Learn which foods rev up your sex drive—and which don’t
By Sarah Jio
From oysters to avocados—we’ve all heard the rumors about the so-called aphrodisiac properties of certain foods. While a few are based on folklore, health experts say that some foods are better for sexual function than others. “Diet plays an important role in sexual function, including sex drive,” says Debby Herbenick, PhD, associate director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University. But which foods have greater libido-boosting powers than others? We sorted through fact and fiction to bring you the answers.
Real: Oysters
Everyone has heard about the so-called aphrodisiac properties of oysters, but will a dozen on the half-shell really do anything for your sex drive? Perhaps, says Jessica Baye, a registered dietician and clinical nutrition manager for MCGHealth in Augusta, Georgia. Here’s why: “Oysters contain high levels of zinc,” she explains. “Zinc stimulates the hormone testosterone, an essential sex drive hormone.” Try incorporating oysters in a romantic dinner with your partner, suggests Baye. But take extra care when shucking them; oyster shells are sharp and a deep cut in the hand—and subsequent trip to the emergency room—would definitely spoil the mood.
Fake: Bananas
You may have heard about the libido-boosting properties of bananas, but does eating one as an afternoon snack mean you’ll have better sex that night? Sorry, this one’s a myth, says Pepper Schwartz, PhD, a Seattle-based psychologist and chief relationship expert at PerfectMatch.com. “There’s a whole school of thought about things that are shaped like genitals being turn-ons,” she says. “A banana is shaped like a penis, but other than that, there aren’t any aphrodisiac properties here.”
Real: Wheat Germ
Wheat germ is a great source of vitamin E, which could help you in the bedroom. “Vitamin E is often called the main sex vitamin,” says Lauri Grossman, DC, the chair of the Department of Medicine and Humanistic Studies at the American Medical College of Homeopathy. “It's a powerful antiaging antioxidant that protects cell membranes from free-radical damage and is required for the synthesis of hormones.” It also helps female bodies balance estrogen. Too much estrogen, explains Dr. Grossman, can cause PMS, anxiety, bloating, headaches, muscle aches and mood swings—all things that put a damper on a woman’s sex drive.
Fake: Avocados
According to legend, the Aztecs referred to avocado trees as "testicle trees,” and folklore has long associated avocados with an improved libido. Is there any truth to it? “I’m sorry to say, it’s a myth,” says Dr. Schwartz. “There is nothing that suggests that avocados can do much for your sex drive.” She says that the vitamins and minerals they contain may have some relationship to increased libido, but you’d have to eat a ton of avocados to get the effect.
Real: Chocolate
You’ve already heard about the antioxidant properties of dark chocolate, but does it really have any aphrodisiac effects? Maybe. “Chocolate has a multitude of qualities that put it in the category of aphrodisiac,” says Baye. “Because it has a high fat and sugar content, it's often considered forbidden to eat. For some people, eating chocolate makes them feel ‘naughty’ and can cause an endorphin rush, similar to a runners’ high.”
Chocolate also contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that plays a role in the production of serotonin. “Increased levels of serotonin are associated with feelings of being relaxed and satisfied,” she says. Baye also points to an Italian study that showed a correlation between daily chocolate consumption and an increase in libido. Though the study’s outcomes were largely inconclusive, she and other experts believe that a little chocolate now and then can’t hurt—and may even help—your sex drive.
Fake: Pumpkin Seeds
You may have heard the rumors about pumpkin seeds being “nature’s Viagra” for women—and what a great concept, right? The idea of eating a few pumpkin seeds, which are a healthy source of magnesium and iron, and feeling “in the mood” shortly after almost sounds too good to be true. Unfortunately, it is. Dr. Schwartz says don’t go out and stock up on pumpkin seeds just yet. “There’s no science behind this, or anything that really proves this,” she says. “It’s widely believed, but it’s never been tested.” Bottom line: If you like pumpkin seeds, snack away, but know that they may not do anything for your sex drive.
Real: Hot Chile Peppers
Can spicy foods rev up your libido? Yes, says Dr. Schwartz. “Anything that starts a sweating reaction, whether it’s in your palms or your forehead, starts it everywhere,” she explains. “Spicy foods, like hot chile peppers, get your blood flowing—and increased blood flow is an arousal mechanism that gets your juices going.” The easiest way to add spice to your favorite foods without going overboard is by sprinkling a bit of crushed chili flakes on your meal at dinner, suggests Dr. Schwartz.
Real: Champagne
While it’s true that alcoholic drinks can reduce your inhibitions, do they really increase your sex drive? Most won’t, says Dr. Schwartz, who notes that many alcoholic beverages actually have the reverse effect: They’ll give you a buzz, but quickly leave you with little energy or a lack of the blood flow that you need for arousal. Champagne, however, is the exception, she says. “Champagne is the perfect arousal drink,” she explains. “Because of the carbonation, you don’t have to drink as much and you feel the effects a lot quicker.”
Fake: Almonds
According to folklore, the scent of almonds makes women feel amorous. But this one’s better off left in fairytale land, according to Dolores Kent, MD, a gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles. But here’s the interesting news: An ingredient in almonds might actually be beneficial for your overall sex drive. “Almonds contain L-arginine, a substance that is found in some medicated creams and gels that you apply to the genitals to increase arousal,” she says. While it’s not clear how many almonds you’d need to eat to reap the same libido-boosting effects, Dr. Kent says it wouldn’t hurt to snack on almonds every once in a while in the name of better sex (and health).
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