Balls For Your Balls

As a women, I am naturally bias towards women’s heath and nutrition for ladies. But as a nutritionist, I deal with lots of males and they need some love too! So these balls are for the men. They are filled with foods that are great for testicular, sperm and prostate health. And with Valentines Day around the corner, we want to make sure everything downstairs in running as smooth as possible ;)

Some major nutrients specifically great for males are:

Zinc - essential for sperm production and helps with testosterone production. It has also been shown to inhibit DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which can lead to prostate enlargement (1)

Selenium - essential for sperm production, fertility and its antioxidant activity protects the prostate from cancers

Vitamin B5 - helps with sperm motility, testosterone levels and testicular function

Vitamin C - helps with sperm production, motility and viability

Arginine - an essential amino acid known to be a natural substitute to Viagra. Arginine helps with vasodilation in the penis and testosterone production

Antioxidants - help reduce inflammation and reactive oxygen species that can reduce sperm counts and lead to testicular and prostate cancers

In this recipe there are also some specific foods that support “the boys” and should be incorporated into the diet regularly for optimal reproductive health

Pumpkin Seeds - super high in zinc, essential fatty acids (EFAs) and antioxidants. I recommend that men incorporate pumpkin seeds daily through pumpkin seed butter, in trail mix or in energy balls like these ones

Cherries - great source of antioxidants and anthocyanins that promote healthy cardiovascular health. This means better blood flow all over the body, including the nether regions

Brazil Nuts - high in selenium and essential fatty acids for fertility and sex hormone production

Maca - balances estrogen and testosterone, helping the adrenals and testes function optimally. Maca has also been said to increase libido in males and females

Grass-fed Yogurt - contains zinc and arginine. Bonus for probiotics that support overall gut health, because no one feels that sexy when they’re bloated

Cacao - great source of antioxidants, magnesium and EFAs

Pomegranate - a very powerful source of antioxidants for prostate protection and lowers inflammation to support erectile function

Make sure to store these in the freezer so they do not turn into mush. As the cherries melt they will give off more liquid and not be as enjoyable. These are the perfect little snack for all times and will stay fresh in the freezer for about a month.

Frozen Balls For Your Balls

Ingredients

1/2 cup brazil nuts

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

1 cup coconut flakes - unsweetened

1 tbsp honey

1/2 cup frozen cherries

1 tbsp nut cashew butter

2 tsp pomegranate peel powder - optional

2 tbsp cacao nibs

Toppings

2 tbsp grass-fed yogurt

2 tsp maca powder

or

2 tbsp pumpkin seed butter

Directions

1. In a food processor combine the brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds and bend until broken down (30 seconds)

2. Add coconut flakes, cherries, pomegranate peel powder, honey and cashew butter and blend until all combined and smooth (60-90 seconds)

3. Add in cacao nibs and blend another 15 seconds until combined

4. Throw into the freezer for 20 minutes to firm before rolling into balls or roll into balls immediately (but they may be a little sticky)

5. Once formed, top with maca yogurt or for dairy-free, pumpkin seed butter and let set in the freezer another 1-2 hours

1. Bush, I. M., et al. "Zinc and the prostate." annual meeting of the American Medical Association Chicago. 1974.