We’re all aware that food arouses the senses, but did you know it can also play a part in arousing you in a sexy way? Here are 12 aphrodisiac foods that can help get you, or your partner (or anyone for that matter!), in the mood.
1. Oysters
How could we begin a list of aphrodisiac foods with anything but the most famous erotic food? Oysters are packed with zinc, which is a prime mineral for boosting semen production and regulating sex hormones. Oysters also have sexually suggestive appearance which probably also works in its, or your, favour. The act of eating this stimulating shellfish also has an aphrodisiac effect. Must be all the sucking, slurping sounds …
2. Chilli
Spicy foods have wide-ranging health benefits but it’s chilli’s arousing effect that we’re after here. Chilli helps to increase your blood flow and sparks your nerve endings, giving rise to optimum arousal. Spicy foods also release endorphins which are integral to fuelling sexual pleasure. After eating chilli, it’s probably best not to ‘commence proceedings’ until you’ve washed your hands, as those little red peppers could sting a little bit ‘down there’.
3. Dark chocolate
Apart from those fabled sex scenes in movies where one lover smears chocolate all over the other’s body, chocolate’s main ingredient, cocoa, contains phenylethylamine and anandamide, both chemicals that boost that famous feel-good brain fodder, serotonin.
4. Salmon
This fatty fish is already a well-known source of those most wonderful omega-3 fatty acids, which, in turn, are essential for keeping your sex hormones in tip-top shape. If fish is not your bag, you can always munch on pumpkin seeds, walnuts or flaxseeds for your fill of omega-3s.
5. Pomegranate
There’s just something about pomegranate that inspires passion. It must be something to do with all that juice and the messy process of eating them. Speaking of pomegranate juice though, studies show that it can help to prevent erectile dysfunction, and the fact that these erotic fruits are filled with antioxidants make them good for blood flow and increased genital sensitivity.
6. Pine nuts
Nuts and seeds stimulate libido, but none better that pine nuts. These tiny, tasty seeds (yep, slight misnomer) are full of zinc and have been used by men for centuries to improve their sexual prowess and performance.
7. Avocado
Packed with vitamin E, avocados have a long-standing reputation as an aphrodisiac food. The shape, taste and mouthfeel of avocado may have something to do with it, but it’s more likely that vitamin E’s capacity to help your body pump sex hormones and stimulate sexual responses is the main reason.
8. Watermelon
Another slurpy-sounding food, watermelon, hits the top 10 because it contains citrulline – a phytonutrient that helps to relax blood vessels and improve your circulation. Who needs Viagra?
9. Celery
Celery may not seem sexy at first, but it helps to stimulate your pituitary gland, which is the part of your brain integral to the release of sex hormones. Celery also contains a potent male pheromone called androsterone, which is a less potent form of testosterone.
10. Olive oil
If there was ever a food of the gods, then surely it’s olive oil – loaded with essential fatty acids which, as you’ve already read, supplies your sex organs with nutrients and can also increase testosterone production. Oh, and it has a range of other health benefits too.
11. Spinach
This leafy green is great for weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing compounds. Being rich in magnesium, it also helps to increase blood flow to your nether regions.
12. Red wine
When all else fails, go for a glass of red – and not just to get your partner drunk so you can have your way with them! Red wine is high in antioxidants that can help to trigger nitric oxide production in the blood which then relaxes your artery walls and increases blood flow to your sexy bits.
Do any of these foods get you in the mood? Do you know of any others that do it for you? Why not share your tips with our members?
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