Sep. 05, 2012 - Issue #881: Sex 2012
Heating up in the kitchen
Foods to help kick-start romance
Food and sex can go together in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. Who would have known something as pungent as garlic could be the key to kick-starting romance? If your love life needs a little boost, here's a couple of foods believed to be aphrodisiacs to get you started.Anise
This popular cooking spice has a flavour resembling licorice and has long been thought to be an aphrodisiac, due to its potent aroma and taste, which has been said to increase arousal. Anise contains estrogenic compounds, which can relieve menstrual cramps and have an effect in women that is similar to that of testosterone in men.
Bananas
OK, so linking bananas and sex can conjure up some bad memories from high school health class, but aside from the phallic shape, bananas are chalk-full of potassium, which is said to amp up sex hormones.
Chocolate
Chocolate and sex seem like an obvious pairing, and for good reason. The nutrients and compounds present in chocolate naturally increase feelings of pleasure. Chocolate's natural compounds stimulate dopamine production in the brain, which is scientifically proven to enhance and spark pleasurable sensatons. The Mayans and Aztecs are said to have used chocolate as an aphrodisiac and throughout history the decadent treat has been closely associated with love.
Garlic
It's detrimental to your breath, but does wonders for your sex life. The potent cloves increase circulation and blood flow, a key step in sexual arousal. While it's obviously more effective in large amounts, even hint of garlic in a meal can cause stimulant effects.
Chili peppers
Spicy foods can get your heart racing, but capsaicin, the essential compound responsible for giving peppers their heat, causes an influx of endorphins, resulting in heightened blood circulation and stimulated nerves.
Oysters
The true aphrodisiac qualities of oysters has been heavily debated, but the slippery suckers are full of zinc, which controls progesterone levels and can have a positive effect on libido. Zinc deficiency can cause impotence in men, so eating foods such as oysters can aid in preventing the condition. vueweekly.com comments: powered by Disqus
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