Aphrodisiacs: Can Food Really Boost Our Sex Drive?

11:31 am Friday, 9^th August, 2013

An aphrodisiac is a word used to describe a soluble substance that increases sexual desire. Aphrodisiacs come in a variety of forms, from hormones such as testosterone supplements that increase libido, to herbs and other food items that can be eaten.



The use of drugs are the only conclusive tested means of improving someone’s sex drive. Alkyl nitrates, bremelonotide, melatonan II and phenylethylamine are all examples of chemicals that can increase and improve one’s need to have more sex.



But what about food? Food wise sadly, things aren’t so conclusive. Because chocolate contains traces of phenylethylamine, a myth has circulated that chocolate is an aphrodisiac. However, you would need to eat a lot of chocolate to feel it’s effect. Based on my vast life experiences with chocolate, and after eating large quantities of Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut on numerous occasions, I’ve not exactly been reaching for the spanking paddle and hunting a man down after said chocolate binges: so is this theory really right?



Overall the foods that we eat that can boost our sex drive contain a variety of vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, fiber, thiamin, potassium, folic acid, vitamin B6/C/A & D. Combined, or alone, foods that are rich in these sources are considered to take on various positive effects on libido such as fighting depression, improving sperm count, boosting histamine productions, and boosting your immune system.



To name a few, foods that are rich in these vitamins and minerals are:

• Bananas - Potassium, magnesium and vitamin B



• Avacado - Fiber, folic acid, potassium and vitamin B6



• Almonds - Vitamin E, fiber and magnesium



• Oysters - Zinc



• Honey - Vitamin B

What we do know is that these types of vitamins scientifically do have a positive effect on libido, but to what amount is debatable because of the trace amounts in the foods, and also because of the time it takes for vitamins to absorb into the body. In order to make a noticeable boost your libido, you will need to incorporate these types of vitamin rich foods into your diet over an extended period of time for them to take any effect: vitamins are not a quick fix for your libido and in addition to this, you will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid stress, and take regular exercise too in order to avoid counteracting the vitamin rich foods that you’re consuming.



So can foods really boost our sex drive? Disappointingly the jury is out because science has not quite come up with a conclusive answer; however we do know that without doubt, there are lifestyle changes and vitamins that you can take to help in order to improve things overall. With that, it seems that my last justification for consuming considerable amounts of chocolate in one sitting has run out: what next, Big Mac’s aren’t good for your hair?

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