A frequent concept held by lustful thinkers for thousands of years is that there’s had to be a secret ingredient in the kitchen for toe-curling sex. There is a legend that some meals act as natural aphrodisiacs, igniting passion and promoting sensual pleasure. If you serve the proper food, the outcome might be really spicy. (Wink, wink.)
But do these sultry assertions have any merit? Studies on the subject don’t exactly excite us, but if your mind is in the correct place, don’t give up on the possibility that your food will possess some sensory magic. Join me in breaking down our romantic appetite with Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, a qualified dietitian.
An aphrodisiac is what?
Aphrodisiacs are meals, beverages, and other items that are supposed to increase your desire for sex. The Greek goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite, whose libido inspired myths, is the source of the name. According to Zumpano, aphrodisiacs have historically been categorised into three major groups. They have been applied to raise: a desire to have sex. The ability to reproduce. Pleasure of the sexual kind.
Which foods are regarded as aphrodisiacs?
Numerous foods are considered (and have been considered) aphrodisiacs by cultures all over the world. Zumpano claims that some of the reasons why certain foods are given sexual labelling aren’t exactly supported by research. For example:
Foods that resemble genitalia, such as oysters, figs, asparagus, and root vegetables, are said to have aphrodisiac properties simply by stimulating the mind.
It’s well knowledge that consuming foods with roots in reproduction increases a person’s libido. Caviar, quail eggs, and “Rocky Mountain oysters” (also known as bull testicles) are a few examples.
Do you want to raise the bedroom’s temperature? Some people think that consuming spicy foods like curries, jalapeños, and chilli peppers can kindle romance.
To be fair, though, some foods do include vitamins, minerals, and other substances that could spicily enhance intimacy. Yet, the relationship is frequently theoretical. Very little is supported by solid evidence. These ten foods (or spices) are thought to have aphrodisiac properties; some remarks can be made about each.
Oysters:
According to legend, renowned philanderer Giacomo Casanova consumed fifty oysters every day to support his promiscuous ways. And although science hasn’t disproved him, his diet might have some merit. Zinc, which is abundant in oysters, has the ability to increase testosterone levels and increase sex drive. According to Zumpano, zinc also increases dopamine levels, the “feel-good” hormone in the brain that intensifies feelings of pleasure. But can we state with certainty that oysters increase libido? Not quite, considering the paucity of studies.
Dark Chocolate:
Given its long-standing reputation for arousing sexual desire, it makes sense that chocolate would be a highly sought-after Valentine’s Day present. It contains phenylethylamine, a moderate stimulant that has been shown to improve mood. However, Zumpano points out that it might be a leap to suggest it stimulates sexual desire. Indeed, a study discovered that women who consume chocolate more frequently show LESS enthusiasm in having sex.
Southwestern Peppers
The hot ingredient in chilli peppers that singes taste buds and opens sweat ducts is called capsaicin. According to Zumpano, “some people think it can also boost testosterone and kick your libido into high gear.” There is no scientific evidence that raising your body temperature would make sex any hotter, even though it might make you feel like taking off your clothing.
Melon
Citrulline, an amino acid that relaxes and dilates blood vessels in a manner similar to erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs, is abundant in summer’s favourite fruit. Because of this, some people call watermelon “Nature’s Viagra®.” However, as Zumpano explains, you could never eat enough watermelon to make it profitable. Furthermore, the portion of the watermelon with the highest citrulline content is the rind, which is unlikely to be consumed.
berries
Let’s face it: strawberries are now associated with sultry cuisine. Snacking on the delicious fruit in the shape of a heart really shouts sexiness. Oh my, dunk it in dark chocolate. But that reputation is more a product of Valentine’s Day promotion than reality: “Strawberries don’t have any special sexual abilities, but they do have a lot of nutrients and can help with heart, brain, and immune function,” explains Zumpano.
Sweetheart
Regarding advocates of boosting libido, Hippocrates—who has been recognised for his medical contributions in Ancient Greece and is often seen as the founder of modern medicine—spoke out in favour of honey. Hippocrates is reported to have administered honey to patients who were having trouble getting into their groove. Perhaps he had a point—we now know that honey can raise testosterone levels. Again, though, there’s no conclusive proof that honey will facilitate erotic intimacy.
Items made of honey that are advertised as sexual enhancers should also be avoided. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has released alerts regarding potentially harmful substances present in a number of supplements.
Figs
This is yet another popular aphrodisiac that dates back to classical Greece. Because figs have so many seeds, the Greeks associated the fruit with fertility. The idea also has some validity. Due to its high iron content, figs are important for both male and female fertility, according to research. Once more, however, Zumpano stresses that insufficient data exists to declare figs a reproductive miracle or libido enhancer.
pistachios
Do you want to start a passionate and steamy night with your blood pumping? Eat a few of pistachios. L-arginine, an amino acid that dilates blood vessels to enhance blood flow, is abundant in tree nuts. If you have ED, that is a huge benefit. A brief investigation revealed that consuming 100 grammes of pistachios every day for three weeks lessened ED symptoms.
Macan
If you don’t think root vegetables are incredibly sexy, think again. The Peruvian root vegetable maca has a well-deserved reputation for arousing sexual desire. Research indicates that it might be useful in boosting libido and reducing certain types of sexual dysfunction. It appears to also enhance the quality of semen. However, while some research suggests benefits for the bedroom, others warn caution. Health claims have been “dragged out of context,” according to one group of academics, and their scientific validity has been called into question.
Saffron
It has been demonstrated that this earthy, sweet spice enhances sexual function, however the benefits are mostly limited to antidepressant users. Researchers discovered that saffron increased lubrication and arousal in women on fluoxetine (often administered under the brand name Prozac®) and produced harder erections in men. According to Zumpano, the results about saffron’s impact on those who do not use depression medication are not quite as encouraging.
Is there a chance of a placebo effect?
It’s reasonable to conclude from what you’ve just read that science isn’t exactly in favour of theories linking food to aphrodisiacs. To put it plainly, there isn’t enough data to draw clear conclusions. However, that does not preclude them from arousing sexual desire. According to Zumpano, “a food doesn’t necessarily have to have scientific properties to be helpful for your libido; it just has to be doing something for it.”
Put it down to the influence of a placebo. That’s the word for the situation in which your brain effectively deceives you into believing a fake treatment works. This phenomenon serves as an example of the effectiveness of optimistic thinking. It basically means that if you think something will work, it might work.
According to Zumpano, trying a taste of aphrodisiacs doesn’t hurt if you find a particular meal appealing, be it chocolate, oysters, or something else entirely.
Use supplements with caution.
There isn’t much government regulation of dietary supplements. They are not examined with the same rigour as food or pharmaceuticals. Because of this, it might be challenging to determine the precise level of quality and focus you’re receiving. In light of this, Zumpano advises against using substances that are advertised as aphrodisiacs. “They may negatively interact with medications you’re taking and aren’t approved by the FDA.”
Managing concerns related to sex drive
Aphrodisiacs are frequently only a portion of the flirty fun that starts a romantic evening. It’s the gastronomic equivalent of turning down the lights and turning on some seductive music by Marvin Gaye. However, be aware that there are medical options available if you’re using aphrodisiacs to treat low libido, ED, vaginal dryness, or other similar problems. Consult a medical professional about your options. In the end, medical professionals are a lot better option than chocolate bars, according to Zumpano.
