If you’re planning a home-cooked meal or dinner out — heck, if you’re eating today, full stop — it’s a good idea to use food that will put you in the mood for luurve.
Aphrodisiac foods are nature’s gifts to the romantically inclined because they are said to increase sexual desire.
Scientific evidence is hard to come by, with some experts theorising that the effect is mostly placebo or spurred on by the food’s physical appearance (not sure how the sight of garlic can get you going but each to their own).
However, certain foods have mood-boosting qualities that can’t be argued with.
KarryOn shares our top 5
Chilli
Yes, it heats you up physically and, yes, it can make your heart race if you have a particularly hot serving of the stuff, but did you know chilli also stimulates endorphins, which make you feel good?
Pomegranate
A study conducted by the Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh found that drinking pomegranate juice for two weeks led to a sharp increase in testosterone, which increases sexual desire. Pomegranate’s aphrodisiac powers are so potent that it’s earned the moniker “nature’s Viagra”.
Dark Chocolate
Chocolate contains two chemicals that are said to enhance sexual desire.
Tryptophan urges the production of serotonin, which increases sexual desire, while phenylethylamine is a stimulant that’s also released when you fall in love. Cute!
Always choose raw dark chocolate for its higher levels of antioxidants and cacao, and pick an almond version if you can — the nut is a rich source of Omega-3 fats, which increase testosterone levels.
Oysters
They’re an iconic aphrodisiac because they were one of the first foods to have a scientifically proven effect on sexual desire.
Scientists from America and Italy discovered that the molluscs increase testosterone in men and progesterone in women. Clever things.
Garlic
Garlic breath aside, this is one of the “sexiest” foods you can eat because it’s high in allicin.
Allicin is a chemical compound that increases blood flow in a big way, which in turn increases energy and enhances stamina.
