Do Aphrodisiacs Work? List of Aphrodisiac Foods to Boost Libido

Do Aphrodisiacs Work? List of Aphrodisiac Foods to Boost Libido

My husband and I have our birthdays next month, within a few days of each other. We have a long, dirty weekend away to look forward to. As well as making the most of the hotel room, we’ll be visiting various restaurants to enjoy gourmet dining out experiences as a couple. My thoughts turned to foods that are aphrodisiacs; what to look out for on the restaurant menus so I can make the most of these supposed boosts to my sex drive. Do aphrodisiacs work? Read on as I delve into the world of foods to enhance your sex life, plus a handy list of aphrodisiac foods to boost libido.

What Are Aphrodisiacs?

Aphrodisiac foods are believed to stimulate romantic desire and enhance sexual performance. While scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness varies, many cultures have celebrated the purported aphrodisiac qualities of certain foods for centuries.

Are Aphrodisiacs a New Trend?

Absolutely not! Food purported to be aphrodisiac has been part of human culture for a lot longer than many people realise. The concept of aphrodisiac foods dates to ancient times, with the first mention of them found in Egyptian texts as far back as 2000 BCE. Ancient Greeks and Romans also believed in the power of aphrodisiacs. Foods that were eaten in the hope of boosting libido includes chocolate, oysters, ginseng and saffron.

The word “aphrodisiac” is derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty – further cementing many people’s belief in aphrodisiacs as a legitimate concept.

Handy Aphrodisiac Foods List

• Avocado – The Aztecs called the avocado tree “ahuacatl,” meaning “testicle tree,” due to the fruit’s shape. Rich in vitamin E, it is thought to help maintain youthful vigour and energy levels.
• Bananas – High in potassium and B vitamins, bananas help produce sex hormones and enhance energy levels. The fruit’s phallic shape also adds to its association with sexuality.
• Figs – Symbolizing fertility and reproduction, figs are rich in amino acids, which can boost sexual stamina and libido.
• Pomegranate – Packed with antioxidants, pomegranate is thought to improve blood flow and erectile function. It has been revered since ancient times for its fertility-enhancing properties.
• Asparagus – Known for its phallic shape, asparagus is rich in vitamin E, which helps stimulate sex hormones.
• Carrots – Carrots have been associated with fertility and sexual health due to their high beta-carotene content.
• Ginseng – Widely regarded as a potent aphrodisiac, ginseng is believed to enhance libido and improve sexual performance by increasing nitric oxide levels and blood flow.
• Saffron – This expensive spice has been shown to have potential aphrodisiac properties, improving sexual function and arousal.
• Ginger – Known for its warming properties, ginger improves circulation and increases sensitivity in erogenous zones.
• Nutmeg & Cloves – Both spices have been used in traditional medicine as aphrodisiacs. Nutmeg is believed to have a stimulating effect, while cloves can improve blood flow and stimulate nerve function.
• Oysters – High in zinc, which is crucial for testosterone production and healthy sperm, oysters are one of the most famous aphrodisiacs.
• Salmon – Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon supports hormone production and cardiovascular health, essential for sexual function.
• Caviar – The high zinc content in caviar can boost testosterone levels and improve libido.
• Dark Chocolate – Contains phenylethylamine (PEA) and serotonin, which are mood enhancers and can promote feelings of well-being and excitement.
• Almonds – Symbolic of fertility throughout history, almonds are rich in essential fatty acids that promote hormone production.
• Walnuts – Containing omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts support healthy blood flow and hormone levels.
• Honey – Known as the “nectar of Aphrodite,” honey contains boron, which helps regulate hormone levels.
• Red Wine – In moderation, red wine can enhance blood flow and lower inhibitions, contributing to a relaxed state of mind conducive to romance.
• Chili Peppers – The capsaicin in chili peppers can increase blood flow and stimulate nerve endings, enhancing arousal.
• Vanilla – The scent of vanilla is believed to have a calming effect that can reduce stress and enhance mood, potentially increasing sexual desire.

The Most Unusual Aphrodisiac Foods From Around The World

Cobra Blood

Cobra blood is an elixir that is believed to have many different powers, including aphrodisiac qualities. Due to the rarity of the product, cobra blood is difficult to come by and very expensive. However, this product has been known to last for years if mixed with a strong alcohol and sipped during those times when a little more pizzaz in the bedroom is required. Bottoms up!

