What are aphrodisiac foods

Can spicing things up in the kitchen help you do the same in the bedroom? Foods like oysters and dark chocolate have long been touted as natural aphrodisiacs, with the ability to pep up your sex drive. But do they work?

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Yes and no. Research shows that for the most part, the power of aphrodisiacs is all in our head — but the placebo effect can go a long way. Registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, explains what aphrodisiacs are, whether they work and which to try.

What is an aphrodisiac?

“Aphrodisiacs — foods thought to have an impact on your sex drive — have historically been divided into three categories,” Zumpano explains. Foods that increase:

• Libido.
• Potency.
• Sexual pleasure.

Around the world, a great many foods are thought to fall into the aphrodisiac category — and there are almost as many reasons why. Some foods have nutrients, vitamins and minerals thought to have a direct impact on your sex drive, while others simply have attributes associated with increased arousal:

• Suggestively shaped: Foods shaped like genitalia (oysters, asparagus, root veggies) are thought to have aphrodisiacal qualities just by getting you thinking about, well, genitalia — and thus, about sex.
• Reproduction-related foods: Items like caviar, quail eggs, reproductive organ meats (for example, bull testicles) are said to boost your sexual energy.
• Hot and spicy foods: The thinking here is that hot foods — think chili peppers, jalapeno and curry — can make you hot and bothered, too.

Common natural aphrodisiacs (or not)

“Some foods have been clinically shown to have an impact on erectile dysfunction, which explains their designation as aphrodisiacs, while others in the category aren’t associated with any proven benefits,” Zumpano says.

She walks you through the reality of whether these foods can rev you up.

1. Chili peppers

“Some people believe that capsaicin, the compound that gives peppers their kick, can also kick your libido into high gear,” Zumpano says, “but no research has shown this to be true.”

2. Dark chocolate

Cacao has long been thought to increase sexual desire, which may explain why it’s such a popular Valentine’s Day gift. It includes a compound called phenylethylamine, a mild stimulant that can positively impact your mood. But research shows that women who eat chocolate may actually be less interested in sex than women who don’t.

3. Figs

This soft, delicate fruit was a popular aphrodisiac in ancient Greek and is associated with fertility because of its many seeds. But there’s no research showing that it can increase libido.

4. Honey

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates is said to have prescribed honey to patients who needed a little help with arousal, but today, there’s no scientific evidence showing that it works.

5. Strawberries

Does the word “aphrodisiac” make you think of chocolate-covered strawberries? The little red fruits have become a symbol of sexy foods. “But they don’t have any special sexual powers,” Zumpano says.  

6. Maca

Popular in Peru, this South American root vegetable is thought to boost libido. A few studies show that it may indeed boost erectile function and sexual desire, but there’s not yet enough research to be sure.

7. Oysters

Oysters, thought to resemble the female anatomy, have been considered an aphrodisiac since the days of the Roman Empire. We hate to break it to Casanova, but there’s no scientific evidence to show that they actually have an impact on sex drive.

8. Pistachios

One study showed that men with erectile dysfunction who ate 100 grams of pistachios for three weeks saw an increase in their overall erectile function. “This may be because pistachios contain arginine; though, to help relax blood vessels,” Zumpano says.

9. Saffron

This sweet, earthy spice has been shown to improve sexual dysfunction in people with depression treated with fluoxetine. In one study, saffron was shown to help with erectile dysfunction and lead to more satisfying sex; another study found that saffron may improve arousal, lubrication and pain in women. There are no studies, though, showing saffron’s benefits in people without depression.

10. Watermelon

Summer’s favorite fruit is rich in citrulline, an amino acid known to relax and dilate your blood vessels in much the same way as erectile dysfunction drugs do.

That said, you couldn’t possibly consume enough watermelon to make it worthwhile. “The rind is the part most packed with citrulline — and the least likely to be consumed,” Zumpano says.

Is it the placebo effect?

Here’s the thing: “Just because a food doesn’t have scientific properties declaring it helpful for your libido doesn’t mean that it’s not still doing a little something for your libido,” Zumpano says.

The placebo effect is when a substance with no medical effects has a positive benefit on a person’s health simply because the person believes it will. So, when it comes to aphrodisiacs, if you find a certain food sexy — be it chocolate, oysters or something else entirely — it can’t hurt to indulge a little.

