“Magnificent Seven” of Aphrodisiac Foods for romantic mood
Aphrodisiac is about belief: you might believe in it or might not, but it will not hurt to try.
Oysters have been considered the most notable aphrodisiac for ages, but only recently it was found that they are rich in zinc and amino acids that trigger production of sex hormones. Oysters are our best-known food source of zinc, an essential mineral for mental health, immune function, and fertility: 100g of oysters contains 16.6mg, or 111% of Daily Value. Their impressive zinc content is the reason for oysters’ reputation as an aphrodisiac (which, unfortunately, is probably a myth, but it can’t hurt to try!).
Besides being an excellent source of riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, flavonoids and alkaloids (such as theobromine, phenethylamine and caffeine), chocolate has also been shown to cause a spike in dopamine, which induces feelings of pleasure. From its taste to its aroma, chocolate is sensual and sexual, that’s why on Valentine’s Day chocolate reigns supreme.
Although, honey is associated with love and sex in both the Bible and the Karma Sutra, there are no scientific facts linking together honey and sexuality. But then again, some questions arise. Why at traditional Indian weddings, the groom is often offered honey to boost his stamina? Why an alcoholic beverage made from honey and named mead is given to the happy bride and groom in many cultures? Where the “honeymoon” got its name from? Hippocrates prescribed honey for sexual vigour. According to an old French wives’ tale, a bee sting was supposedly like being given a shot of pure aphrodisiac. Also, honey is made through pollination and is a symbol of procreation. Maybe there is some truth in it? Maybe due to honey contains boron? Although, the exact physiological role of boron in the animal kingdom is poorly understood, it is suggested that boron helps regulate estrogen and testosterone levels and provides a natural energy boost. Anyway, it won’t hurt to try! And try the most potent types of honey from bees that gather nectar from aphrodisiac flowers such as jasmine, orchids or marjoram – reputedly the favourites of Aphrodite (smile).
The word Avocado comes from an Aztec word “ahuácatl” meaning testicle. Legend says that it could be due to the avocado’s shape or the fact that it was considered to possess aphrodisiac qualities by the Aztecs. When Montezuma II shared avocados with Hernán Cortés and his fellow conquistadors, the Aztecs explained that the fruit had a great ability to incite sexual passion. The Aztecs believed in the aphrodisiac power of the ahucatl so much that they would not allow virginal women to leave the house while they were being harvested. When Louis XIV found his aging libido in need of reviving, he turned to the exotic avocado for help, nicknaming the fruit la bonne poire (the good pear).
Avocado is a health treasure chest. Its buttery, nutty flesh is rich in all good things including zinc that plays a key-role in testosterone production – hormone responsible for sexual desire. Avocado contains 0.65mg/100g of zinc which is 7% of Daily Value. The fruit’s decent levels of vitamin E could help keep the spark alive because of its role in maintaining “youthful vigour and energy level.”
One can hardly count the number of scientific studies on coffee. Recently more good things have been discovered about this drink loved by many. One of them is that coffee could put women in the mood for sex, actually, the scent was found to be a key-player. The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant that ups the heart rate and makes the blood flow, while alkaloids can help to maintain sexual performance and increase stamina. A word of caution: coffee recently marketed to enhance your sex life may in fact be dangerous to your health.
Before going to the point we’d like to say a few words about how erection happens. When a man gets sexually stimulated, the nervous system releases nitric oxide that stimulates a chain reaction causing the arteries in the penis to get wider, allowing the blood to flow into the penis more easily. The erectile tissue itself fills with blood, and both of these processes result in an erection. VIAGRA works for men with erectile dysfunction by “injecting” nitric oxide thus, increasing blood flow to the penis so they can get and keep an erection hard enough for sex.
A newly found natural aphrodisiac, watermelon works by relaxing blood vessels, improving blood circulation in the genitals, just like Viagra but without many side effects associated with the drug. In its content, watermelon has two amino acids – lycopene and citrulline – that play key-roles in the process. Kidneys convert citrulline into arginine that will then convert into nitric oxide. This means supplementation with citrulline is a solid way to increase nitric oxide levels naturally. Watermelon’s diuretic properties can also help keep your urinary tract in healthy working order. Lycopene is an antioxidant that could possibly help ward off prostate cancer.
Artichoke is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, which are critical to proper body function and blood flow. Tough on the outside and soft on the inside, artichokes are well versed in the game of hard-to-get, but their history as an aphrodisiac is mostly due to mythology and the intimacy of eating it with another, pulling off the leaves to reach the center.
Greek mythology holds Zeus (King of Gods) responsible for the creation of the artichoke – botanical name Cynara cardunculus. Zeus fell in love with a beautiful young mortal woman called Cynara and wanted to make her a goddess. But her behavior was not goddess-like and furious Zeus turned her into spectacular flower and at the same time a thorny and difficult thistle – as stunning as she but untouchable. Whether or not you believe in the romantic power of the artichoke, to include it into your diet is a great idea.
