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It’s the week of celebrating love. As Valentine's Day is just around the corner, couples are on the search for the perfect food to get them “in the mood”. Be it a romantic dinner at a restaurant or cooking at home, food speaks the language of love.
Chocolate, strawberries and oysters are long believed to be powerful aphrodisiacs, foods which enhance sexual desire and performance. But is there any truth to it? Or is it all just lore?
Let’s find out.
Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and passion. They are said to boost sex drive, potency, and sexual pleasure.
Researchers describe aphrodisiacs as "food or drinks that arouse sexual instinct and potency, increase pleasure and desire and improve performance".
Many myths on aphrodisiacs link them to an ancient Greek physician named Galen, who claimed that foods that are warm and moist or cause flatulence do wonders for the libido.
“‘To make the penis erect’ one should ‘anoint [it] with honey before sex’ or ‘put arugula seed in honey and drink [it],'” The Daily Beast quoted Galen’s work as saying.
Aztec ruler Montezuma is said to have consumed dozens of cups of hot chocolate daily to grow his sex drive.
Giacomo Casanova, an 18th-century Italian author, is reported to have eaten 50 oysters for breakfast every day due to their stimulating properties.
India’s Kama Sutra is full of aphrodisiac foods, which include everything from milk and saffron to asparagus, methi (fenugreek) and nutmeg.
"Historically, foods considered to be aphrodisiacs were hard to find, rare or expensive, like truffles, foie gras and caviar, or shaped like a sex organ, like asparagus or artichokes, and even animal testicles," Martha Hopkins, co-author of the book Intercourses, told BBC in 2019.
Chocolates are a go-to gift for Valentine’s Day. Their status as an aphrodisiac (long debunked) only makes them more attractive. Chocolates are thought to increase sex drive as studies show cocoa enhances blood flow in parts of the body beyond the torso.
The mixture of cocoa, sugar and fat in chocolate may stimulate the brain to raise levels of serotonin, as per the Good Food magazine. However, chocolate does not have a direct relationship with sexual desire.
Oysters are rich in zinc, which is required for maintaining levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that could boost sexual desire in women and treat issues such as erectile dysfunction. They are also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which help bring down inflammation, improve heart health, and protect against heart disease.
But there is little scientific research to establish their status as aphrodisiacs. "Oysters have limited evidence of having an effect on sexual desire, but a rigorous trial [proving that effect] is lacking – partly because the placebo effect is so big," Michael Krychman, obstetrician, gynaecologist and a clinical sexual counsellor, told BBC.
If we believe a food turns us on, the psychology of the placebo takes over our desire.
Research suggests that consumption in high amounts of certain herbs and foods, such as maca,
methi, ginkgo biloba, red ginseng, saffron, and pistachios, could have an impact on libido.
Studies, although limited, show red ginseng could improve sexual arousal in menopausal women and erectile function in men.
Maca, also referred to as ‘Peruvian Viagra’, has been used as a natural aphrodisiac to increase fertility and sexual desire in South America. But studies remain limited.
Ginkgo, a large tree with fan-shaped leaves that is native to China, has shown to drive blood flow to peripheral organs, including the genitals. However, there are contrasting studies as to its impact on improving sexual function.
Avocado, which was called by the Aztec people as the 'testicle tree', is rich in zinc, vitamin E and magnesium. While it can support healthy fertility, there is hardly any evidence of its aphrodisiac effect, according to Good Food.
ALSO READ: Galentine’s Day watchlist: Films that celebrate female friendship
No food has been proven to enhance sexual arousal or desire. The only exception is alcohol.
Studies have found that women who drank one or two glasses of red wine each day experienced more sexual desire.
Red wine may be indirectly linked to sexual function due to its potential benefits to heart health. But too much consumption of alcohol can reduce arousal and sexual performance.
According to Lauri Wright, the director of nutrition programs at the University of South Florida, people who have compromised blood flow will only witness any improvements to sexual function by eating aphrodisiacs, BBC reported.
She said that an overall diet can act as an aphrodisiac through benefits like improved blood flow, increased hormones or elevated mood.
Krychman told BBC that a Mediterranean diet may prove beneficial for sexual function and overall health. This diet limits red meat, refined grains and processed foods. Instead, the Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts (especially walnuts.
"Research has found that red wine affects sexual function, but we don't know if it's the diet, or a combination of diet, lifestyle and genetics," Krychman said. "What we do know is that, for people who exercise, have a healthy diet and lower stress, all these elements work together and they have better sex lives."
Speaking to NDTV, Deeksha Sehwag, Senior Dietitian at Fortis Hospital, Manesar, underlined that aphrodisiac foods are not wonder drugs but could have an impact on the overall health.
She said, "Aphrodisiac foods don't work like magic pills, but certain foods can indirectly support sexual health by improving blood circulation, hormone balance, energy levels and mood. Sexual desire and performance are influenced by overall nutrition, fitness, stress levels and mental wellbeing. Foods that improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation and support hormone production can help to enhance stamina."
Moreover, the right context matters. With romance in the air, any food can feel like an aphrodisiac; it is just about setting the right mood!