Ambergris

Ambergris, or whale vomit as it is more commonly known, has been hailed as one of the world’s most powerful aphrodisiacs. In a recent study, scientists found that eating Ambergris had an aphrodisiac effect on laboratory rats who began to crave sex more often.

Casu Marzu

Casu Marzu, or rotten cheese as we would call it in the United Kingdom, is a Sardinian delicacy that is created during a process in which it is fed upon by hundreds of wriggly maggots. Left outside to rot, this cheese requires flies to land on the cheese, lay eggs and the maggots to hatch. The live maggots feed on the cheese and produce an enzyme which causes fermentation. It is illegal in Europe, but Sardinians swear by the aphrodisiac qualities of this product.

Balut

Found in the Philippines, Balut is a boiled duck egg with a difference. The difference being that it still contains the embryo of a duckling. Natives claim that Balut is just as potent as Viagra and also gives a boost of energy due to high levels of protein.

Cow Cod Soup

Traditionally cooked with banana and scotch bonnet peppers (eek!), Cow Cod Soup is a Jamaican soup delicacy which contains the penis of a bull. The eating of penis is not uncommon during ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Bush Tucker Trials, so there is ample opportunity to create your own version at home. Who knows, when you’ve stopped vomiting you might even enjoy a night of passion… or a night on the toilet after indulging on those super-hot peppers.

Leafcutter Ants

High in protein and low in fat, leafcutter ants have been a popular Columbian wedding gift for over 500 years. Often served roasted, eating the leafcutter ants is thought to create a powerful sexual desire before the wedding night. For those seeking a pre-marital hit, Queen ants are often toasted and sold during the everyday Columbian markets.

Yartsa Gunbu

Yartsa Gunbu, or ‘Summer grass, Winter worm’ as it is known in Tibet is created when caterpillars become infected by a fungus and mummified. This hot commodity has been hailed the ‘Himalayan Viagra’ and is said to assist with erectile dysfunction and low libido. Yartsa Gunbu can only be found during Springtime, so they are highly sought by entrepreneurial natives.

Do Aphrodisiac Foods Actually Work?

Let’s talk about the science. Certain foods can definitely contribute to better health, which is always a plus when it comes to sex. Foods rich in vitamins, minerals and protein will help boost energy levels, improve circulation and balance hormones which in turn leads to a healthy libido. Chocolate has mood-enhancing properties, which helps with sexual desire, passion and performance.

Scientific research investigating the positive effects of supposed aphrodisiac foods has been largely inconclusive. This isn’t to say aphrodisiac effects from certain foods have been ruled out entirely, but the idea that you can magically and rapidly increase sexual desire and performance due to foods you’ve eaten prior doesn’t have roots in scientifically proven fact.

In Conclusion

The jury is out when it comes to a conclusive verdict on whether aphrodisiacs work, and if aphrodisiac foods really do help boost libido. If you are reading this article hoping for scientific evidence that certain foods will cause an immediate and powerful effect on sexual desire levels, I will have to disappoint you. Scientific studies into aphrodisiac food have yet to provide concrete evidence to support this view. However, some foods offer potential health benefits which will improve circulation, the skin and your joints, which in turn leads to greater attractiveness, stamina and flexibility in the bedroom.

Some people swear that certain foods are an aphrodisiac for them and their partner. This strong belief likely combines the cultural lore of aphrodisiac foods which has been found in various human cultures for centuries, and anecdotal ‘evidence’; experiencing heightened intimacy and fantastic sex sessions after eating certain foods. Because popular allegedly aphrodisiac foods are also the ones eaten during gourmet wining & dining experiences, or bought in at home only on special occasions, the idea that these particular foods have aphrodisiac qualities persists in many people’s minds. The mind is a powerful tool, and despite the fact that the reported aphrodisiac effect of certain foods may be more psychological than physiological, it would be a mistake to rule out their effectiveness completely.

Whatever you choose to eat and drink with your partner, there is an assured romantic and sensual value to this enjoyable, intimate experience. Bon appétit!