The reasons for sexual performance problems afflicting 70 million men and women may not be in their heads, but on their dinner tables.

Health psychologists Dr. Robert Fried and Dr. Lynn Edlen-Nezin say in new book, Great Food, Great Sex, that their recipes to help enhance your sexual performance revolve around three food groups:

•  Nitrogen-rich vegetables and legumes, or beans, loaded with nitric oxide, which research calls the "proven miracle molecule" for optimal sexual function;

•  Proteins high in the amino acid L-arginine, another source of nitric oxide;

•  Brightly colored super-antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables that combat the destructive effects of "free radicals" on your body's cells.

Great Food, Great Sex is filled with recipes from the federal government's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute that combines all three of the groups.

Here's one:

Black Bean and Onion Soup

1 c. black beans, rinse and drain
1 c. onion, chopped
2 tbsp celery, chopped
3 tbsp green onion, chopped
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tsp gingerroot, shredded
1 tsp ground black pepper
6 oz. spinach leaves, stemmed and washed
4 tbsp non/lowfat sour cream
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
6 c. water

In a 4-quart pot, combine the beans, onion, celery, green onions, garlic, ginger, and pepper to taste.

Add 6 c. water and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes.
 
Place the spinach leaves in a saute pan at medium-high heat. Stir for 2-4 minutes. Chop the cooked spinach, set aside.

Stir the spinach into the soup and mix well.

Spoon sour cream into the center of each servings, and sprinkle with cilantro.

Makes 6 servings

Nutritional Information:
Serving size, 1 cup: calories, 130; fat, .5g; protein, 7 g; fiber, 5g; sodium, 40 mg.

Source: Great Food, Great Sex

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