“But stay away from supplements claiming to serve as aphrodisiacs, which aren’t approved by the FDA and may negatively interact with other medications,” Zumpano warns.

What to try instead of aphrodisiacs

If you’re interested in aphrodisiacs because you’re experiencing a low sex drive or sexual dysfunction, you’re much better off turning to medical professionals than to chocolate bars.

See a doctor if you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, low libido, vaginal dryness or other issues that might get in the way of your ability to get it on. Depending on the cause, your doctor may prescribe medication, therapy or other treatment strategies.

[This article was originally published in 2015]

For many people, two things dominate the mind, so it’s no wonder they go hand in hand. Food and sex are closely linked - romantic meals, sweet treats, and let’s not forget that scene from Nine and a Half Weeks. 

In fact, we’ve been firm believers in aphrodisiacs for about as long as we’ve been preparing food. But is there any truth in the libido-boosting claims, or are all the theories as limp as a lettuce leaf?

Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, and it would appear that a lot of our common aphrodisiacs and associations of love stem from that time. 

Aphrodite herself was often imagined emerging from a clamshell, and still today seafood and oysters are recognised as aphrodisiacs. 

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Other foods have perhaps gained a reputation from their appearance - carrots, asparagus, figs and artichokes all bear some resemblance to genitalia. You might consider this a bit infantile, but it isn’t difficult to turn our caveman brain to matters of love, especially with a bit of visual prompting - Channel 4’s Cucumber is, ahem, ripe with suggestive foodie imagery.

Other, more obscure - and bonkers - aphrodisiacs have waned in popularity over the years. Spanish fly, cobra blood, Japanese blowfish and baboon urine have all been ingested in the hopes of a good time. So, sadly, has rhino horn, pushing the animal to the brink of extinction. 

Not to be outdone on weird and wonderful miracle cures, Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop recommends ‘sex bark’, an innocent enough looking chocolate recipe until you hit your local Sainsbury’s in search of the ingredients - including ho shou wo (a Chinese herb) and “Sex Dust”.

But what of the old favourites, including our old friend chocolate? Here are a few of the more common aphrodisiacs.

In itself a sensuous food, plus it contains the chemicals anandamide and phenylethylamine, which boost serotonin levels - the feel-good hormone. However, there is debate over how much of the chemicals our brain actually absorbs, and gorging ourselves on a family-sized Dairy Milk to make up the difference could actually be a passion-killer. However, a strawberry or two dipped in dark chocolate couldn’t hurt.

Their appearance isn’t just suggestive, it’s slap you in the face schoolboy innuendo. They are also high in zinc, which can boost semen production and regulate sexual hormones, but experts believe it’s that intimate way of eating - or slurping - the oysters that actually get us going.

Stop sniggering at the back, yes, they are a funny shape. Asparagus is also a good source of Vitamin E, which is involved in stimulating the production of sex hormones. But realistically, a couple of stalks with your starter on the night in question won’t make a huge difference.

Spicy food warms you up, gets your heart pumping, stimulates nerve endings and increases the blood flow, so there might be some truth to this one. Just make sure you wash your hands after...

This contains citrulline, which relaxes the blood vessels in much the same way as Viagra does. Plus it’s a less stodgy dessert option to keep you alert all evening.

And here are five you might not have heard of…

This sweet root vegetables has been nicknamed Peruvian Viagra, and animal studies have indicated some aphrodisiac qualities, although this hasn’t been extensively tested on humans. It is also thought to increase stamina and heighten awareness.

It’s not the sexiest of foods, but it contains phyto-androgens, which is similar to testosterone and can increase sexual desire in women.

Known as the love apple, here’s another suggestive fruit that packs a punch. It’s high in anti-oxidants, so boosts blood flow, in turn increasing genital sensitivity.

It’s all about the potassium. While the phallic shape may immediately fuel passions, the potassium delivers muscle strength, so in theory intensifies orgasms.

The Romans discovered the aphrodisiac qualities of rocket, and it was used in love potions. It is a great digestive aid and packed with nutrients, which might leave you feeling great, but it is yet to be proved that it will give you gladiatorial qualities in the bedroom...