What do oysters, bananas and chillies have in common?
Besides being healthy, all three are believed to have aphrodisiac qualities – they can turn you on.
You may have heard the word aphrodisiac, which is something that can turn you on and make you want sex. Some say there are certain foods that are aphrodisiacs, but is this really the case?
Scientific research says that food can’t suddenly make you want to have sex but there are certain foods that can help put you in the mood.
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As respected health website WebMD.com puts it, “No food has been scientifically proven to stimulate the human sex organs. But foods and the act of eating can suggest sex to the mind, which in turn can help stimulate desire in the body.
”We look at a few that are regularly referred to as aphrodisiacs.
CHOCOLATE
This sweet treat, often given as a romantic gesture of love, can actually make you feel very good and put you in the mood for sex. Chocolate contains a chemical called phenylethylamine, which causes your blood pressure to increase. The chemical is sometimes called the “love drug” because it makes your pulse race.
Eating chocolate also releases endorphins in your brain, which give you a feeling of happiness.
STRAWBERRIES
Chocolate dipped in strawberries is something you often see in romantic movies when the guy tries to seduce the girl.
It could be because of this that strawberries are considered an aphrodisiac. But it could also be because this little red berry contains heaps of vitamin C.
Vitamin C helps blood flow through the body. Blood flow, of course, is important when you’re aroused as it floods to your private parts and gets you ready for intercourse.
CHILLIES
This hot and spicy food has the same effect on a body as having sex. It causes your temperature to rise, your heart rate to increase and stimulates your nerves, especially in the tongue area. It also releases endorphins in the body, which are feel-good hormones that can put you in the right mood for some action between the sheets.
But don’t eat too many –you will end up hot, sweaty and uncomfortable.
BANANAS
The bright-yellow fruit is not on the list just because it’s shaped like a penis. Instead, it is considered anaphrodisiac because of the vitamins and minerals it contains.
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Bananas contain an enzyme called bromelain, which boosts the level of the hormone testosterone. Higher testosterone levels in men and women can increase libido. The vitamin B and potassium in bananas can also increase energy levels, which is a bonus in the bedroom.
WATERMELON
This summer fruit is red because of something called lycopene. It is good for your body in many ways because it improves blood circulation.
ASPARAGUS
This vegetable is believed to be anaphrodisiac because it contains similar vitamins and minerals as bananas.
OYSTERS
This mollusc has long been considered romantic. This could be because oysters contain high levels of zinc, which can increase the production of sperm.