With inputs from agencies
Chocolate, strawberries and oysters are long believed to be powerful aphrodisiacs, foods which enhance sexual desire and performance. But is there any truth to it? Or is it all just lore?
Let’s find out.
Origin of aphrodisiac effect
Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and passion. They are said to boost sex drive, potency, and sexual pleasure.
Researchers describe aphrodisiacs as "food or drinks that arouse sexual instinct and potency, increase pleasure and desire and improve performance".
Many myths on aphrodisiacs link them to an ancient Greek physician named Galen, who claimed that foods that are warm and moist or cause flatulence do wonders for the libido.
“‘To make the penis erect’ one should ‘anoint [it] with honey before sex’ or ‘put arugula seed in honey and drink [it],'” The Daily Beast quoted Galen’s work as saying.
Aztec ruler Montezuma is said to have consumed dozens of cups of hot chocolate daily to grow his sex drive.
Giacomo Casanova, an 18th-century Italian author, is reported to have eaten 50 oysters for breakfast every day due to their stimulating properties.
Aphrodisiac foods are said to boost sexual drive and pleasure. Representational Image/AI-generated
India’s Kama Sutra is full of aphrodisiac foods, which include everything from milk and saffron to asparagus, methi (fenugreek) and nutmeg.
"Historically, foods considered to be aphrodisiacs were hard to find, rare or expensive, like truffles, foie gras and caviar, or shaped like a sex organ, like asparagus or artichokes, and even animal testicles," Martha Hopkins, co-author of the book Intercourses, told BBC in 2019.
Foods considered aphrodisiacs
Chocolates are a go-to gift for Valentine’s Day. Their status as an aphrodisiac (long debunked) only makes them more attractive. Chocolates are thought to increase sex drive as studies show cocoa enhances blood flow in parts of the body beyond the torso.
The mixture of cocoa, sugar and fat in chocolate may stimulate the brain to raise levels of serotonin, as per the Good Food magazine. However, chocolate does not have a direct relationship with sexual desire.
Oysters are rich in zinc, which is required for maintaining levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that could boost sexual desire in women and treat issues such as erectile dysfunction. They are also packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which help bring down inflammation, improve heart health, and protect against heart disease.
But there is little scientific research to establish their status as aphrodisiacs. "Oysters have limited evidence of having an effect on sexual desire, but a rigorous trial [proving that effect] is lacking – partly because the placebo effect is so big," Michael Krychman, obstetrician, gynaecologist and a clinical sexual counsellor, told BBC.
If we believe a food turns us on, the psychology of the placebo takes over our desire.
Research suggests that consumption in high amounts of certain herbs and foods, such as maca,
Studies, although limited, show red ginseng could improve sexual arousal in menopausal women and erectile function in men.
Maca, also referred to as ‘Peruvian Viagra’, has been used as a natural aphrodisiac to increase fertility and sexual desire in South America. But studies remain limited.
Ginkgo, a large tree with fan-shaped leaves that is native to China, has shown to drive blood flow to peripheral organs, including the genitals. However, there are contrasting studies as to its impact on improving sexual function.
Avocado, which was called by the Aztec people as the 'testicle tree', is rich in zinc, vitamin E and magnesium. While it can support healthy fertility, there is hardly any evidence of its aphrodisiac effect, according to Good Food.
ALSO READ: Galentine’s Day watchlist: Films that celebrate female friendship
Are any aphrodisiac foods real?
No food has been proven to enhance sexual arousal or desire. The only exception is alcohol.
Studies have found that women who drank one or two glasses of red wine each day experienced more sexual desire.
Red wine may be indirectly linked to sexual function due to its potential benefits to heart health. But too much consumption of alcohol can reduce arousal and sexual performance.
According to Lauri Wright, the director of nutrition programs at the University of South Florida, people who have compromised blood flow will only witness any improvements to sexual function by eating aphrodisiacs, BBC reported.
She said that an overall diet can act as an aphrodisiac through benefits like improved blood flow, increased hormones or elevated mood.
Krychman told BBC that a Mediterranean diet may prove beneficial for sexual function and overall health. This diet limits red meat, refined grains and processed foods. Instead, the Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts (especially walnuts.
"Research has found that red wine affects sexual function, but we don't know if it's the diet, or a combination of diet, lifestyle and genetics," Krychman said. "What we do know is that, for people who exercise, have a healthy diet and lower stress, all these elements work together and they have better sex lives."
Speaking to NDTV, Deeksha Sehwag, Senior Dietitian at Fortis Hospital, Manesar, underlined that aphrodisiac foods are not wonder drugs but could have an impact on the overall health.
She said, "Aphrodisiac foods don't work like magic pills, but certain foods can indirectly support sexual health by improving blood circulation, hormone balance, energy levels and mood. Sexual desire and performance are influenced by overall nutrition, fitness, stress levels and mental wellbeing. Foods that improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation and support hormone production can help to enhance stamina."
Moreover, the right context matters. With romance in the air, any food can feel like an aphrodisiac; it is just about setting the right mood!
With inputs from agencies
