With our busy and stressful lives, it can be hard to get both our partners and ourselves in a romantic mood and get started in the family way. Thankfully, since the way to a man’s heart is mostly through his stomach, getting him in the mood for love can be easier than we think! With time-tested and popular food (many commonly found in your kitchen), there’s an affordable and proven way to charge up both his and your libido and ignite the passion.
Table of Contents
Asparagus
Its suggestive phallic shape is not the only reason for Asparagus to prove its mettle as a prized aphrodisiac. Research has found that this vegetable contains high amounts of asparagines – an amino acid that increases circulation in the genito-urinary system that can result in sexual stimulation. It also promotes endurance, stamina and energy, enhancing the desire for lovemaking.
Avocado
The avocado tree was named Ahuacuatl, which means ‘testicle tree’ by the ancient Aztecs, as they likened the fruit hanging in pairs on the trees to male testicles. Looking like the male body part aside, avocado is also high in folic acid, which helps metabolise proteins, thus giving you more energy. It also contains vitamin B6 (a nutrient that increases male hormone production) and potassium (which helps regulate a woman’s thyroid gland), two elements that help increase libido in both men and women.
Chili
Chili can fire you up in more ways than one. They contain the chemical capsaicin that can increase your heart rate, dilate the blood vessels and induce the release of endorphins to create a temporary high. Capsaicin also speeds up the metabolism, increases circulation and makes you feel good – responses that are similar to those experienced when having sex. But be careful not to take too much though. Chilis can add some zing to your sex life but also cause severe burns when eaten in excess.
Garlic
It is known as the mother of all aphrodisiacs for centuries and was believed to have magical and therapeutic properties. If you can get past the odour, garlic has much to offer. Basically it works by increasing your blood circulation, especially to parts where you need it the most. Medical researchers have found a particular enzyme in garlic called nitric oxide synthase (NOS) to be primarily responsible for the mechanism of erection.
Ginger
Ginger is truly a wonder spice as it contains gingerols, zingiberene and other properties. For centuries it has been recognised as an aphrodisiac for its ability to stimulate the circulatory system. It is even mentioned in the Kama Sutra under “aphrodisiacs, herbs, and spells” to maintain success in love. Its scent is commonly identified as a sexual stimulant, thought to activate the erogenous zones. Ginger can be eaten raw, cooked or crystallised.
Celery
Bet you didn’t know this. Celery contains an arousing male hormone called Androsterone, which is released through male perspiration. It is said that it releases more pheromone benefits than any other male spray out there. With it, you not only will look your best for the part but also smell nice too. Besides having many nutrients for energy, celery can also stimulate the pituitary gland, the one that releases sexual hormones. It is also packed with fibre, iron, vitamins A, B, and C, zinc, and potassium; a winning formula for improved sexual stamina. Now we know why the famed Italian lover Casanova made sure to include lots of celery in his diet.
Tomatoes
It was once linked to the Garden of Eden with some even calling it the ‘other’ forbidden fruit during ancient times. But when the myth quickly dispelled once the French and Italians discovered the succulence of the ripe fruit’s flesh, the tomatoes quickly elevated its status and was soon became known as ‘love apple’. Now, the tomato has become the perfect symbol of aphrodisiac food for its slut-red colour, tangy flesh and sweet taste. But there’s more to the tomato than just looks. It contains lycopene, a key ingredient that benefits your virility and prostate health.
Honey
Honey has long been considered an aphrodisiac as far back as the 500 B.C. Its use was even mentioned in both Kama Sutra and The Perfumed Garden. Did you know that the term ‘honeymoon’ stems from an ancient tradition where couples are placed in seclusion and insisted to drink a honey concoction until the first new moon of their marriage? Honey contains several B vitamins which are required for testosterone production. It is also supplemented with vital enzymes and amino acids to boost energy and stamina. Honey is also rich in boron, a trace mineral that assists the body in using and metabolising the female sexual hormone, estrogen, and enhance testosterone levels in the blood. Most important, honey produces nitric oxide, which opens up blood vessels, aiding blood flow to the entire body, especially to erogenous zones.
Watermelon
You may have eaten it for its sweet taste and high water content but did you know that this fruit contains an ingredient called citrulline which reacts with other enzymes to trigger the body’s release of a chemical called arginine? And arginine, according to scientists at Texas A&M University, has the same blood flow benefits as the wildly popular erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, and may even increase libido. So remember to keep watermelon handy not only during hot weathers.
Raw Oysters
The list would not be complete without raw oysters with its long-standing reputation as love enhancers. The Romans kept the oysters on top of their list as a prized aphrodisiac while legend has it that the great lover, Casanova, downs 50 raw oysters for breakfast. One reason is the incredible high content of zinc in oysters which is necessary to counter impotence in men and sperm production. Research also shows that raw oysters are high in D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate, which can increase the testosterone levels in men, and also dopamine, a hormone known to increase libido. Whenever oysters are not available, prawns, mussels, and scallops are good replacements as they are packed with zinc too. Some men also say the manner women eat oysters bring into play many wild connotations in their minds. Be warned that too much zinc in the diet can be toxic.
Pumpkin Seeds
If you’re turned off by the slimy raw oysters, or even seafood, pumpkin seeds are another great choice. Besides being high in zinc, they are also filled with omega-3 fatty acids, a crucial component that clears your arteries and capillaries for blood to reach all the vitals parts of your body when you need them to function at their optimum. However, beware of additives and artificial colourants.
Chocolate
Aaah… the magic of chocolate. It has been reported that many women have claimed that it is as good as, or even better than, sex. Still, whatever gets a woman in the mood, will definitely have a great effect on the man as well.So, what makes chocolate the perennial favourite for lovers? A major attraction, from a scientific stand point, could be due to its high content of Phenylethylamine (PEA) and serotonin, two chemicals that are responsible to light up pleasure areas in the brain, and make you simply feel good. It isn’t merely coincidence then, that PEA is the same feel-good chemical that the body produces during the first moments of falling in love.
The Best Dates To Conceive
