Aphrodisiacs have been used by every culture from the ancient Persians to the Aztecs to boost sexual desire. But do these supposed love potions really work? Scientific evidence suggests it’s the placebo effect that accounts for most of the libido-lifting powers of your typical aphrodisiac, but some of these foods, drinks, herbs, spices and scents may actually contribute to physical arousal in a variety of ways. Read on for the lowdown on five popular sex enhancers.
Nutmeg
Scientific evidence for the aphrodisiac qualities of nutmeg is lacking, but the spice has been used as a mild painkiller and to stimulate the circulatory system and increase blood flow — which surely can't hurt your sex drive. Also, a study found that ingesting nutmeg increased mating behaviors in mice, but, sadly, there's no evidence that the same effect applies to humans.
Nutmeg
Scientific evidence for the aphrodisiac qualities of nutmeg is lacking, but the spice has been used as a mild painkiller and to stimulate the circulatory system and increase blood flow — which surely can't hurt your sex drive. Also, a study found that ingesting nutmeg increased mating behaviors in mice, but, sadly, there's no evidence that the same effect applies to humans.
spend your Valentine's Day.
Oysters and Other Luscious-Looking Foods
From bananas to figs to actual deer penis, foods that resemble our sex organs have had a long history of being touted as aphrodisiacs. Oysters first got their reputation as a (sea)food of love mainly because they're shaped like female genitalia, though some people also claim that their slippery mouthfeel adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the mood of the meal.
However, oysters contain high levels of zinc, which may improve sex drive by boosting testosterone production. They also contain tyrosine, a nutrient that aids in the production of dopamine, low levels of which are known to affect libido. It's not clear how many oysters you'd have to eat to make a measurable difference in the bedroom, but, hey, there's a lot of fun to be had in trying.
From bananas to figs to actual deer penis, foods that resemble our sex organs have had a long history of being touted as aphrodisiacs. Oysters first got their reputation as a (sea)food of love mainly because they're shaped like female genitalia, though some people also claim that their slippery mouthfeel adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the mood of the meal.
However, oysters contain high levels of zinc, which may improve sex drive by boosting testosterone production. They also contain tyrosine, a nutrient that aids in the production of dopamine, low levels of which are known to affect libido. It's not clear how many oysters you'd have to eat to make a measurable difference in the bedroom, but, hey, there's a lot of fun to be had in trying.
Mead
This fermented blend of honey, water, berries and spices has been popular with civilizations around the globe since its earliest recorded appearance in China in 7000 B.C. Ancient Persians, believing that mead promoted fertility and desire, required newlyweds to drink the honey wine every day for the first month of marriage (hence, the "honey moon").
In the Middle Ages, people drank mead because they believed it promoted sexual desire — it probably didn't hurt that the alcohol in mead decreased inhibitions and wiped away fears of poor performance. There's no scientific evidence to back up mead's lusty effects, but it is rich in B vitamins, which are necessary for testosterone production. Whether it boosts sexual potency or not, mead is still a widely popular drink, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.
\
This fermented blend of honey, water, berries and spices has been popular with civilizations around the globe since its earliest recorded appearance in China in 7000 B.C. Ancient Persians, believing that mead promoted fertility and desire, required newlyweds to drink the honey wine every day for the first month of marriage (hence, the "honey moon").
In the Middle Ages, people drank mead because they believed it promoted sexual desire — it probably didn't hurt that the alcohol in mead decreased inhibitions and wiped away fears of poor performance. There's no scientific evidence to back up mead's lusty effects, but it is rich in B vitamins, which are necessary for testosterone production. Whether it boosts sexual potency or not, mead is still a widely popular drink, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.
\
Chocolate
The Mayans worshiped the cacao tree and called chocolate the "food of the gods." And legend has it that Aztec leader Montezuma drank 50 cups of melted chocolate a day because he believed it would enhance his sexual abilities.
By now, this sweet treat has become almost synonymous with love — or at least with sex: kinky chocolate gifts like chocolate body paint are always popular in sex shops. Its link with romance and seduction is so ingrained in our culture that it might not even matter if chocolate had no passion-enhancing effects at all.
The good news is that all this lore may have at least a little scientific proof: some research (and legions of chocoholics) suggests that chocolate can improve overall mood and relieve stress. Dark chocolate also contains certain mood-lifting compounds like phenylethylamine, which boost serotonin, and caffeine, which gives you a happy kick. And that may in turn help put you in the mood.
Seductive Scents
Researchers at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago have found that certain scents may increase sexual arousal. The team found that in males, the scents of lavender and pumpkin pie increased blood flow to the penis by 40%. In women, the combination of cucumber and licorice was most effective at sending blood flow southward.
The Mayans worshiped the cacao tree and called chocolate the "food of the gods." And legend has it that Aztec leader Montezuma drank 50 cups of melted chocolate a day because he believed it would enhance his sexual abilities.
By now, this sweet treat has become almost synonymous with love — or at least with sex: kinky chocolate gifts like chocolate body paint are always popular in sex shops. Its link with romance and seduction is so ingrained in our culture that it might not even matter if chocolate had no passion-enhancing effects at all.
The good news is that all this lore may have at least a little scientific proof: some research (and legions of chocoholics) suggests that chocolate can improve overall mood and relieve stress. Dark chocolate also contains certain mood-lifting compounds like phenylethylamine, which boost serotonin, and caffeine, which gives you a happy kick. And that may in turn help put you in the mood.
Researchers at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago have found that certain scents may increase sexual arousal. The team found that in males, the scents of lavender and pumpkin pie increased blood flow to the penis by 40%. In women, the combination of cucumber and licorice was most effective at sending blood flow southward.
No comments:
Post a Comment