Sometimes it is hard to pinpoint what happened that put you in a bedroom frame of mind. Other times, it is impossible to miss. Because everyone is slightly different not only at an individual chemical level but also, and more importantly, in our life experiences, we are all turned on by different things.
What turns me on is not going to be what gets you in the mood and what makes you feel sexy won’t have the same effect on your best friend. While the smell of apples may make one person think of a romantic afternoon in an orchard it can make someone else think of their great-aunt’s horrible apple sausage and peanut casserole and the mood is lost.
Throughout life we develop memories that we will always associate with certain smells, textures and even tastes. Unless you happen to share an intimate memory, it is difficult to use something like that to trigger a romantic mood in your partner. So, what’s a girl to do when trying to romance a new partner they may still be getting to know or rekindle an old flame? Why not go with the tried-and-true romantic dinner with a little help from science to make it sizzle?
The Science Behind Aphrodisiacs
The concept of aphrodisiacs is almost as old as mankind. Many ancient cultures had foods they felt were more likely to promote sexual prowess and fertility. The word aphrodisiac is derived from Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love’s name. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) says there is no such thing as an aphrodisiac. I beg to differ but I agree with them that you shouldn’t go around trying dangerous things like Spanish fly just to get your libido pumping.
In times past, more people were malnourished. This meant that adding nutrients to your diet could really make a difference to your body chemistry. Now, this is less likely to be the case but there are still lots of benefits to be derived from these nutrient rich foods. Remember, feeling sexy is a mental state and there’s a lot to be said for the placebo effect. If eating something makes you feel sexier then you will be more receptive to your partner’s advances and that means it worked, regardless of what the FDA may think.
10 Foods to Put You in the Mood:
In no particular order, here are ten foods and the science behind them that can make you and your partner feel good in all the right places.
1. Garlic
You may need to indulge in some breath mints after eating it but garlic is a great addition to an aphrodisiac meal. It is high in allicin which regulates blood flow to the sex organs. Garlic can lead to an increased libido and decreased fatigue when taken on a regular basis.
2. Arugula
This peppery green is called “rocket” in Britain. It’s great mixed in salads. It was very popular among ancient Greeks and Romans and was associated with Priapus, a minor Roman fertility god. It is rich in vitamins A and C which are supposed to increase strength of orgasm.
3. Asparagus
This is one of those foods that not only does it in the nutrient department but also has a phallic shape going for it too. In the 1800s in France, grooms were served three servings of asparagus before their wedding night. Asparagus is rich in potassium, thiamine, folic acid, and vitamins A and C. Potassium is known to increases production of sex hormones and vitamins A and C are linked to increased strength in orgasms. Sounds like a good way to start a marriage.
4. Bananas
This is another food with a suggestive shape. Regular consumption of bananas leads to increased energy levels and decreased blood pressure levels. This is good news since high blood pressure can lead to erectile dysfunction. Bananas are high in potassium and B vitamins both of which are associated with increased sex hormone production.
5. Chili Peppers
Spicy foods do more than make your mouth burn. They cause your body to release endorphins, which make you feel good. Chili peppers are also high in capsaicin which causes your pulse rate to rise and an increase in nerve stimulation. It also raises your body temperature and doesn’t that make you want to take some clothes off?
6. Caviar
It’s expensive and, when someone feels your worth dropping a small fortune on, it always makes you feel good. But, caviar has more going for it than just its romantic connotations and price tag. Caviar is very high in zinc which stimulates testosterone production in men and women. Testosterone is responsible for making you feel randy and improving sperm production.
7. Red Wine
Good wine makes any meal better but red wine has the added benefit of increasing your libido. Italian scientists claim it can improve sex drive when consumed regularly in moderation. The latter is key. While a bit of alcohol is great at reducing inhibitions, too much will put a premature end to your romantic evening.
8. Chocolate
Chocolate and romance tend to go hand in hand. You can dip fruit in it, consume it on its own or buy a set of body paints made of chocolate if that’s what you like. Beyond the many fun activities you can engage in while eating chocolate though is its chemical benefits.
Chocolate consumption increases your body’s endorphin and serotonin levels, making you feel euphoric. It contains phenyethylamine which is a stimulant too. The Aztec emperor Montezuma reportedly drank as much as fifty mugs of chocolate a day in an effort to improve his sexual prowess.
9. Oysters
They supposedly look like female sexual organs. I’m hoping that isn’t totally true. For those who think raw oysters are disgusting, they still have all their potency if you cook them. Oysters are super high in zinc, just like caviar. This boosts testosterone production and increases your sexual libido. According to literature, Casanova ate fifty raw oysters for breakfast every day.
10. Honey
Once known as Aphrodite’s nectar, honey has long been associated with romance. Newlyweds used to consume honey mead (an alcoholic drink made from honey) for a month after the wedding to increase sexual desire and fertility. This is where the term “honeymoon” comes from.
Honey is high in boron which increases the body’s ability to produce and metabolize estrogen, the female sex hormone. It has also been linked to increased production of testosterone. There are also lots of B vitamins in honey which also increase testosterone production. All this means an increases in libido and orgasms.
The FDA may claim there is no such thing as an aphrodisiac but apparently no one has ever made them a romantic meal that was so obviously designed to turn them on. Feeling sexy and being in the mood are mental states. Eating foods associated with increasing your libido is bound to make you feel sexier. There’s even science to support it. Besides, think of all the fun you can have exploring libido increasing foods together.
Cover photo: www.standardmarket.com
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