the male sex hormone that builds muscle, burns fat and influences sex drive.

SUNFLOWER SEEDS

They might not be your first choice of mid-afternoon snack but sunflower seeds are a great source of zinc, with a single 25g serving containing more than 15% of your RDI. They’re also high in magnesium, which works with zinc to boost testosterone.