MORE than a THIRD of us are interested in switching to a plant-based diet and more than two million have signed up to Veganuary – spending this month on a vegan diet.

While many believe ditching meat, eggs and dairy sounds miserable and unhealthy, one 34-year-old Sun writer tells how the diet helped more than just animals and the environment . . .

How going vegan can enhance your sex life and lead to longer orgasmsShutterstock

AFTER chowing down on a dozen oysters with a hot, spicy dressing, I was hoping to get saucy with my boyfriend in bed.

After all, the humble shellfish has long been hailed as a natural aphrodisiac. But as minutes rolled into hours, I felt nothing and the evening ended up a bit of a damp squib.

The Sun’s Georgette Culley shares how opting for a vegan diet helped more than just animals and the environmentOlivia West

If truth be told, I’d felt more turned on after watching an episode of Antiques Roadshow. That was the last time I ate shellfish — or anything else fishy, dairy or meat-based — and I’ve not looked back since.

For the past six months I’ve been vegan, and the plant-based diet has improved more than just my waistline. My energy levels, and libido, have soared, and with it, my desire for sex.

I went from begrudgingly doing it a few times a month in the boring, spooning position after a heavy, meaty dinner to doing it most days.

Not only do our sessions now last longer, but so do my orgasms. My partner, who used to eat red meat most days, has also reported a boost between the sheets and has become a better lover too.

We’ve also shifted a few pounds, which means we have more energy for more rigorous sessions in the sack. Put simply, I believe vegans make better, more considerate lovers.

And that’s not just my opinion, it’s backed by science. Many vegan foods boost blood circulation, which increases our chances of orgasm, as there’s more blood flow down below.

Most read in Fabulous

HAIR HORROR

Woman breaks down in tears after paying £150 for her first haircut

LOST & FOUND

I lost my child in public – the Looking Loudly technique helped me find him

ANGRY BIRDS

I tried brow lamination… it was a big mistake and looks so bad

Rigid rules

I’m a Routine Mum, people say I’m too regimented but my baby is asleep by 6pm

SPOILSPORT

I detest my friend’s five-year-old, he’s a brat & I’m banning him from my house

CANCER SHOCK

My son had a sore tummy – nothing could have prepared us for the next 6 months

Leafy greens, figs, pumpkin seeds, cayenne pepper, dark chocolate and almonds are all packed with vitamin B and zinc, which raise testosterone levels and sexual desire, increasing our appetite for sex.

Meat, eggs and dairy are high in cholesterol and saturated animal fat, which can clog our arteries and slow the flow of blood to our nether regions — leading to male impotence.

If fellas want lift-off they should combine exercise with a diet rich in flavonoids, found in fruits such as strawberries, blueberries and apples.

This could reduce their risk of developing erectile dysfunction by more than 20 per cent, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

What’s more, research shows ditching meat and dairy can boost our level of serotonin, the happy hormone that puts us in the mood for love.

And while it’s no secret that scent and sexual arousal go hand-in-hand, another study showed that those who follow a plant-based diet smelled better than those who ate meat and dairy, increasing their sex appeal.

LENGTHENED ORGASMS

Today, more than a third of people in the UK are interested in becoming vegan, and the desire to go green is reflected on the high street.

No longer do vegans have to go to hippy shops to get grub, we can go to any supermarket and find a big range catering just for us. Even KFC now has a vegan burger.

The market is getting bigger and better, making it easier for those who want to go plant-based.

Because of this, Veganuary 2022 is expected to have more participants turning vegan than in any previous year, and I can guarantee they will improve more than just their health.

After all, better sex doesn’t start in the bedroom, it starts in the kitchen . . .  on your plate.

Not only do our sessions now last longer, but so do my orgasms, says Georgette Culley

Green nibbles to get you in the mood

TOFU: During menopause many women experience a decline in their sex drive. Soybeans are one of the richest foods in phytoestrogens, which mimic our own oestrogens, which can boost lower levels of oestrogen and our libido.

AVOCADO: Packed with vitamin B6, this fruit can decrease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (such as bloating, fatigue and irritability) – making it easier for women to get in the mood.

QUINOA: The whole grain can help regulate hormone levels and boost libido. It’s high in protein which is needed for testosterone production.

FENUGREEK: Introducing the herb into your diet could boost your sex drive by a quarter. Try adding it to a homemade curry with lots of veggies to reap the rewards.

BASIL: The humble herb boosts female fertility and stimulates sex drive. Best used fresh but dried is fine too.

ASPARAGUS: The high amount of vitamin E in asparagus can increase blood and oxygen flow to the genitals and the phallic shape can get you in the mood.

SAFFRON: This spice can be used to boost sexual function in both males and females and can combot Erectile Dysdunction (ED). While it may be pricer than other spices it’s cheaper than buying viagra.

GINGER: This super sex food will help aid blood flow to your nether regions – boosting your chances of orgasm. Goes well with both sweet and savoury food

ALMONDS: These nuts are packed with protein and have an abundance of Vitamin E. Research shows that Vitamin E-rich foods encourage the production of sex hormones.

DARK CHOCOLATE: Dark choccie releases happy hormones serotonin and endorphins – putting you in the mood for love.

BANANAS: This fruit is a great source of magnesium and potassium. Magnesium increases sexual stamina and potassium helps improve testosterone hormone in men.

FIGS: Dried or fresh, the fruit is considered the pièce de résistanceis of seduction because it resembles a female’s sexual organs which, according to scientists, turns us on.

POMEGRANATE: A daily drink of pomegranate juice Increases sexual desire can improve your mood, blood circulation and raise your testosterone levels.

WATERMELON: This fruit can give us a lift between the sheets thanks to its vitamins. It’s rich in amino acid citrulline which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra used to treat ED.

My view as a life-long carnivore

By Simon Boyle

I’M all for a bit of a healthy start this New Year, but let’s not get silly about it.

Go for a jog if you must, cut out the lunchtime pints, but spare me the lectures – and definitely don’t tell me you’re going to feel ten times randier for it.

I’m all for a bit of a healthy start this New Year, but let’s not get silly about it, says life-long carnivore Simon BoylePhotodisc – Getty

Because we all know there’s nothing that fires up the pelvic engines like a solid steak and chips washed down by a decent bottle of red – a tried and tested formula that has served red-blooded males well for generations.

While a vegan meal would leave me wilting like the lettuce leaves on my plate, a hearty red meat feast is all the energy I need to start contemplating “afters”.

What better than slouching into bed together for a bit of marathon romp after a decent portion of sirloin – better yet if it was an indulgent meal for two – and don’t worry about the calories, here’s the perfect chance to burn them straight off.

So save your sleep-inducing salads, and ditch the passion-killing kale this January – fill up on meat and enjoy something truly satisfying.