Aphrodisiac Foods That Can Put You "In The Mood" And Why

Aphrodisiac Foods

They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. But are there other positive ways that foods can affect us? Like putting him in a "sexy" mood and "boosting" her libido? There are certain foods that, in past history, were believed to be actual sexual stimulants also known as "Aphrodisiacs" (named after Aphrodite – the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty).

Some Fun Facts About Aphrodisiac Foods:

Aphrodisiac foods were first used as a cure for sexual anxieties such as impotence, inadequate sexual performance and decreased fertility.

During the reign of the Pharoahs, Egyptian priests were forbidden to eat onions because they were thought to inspire sexual temptation. Chocolate was also banned from monasteries at one point for the same reason.

There was a time when women used basil on their bodies to keep their husbands from roaming.

Several cultures insist (even to this day) that foods like bananas, asparagus and carrots are erotic stimulants simply because of their phallic shapes.

In ancient Aztec times, avocadoes were called "ahuacatls" which means "testicles". They forbid their virgin girls to go anywhere near avocados while they were being harvested.

In modern times, the reason that many foods are believed to have sexy "mood-enhancing" qualities is because of the vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals they contain. It's been proven time and again that a healthy person has a more wholesome sex drive, more stamina and a strong, robust reproductive system.

Oysters

The first food that comes to most of our minds when we're talking about Aphrodisiac food are Oysters. Legend has it that Casanova (one of the most famous lovers of all times) ate dozens of them every day. Romans in the second century A.D. validated oysters as an aphrodisiac food (both for men and women). Many thought that oysters resembled female genitalia, which apparently was a "turn-on" in itself. Why is it that the oyster always has and still remains at the top of the "Aphrodisiac Food List"?

There are several reasons. They are loaded with the minerals Zinc and Iron. Zinc has a direct affect on progesterone and testosterone levels, which can produce stronger libidos. It can also affect fertility and virility. In fact, the lack of Zinc in a man's diet can have a direct relationship to impotence. Iron efficiently carries oxygen through the system. In addition, oysters contain Vitamin B12. NOTE: If you're not a fan of raw oysters, they can be grilled or roasted and still give you the same sexual benefits.

Chocolate

The second-most popular aphrodisiac is "Chocolate" and the best type for "sexy" benefits is the "dark" variety. Studies have shown that women release as many endorphins from eating chocolate as they do from sensually kissing a lover. It contains many antioxidants (cancer fighting enzymes) as well as stimulants that can act as mood elevators and increase the desire for physical contact. It also contains a sedative which can lower inhibitions and aid in relaxation. What a powerful combo that is! Why do you think so much of it is sold on Valentine's Day?

Strawberries

These go hand-in-hand with chocolate (some are even covered with it) and can be highly "sensual" to feed to your partner during a romantic interlude. They have been characterized in erotic literature as "fruit nipples" and contain high levels of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants.

Honey

Honey has always been connected with healthy fertility. It was believed to be Aphrodite's nectar and was supposedly given to newlyweds in the form of honeyed beer and honeyed wine. They would drink it for one month (they called it one cycle of the moon) following their wedding day. This was believed to sweeten the marriage and is where the term "Honeymoon" comes from. In Egyptian times, medicines containing honey were used as cures for sterility and impotence.

Nuts

Several varieties of nuts are believed to have aphrodisiac qualities. In Roman times, Walnuts were used to increase fertility and escalate the desire for romance. Pine Nuts were used throughout the Mediterranean as far back as Medieval times to boost the libido. Chinese herbal medicine producers used Ginkgo nuts to stimulate sexual desire (as well as for their high antioxidant levels). Similar to oysters, many nuts are high in Zinc (the ultimate sexual mineral). Almonds have been a sign of fertility for thousands of years. It's believed that the aroma of almonds arouse sexual passion in women. They also contain Vitamin E (which plays a huge part in male sexual health).

Alcohol

This one might be an obvious one for several reasons. Alcohol relaxes the body, lowers inhibitions and heightens one's confidence. It doesn't really have the libido-enhancing qualities one might think but has a huge effect on a person's perception which can be either good or bad. Wine can be especially erotic and relaxing and can stimulate the senses. The key is to not over-indulge. Some of us are guilty of having a bit too much and feeling a little too sexy and waking up the next morning in places and with people we later regret. Okay, enough with the lecture (smile).

And the List Goes On

These are some of the most popular food aphrodisiacs but there are so many more interesting foods that fit into the "Aphrodisiac" category. If you'd like to learn more, I recommend (and own) a fabulous book entitled "The New Inter Courses" (An Aphrodisiac Cookbook) by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge. It's a stunning hard-cover coffee-table book as well as one of the most amazing cookbooks I've ever seen. It contains simple to understand recipes (even if you're not a gourmet cook) and explains how and why each dish should be served up for a "Romantic and Erotic" evening. The illustrations are beautiful enough to frame and display! If you're a cookbook lover this is a must-have for your collection. It makes a unique and beautiful gift as well! Click here to read a sample of some of the recipes this book contains.