Did you know you can turn to food for better sex? Aphrodisiacs are a real thing, and we are here to give you the scoop on the nosh to improve your nooky.
By Dr. Alia Elias
What do foods like bananas, avocados, and oysters have in common?
For one, they resemble body parts. Secondly (and most importantly), they boost sex drive and performance.
You’ve likely heard of oysters being an aphrodisiac, and dare we say it’s not a coincidence that oysters resemble a woman’s flower?
Open up your mind and your body to take a look at some of the culinary treats you indulge in, and see that the ones mirroring our fave body parts have a highly desirable side effect of turning those body parts on.
Generally speaking, the healthier you eat, and the more you pack your body with nutrient-dense foods containing certain compounds, the more fun you’re going to have in the bedroom.
Think about this: How do you feel after eating a burger and fries? Full and happy maybe, but undoubtedly a far cry from sexy.
So next time you’re ready for some post-noshing nooky, turn to these healthy foods.
Nosh for Nooky
It’s time to dive into Visceral’s fave sexy snacks.
Oysters
Let’s start with my personal fave: oysters. Nothing makes me feel sexier than slurping a raw oyster down my throat. Sharing them is sexy too, although I prefer to eat them on my own and then test out their effects with someone else.
Oysters contain two magical amino acids, D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) as well as a cofactor zinc, that play key roles in the production of testosterone and progesterone. Higher amounts of these hormones really turn on that sexual activity, and you’ll find the levels their highest when you’re consuming the oysters raw.
Asparagus
A rather phallic food with a long shaft (though a little on the thin side, we don’t judge. . . ) asparagus has a longstanding reputation for its sex-enhancing properties.
The benefits of this spring vegetable lie primarily in its role in hormone production. Steroid glycosides and folate found in asparagus play a role in female hormone production as well as the health of sperm. We love anything that can kill two birds with one stone.
Again, quantity is important here so it is advised to eat asparagus straight for three days. We know, we know — what about the stinky urine issue? Trust us, it will be well worth it when you’re reaping the bedroom benefits of this sexy snack.
Avocados
The next sexy food on our list grows in twos hanging from a tree, and was coined “testicle tree” by the Nahuatl Indians. Just when you thought you couldn’t love avocados any more, you learn that this fruit (yes, it is technically a fruit) can do so much more than create the perfect spread for your Instagram feed.
Be ready to eat avocado toast for every meal because avocados are a powerhouse of nutrition containing beta carotene, magnesium and vitamin E, all of which contribute to dilation of blood vessels. And that dilation is integral to your arousal in the bedroom.
Though we aren’t sure how much of the aphrodisiac qualities are due to the testicle shape of the avocado or its nutrient qualities, it’s worth trying.
Avocados also contain more potassium than bananas, which affects muscle function (say “hello” to the actual sex act), proper water balance to help avoid bloated sex (can we get an AMEN?), and cardiovascular function to keep the heart pumping while you are busy pumping.
Walnuts
From the outside, the walnut is a dead ringer for a testicle. But when you open it up and see the heart-shaped seed, this nut appears to be more amorous than sexual.
So while walnuts may be more of a “traditional aphrodisiac” than a “casual” one, whatever way you look at it, these nuts are a powerful driver of sex.
Dating back to ancient Rome, walnuts were viewed as a sign of fertility and it was customary to throw them at the new bride and groom in the hopes it would inspire fruitful copulation. The nut’s most potent aphrodisiac component, zinc, is instrumental in ensuring adequate levels of testosterone in males, as well as maintaining prostate health and preventing erectile dysfunction. Low levels of zinc in men are correlated with sexual dysfunction overall, so make sure you or your guy have walnuts within arms reach at all times. Also, these nuts are a potent blood vessel dilator and stimulator of adrenaline, two processes essential for a successful romp in the sack.
Watermelon
Watermelon is another sensual food known for its Viagra-like function. Let’s pause for a moment to picture it dripping all over your partner’s face . . .
This seedy melon contains a specific phytonutrient called citrulline that has a powerful effect on relaxing blood vessels. The downside is that because citrulline is found primarily in the rind, it is difficult to obtain enough therapeutic benefit from eating the fruit. So you can either opt to snack on the rind or go straight for the juice to receive the erectile benefits.
Hot Peppers
How you feel after eating hot peppers sums up how these vegetables are thought to affect arousal. Capsaicin, the compound in chilis and peppers that give them their fiery kick is stimulating in general to all parts of your body.
When you eat a hot pepper what happens? Your heart races, you perk right up and you feel HOT. Capsaicin increases blood flow, releases endorphins and enhances metabolism. That is the perfect recipe for some seriously good sex, so start popping peppers.
Just be sure to thoroughly wash your hands because skin contact with those peppers can spice things up in places you don’t want it.
Red Wine
Perhaps the most romantic of the aphrodisiacs, red wine is known to increase arousal from the very first whiff.
Certain compounds in red wine also mimic human pheromones, think: musky, earthy, woody (not THAT wood — that will come later).
The topic of scents having arousing abilities is emerging and complex, but we do know that wine possesses similar scents to those that turn us on.
Because alcohol can remove inhibition, it is often an effective initiator of sex, but when taken too far will eventually put sex to a grinding halt.
Because of its depressant nature, wine eventually leads to fatigue and well, drunkeness, which, as we all know from experience, is not conducive to that mind-blowing sex you’re likely craving.
We recommend you head to the nearest grocery store ASAP and get your hands on the above foods so that you can get your hands on your partner in a fun and fiery way. Anything that combines snacks and sex, and makes for a better bang is a winner in our book.
What are your favorite sexy snacks?
Share in the comments below.
Dr. Alia Elias is a GAPS, Gut and Psychology Syndrome, practitioner offering consults in gut healing, intuitive and biological eating and self-worth. She has a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.) and a Masters of Oriental Medicine (M.S.O.M) at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland Oregon. She practices Naturopathic and Integrative medicine as well as acupuncture to heal the body from the inside out. See more at her website: www.draliaselias.com.
