Review Wednesday: Aphrodisiacs
I wondered if this should be a topic for sex myths because I have never known how or why aphrodisiac foods work. Then I thought, why shouldn't they be real? Very unique things are known to bring diverse people excitement from flip flops to balloons...so why wouldn't certain foods be able to do the trick? Also, I know the placebo effect to be a very real phenomenon. So even if we can't find the 'why' behind an aphrodisiac's success to have its basis in biology almost anything is possible if you believe it to be.
The word aphrodisiac comes from the Greek goddess Aphrodite who governed sexuality and love. Throughout history and the rise and fall of many cultures folklore has always existed pertaining to sexuality and aphrodisiacs certainly are a part of ours....
Oysters:
A favorite of romantic comedies... Oysters' reason for being the most iconic aphrodisiac is two-fold. One, they contain a lot of zinc! In women zinc controls progesterone levels, a hormone in women known to have positive effects on libido. In men a zinc deficiency can be the cause of impotence.
Oysters have also been said to resemble vaginas.
What do you think?
Different food items that have also been named as aphrodisiacs usually contain a sexually suggestive component. Foods that have the ability to remind us of sex such as eggs and carrots have been labeled as aphrodisiacs in some areas of the world.
Speaking of suggestive...
Nuts:
Nuts were a critical ingredient in the love lives of ancient Europeans. Romans thought that walnuts improved fertility while those residing on the Mediteranian thought pine nuts capable of the same thing. Cola nuts were also falsely accused this as well in Madagascar. Omega-3 fatty acids can keep sex hormone production at its peak so these nuts along with sea food are helpful to increase libido. Perhaps this is why Italians earned their reputation for being good lovers.
Cola nuts contain caffeine which can stimulate the brain and body into feeling more awake but not necessarily anything more. Coffee is an aphrodisiac an many traditions likely for the same reason. Almonds have been used in many beauty products for women due to their pleasant smell. Some nuts do contain zinc so will have the same effects on the hormones as oysters do.
The real aphrodisiac nut is ginkgo. Used in herbal medicine for a variety of purposes ginkgo has the ability to improve blood flow. They are also a powerful antioxidant that can improve the health of a sedentary individual. Any of the known "super fruits" that are high in antioxidants will invigorate the body by supporting blood flow!
Chocolate:
A favorite food of women that in a recent poll won as more desired than sex. Chocolate has always been associated with romance. It contains caffeine - a chemical many easily mistake for an aphrodisiac. It was recently discovered to effect the endorphin phenylethylamine but has yet to be proven to have a significant effect on the brain when eaten. Scientists are still trying to figure out the hormonal link between women and their cravings for chocolate.
Celery:
When I think of sexy foods the last thing I think of is celery. Its crunchy and has weird strings! However, it also contains androsterone: a hormone in males that induces arousal in females. Whether or not celery can have an effect on women (or men) physically when eaten has yet to be found out for sure.
Chiles:
The chemical in spicy foods that make them hot is capsaicin. This can increase blood flow and wake you up. It has also been known to increase metabolism.
Vitamin E:
Foods rich in vitamin E such as avocado and asparagus while helping you keep a flawless complexion will also support your body's ability to keep producing testosterone and estrogen - essential to one's desire for sex!
The word aphrodisiac comes from the Greek goddess Aphrodite who governed sexuality and love. Throughout history and the rise and fall of many cultures folklore has always existed pertaining to sexuality and aphrodisiacs certainly are a part of ours....
Oysters:
A favorite of romantic comedies... Oysters' reason for being the most iconic aphrodisiac is two-fold. One, they contain a lot of zinc! In women zinc controls progesterone levels, a hormone in women known to have positive effects on libido. In men a zinc deficiency can be the cause of impotence.
Oysters have also been said to resemble vaginas.
What do you think?
Different food items that have also been named as aphrodisiacs usually contain a sexually suggestive component. Foods that have the ability to remind us of sex such as eggs and carrots have been labeled as aphrodisiacs in some areas of the world.
Speaking of suggestive...
Nuts:
Nuts were a critical ingredient in the love lives of ancient Europeans. Romans thought that walnuts improved fertility while those residing on the Mediteranian thought pine nuts capable of the same thing. Cola nuts were also falsely accused this as well in Madagascar. Omega-3 fatty acids can keep sex hormone production at its peak so these nuts along with sea food are helpful to increase libido. Perhaps this is why Italians earned their reputation for being good lovers.
Cola nuts contain caffeine which can stimulate the brain and body into feeling more awake but not necessarily anything more. Coffee is an aphrodisiac an many traditions likely for the same reason. Almonds have been used in many beauty products for women due to their pleasant smell. Some nuts do contain zinc so will have the same effects on the hormones as oysters do.
The real aphrodisiac nut is ginkgo. Used in herbal medicine for a variety of purposes ginkgo has the ability to improve blood flow. They are also a powerful antioxidant that can improve the health of a sedentary individual. Any of the known "super fruits" that are high in antioxidants will invigorate the body by supporting blood flow!
Chocolate:
A favorite food of women that in a recent poll won as more desired than sex. Chocolate has always been associated with romance. It contains caffeine - a chemical many easily mistake for an aphrodisiac. It was recently discovered to effect the endorphin phenylethylamine but has yet to be proven to have a significant effect on the brain when eaten. Scientists are still trying to figure out the hormonal link between women and their cravings for chocolate.
Celery:
When I think of sexy foods the last thing I think of is celery. Its crunchy and has weird strings! However, it also contains androsterone: a hormone in males that induces arousal in females. Whether or not celery can have an effect on women (or men) physically when eaten has yet to be found out for sure.
Chiles:
The chemical in spicy foods that make them hot is capsaicin. This can increase blood flow and wake you up. It has also been known to increase metabolism.
Vitamin E:
Foods rich in vitamin E such as avocado and asparagus while helping you keep a flawless complexion will also support your body's ability to keep producing testosterone and estrogen - essential to one's desire for sex!
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