Since the beginning of time, people have always been in search of one thing: good sex.
Discussions about sex surrounds us: from magazines, to television and the big screen, the subject is everywhere.
Just glance at the celeb magazines at your local grocery store's checkout counter and you'll notice that almost all of the headlines revolve around the intimate act.
And it makes sense, as sex is an important part of adult life!
It's what connects you romantically to a partner, it's what we talk about with our girlfriends, and it's how we reproduce.
But because we're constantly bombarded with information about sex, we often feel like our sex lives aren't quite living up to the hype.
Chances are your sex life is probably better than you realize. However, if you feel like you and your partner want to spice things up in the bedroom, maybe it's time to try some aphrodisiac foods!
Though many foods are rumored to put you in the mood, which ones actually have the science to back it up? Find out more about which aphrodisiac foods actually work below!
Thumbnail Credit: Envisioning The American Dream / Imgur
What Is An Aphrodisiac?
According to WebMD, an aphrodisiac is a food that increases arousal, desire, or sexual response.
Since the beginning of time, people have always wanted to have better sex, so why not look to food as a solution?
Even the word "aphrodisiac" is rich with history!
The word is derived from the name "Aphrodite," the Greek goddess of love and the mother to Eros (or Cupid), the god of sexual attraction.
Which Foods Are Aphrodisiacs?
Want to get yourself and your partner in the mood on your next date night?
Try some of the 18 aphrodisiac foods below to find out what works for you!
1. Oysters
Oysters are probably the first food that come to mind when most people think about aphrodisiac foods.
A lot of people wonder if oysters can actually increase sex drive, and the truth is they can!
Oysters have a lot of zinc, which increases testosterone production in the body. This in turn is linked to higher sex drive.
They also contain amino acids that increase sex hormone production.
2. Chili Peppers
Hot chilies increase your blood flow. This is why your face turns red and your body gets warm when you eat them.
Chilies contain capsaicin, a chemical that increases circulation and stimulates nerve endings.
They can also stimulate your endorphins, which make you feel great.
The spicier the chili, the more turned on you'll feel!
3. Avocados And Asparagus
Avocados and asparagus are both very high in vitamin E, which is essential for hormone production.
Vitamin E contributes to your body's production of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
All of these hormones increase sexual responses.
4. Chocolate
Chocolate is a naturally sensual food, but have you ever wondered why chocolate feels so sexy?
It's because cocoa contains a stimulating chemical, phenylethylamine, which makes people feel excited and increases an overall feeling of well-being.
These happy feelings put many people in the mood for sex.
Not only that, dark chocolate also increases dopamine, which can induce pleasurable feelings.
5. Bananas
This one might surprise you, but bananas are actually known to intensify orgasms.
All the potassium in bananas can increase muscle — and stronger muscles lead to stronger orgasmic contractions!
The potassium (and the banana's vitamin B) also help increase energy levels.
Bananas also contain the enzyme bromelain, which increases testosterone production.
6. Honey
Honey, in addition to bringing "the birds and the bees" to mind, is an aphrodisiac because of the nutrients it contains.
Honey has boron in it, which regulates hormone levels and boosts energy.
The boron specifically helps to regulate testosterone and estrogen, which are directly related to sex drive.
7. Arugula
This peppery leaf has been considered an aphrodisiac food for thousands of years.
Often, environmental contaminants negatively affects people's libidos.
Arugula contains minerals and antioxidants that help block some of these contaminants, keeping your libido at a healthy level.
8. Watermelon
Watermelon is an aphrodisiac because it can actually help you get more aroused in less time.
This bright pink fruit contains citrulline, which is a phytonutrient that increases the amount of nitric oxide in your body.
The increased nitric oxide makes your blood vessels relax, which increases your circulation and gets your blood flowing.
Additionally, watermelon's lycopene can help relax blood vessels and improve circulation. That means this fruit packs a double whammy when it comes to blood flow.
9. Coffee And Chai Tea
Coffee and tea are known to increase your heart rate and blood flow because of the caffeine they contain.
Coffee and tea are also stimulants, which increase your energy and put you in the mood for sex.
Chai tea is a great option if you don't want to be kept up at night — the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves will still get your blood flowing and increase your energy.
10. Pine Nuts
Like oysters, pine nuts are also high in zinc.
This small savory nut was originally considered an aphrodisiac because of the effort they require to take them from pine cones.
Pine nuts are great when combined with fresh herbs and olive oil, as these foods are also often thought of as aphrodisiacs.
11. Olive Oil
Olive oil is not only a delicious, savory, and healthy oil to use in cooking (or just dipping bread into), it's also an incredible aphrodisiac.
This tasty oil contains a lot of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help with hormone production, blood flow, and heart health.
12. Strawberries
Chocolate-dipped strawberries are one of the most romantic foods out there.
Just think about when you see them most — Valentine's Day (aka the most romantic day of the year).
Strawberries are great to feed to one another, but they're also packed with vitamin C, which keeps blood flowing to your entire body.
13. Artichokes And Pomegranates
Pomegranates, as many people know, are very high in antioxidants.
The antioxidants present in pomegranates protect the blood vessel lining, which allows for better blood flow.
This increased circulation adds to extra genital sensitivity.
Like pomegranates, artichokes are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, which makes them affect the body in similar ways.
14. Cherries
Cherries might strike you as a surprising aphrodisiac, but they have so many vitamins and nutrients that keep your body in tip-top shape and ready for sex.
The vitamins A, C, and E that can be found in cherries make you feel good.
Additionally, the potassium, magnesium, folate, iron, and melatonin also found in cherries will help put you in the mood.
15. Figs
Figs are often related to sexuality and fertility: they're delicious and juicy, plus their nutrients make them scientifically sex-friendly as well.
Figs have a ton of antioxidants, which increase blood flow and circulation, and they also have a lot of potassium, giving them many of the same benefits as bananas.
16. Salmon And Pumpkin Seeds
Salmon is not only a heart-healthy fish, it's also an aphrodisiac!
Salmon and other fish that contain a lot of omega-3 fatty acids are great for your sex drive, because omega-3s help your body produce sex hormones.
Other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids are nuts and seeds, like walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and flaxseeds.
Pumpkin seeds may be even better than other nuts and seeds because they contain a lot of magnesium, which can raise testosterone levels in the blood stream.
17. Red Wine
Alcohol helps relax your nerves, but red wine is even better than other types of alcohol because it contains resveratrol.
Resveratrol is an antioxidant that improves circulation and boosts blood flow, which can help before and during intercourse.
18. Vanilla
Vanilla, one of the most delicious of dessert flavors, is a great ingredient to include at the end of a date night.
It's an aphrodisiac because it mildly stimulates the nerves in your body, which can increase sensation and make sexual encounters feel even more intense.
Eat Some Yummy Aphrodisiacs And Have Fun!
There are a lot of foods that are said to get you in the mood, but each of these aphrodisiac foods work differently for different people.
The most important thing when it comes to aphrodisiac foods is how they work for you!
If you're excited to try some of these foods on your next date night, please SHARE this article with your friends!
