Aphrodisiacs: Fact or Fiction?

Since we started to write things down, we hailed magical foods that stimulate the sex drive. These so-called aphrodisiacs create a sexual desire once eaten. But how much of these stories are legends, and how many are real?

The Origin 

In some sense, aphrodisiacs are our first "pharmaceutical products." Before we resolved to pills, we ate magical sex drive enhancing foods. While we cannot pinpoint the exact moment the first aphrodisiac was eaten, we know how old the term is. 

The word aphrodisiac is derived from the Greek goddess Aphrodite - the goddess of beauty, lust, and love. In today's' age of consumerism, we use the term for marketing purposes. Sex sells everything, including food. 

According to Science

Although aphrodisiacs seem like the stuff of legends, science has pinpointed that some meals do affect our sex drive. Californian scientists decided to test some historically prominent passion foods back in 2015.

The legend says that Casanova ate 50 oysters a day, which is the source of his stamina. We don't know what happens if you eat such an amount, but there is some truth in oysters as aphrodisiacs. They are rich in amino acids that stimulate sex hormones.

Oysters have an impact on our sex drive. But the effects are barely noticeable. Eating a hundred oysters in one sitting would instantly bring you in a sexy mood, but sharing an ordinary portion won't have any effects. The same is true with other natural aphrodisiacs.

The Mood 

Sharing a romantic oyster dinner with the significant other will have the same effect as Casanova's 50 pieces. Aphrodisiacs are not supposed to start a chemical reaction. It is all about the intimacy and quality time spent with the partner.

A romantic meal for just the two of you creates the mood, whether you served five oysters or fifty. You could describe aphrodisiacs as a state of mind. It doesn't matter what you eat, but with whom you eat. 

Anaphrodisiacs 

Claiming that what you eat does not matter is an exaggeration. Some foods will define your night, but not how you imagined it. Anaphrodisiacs are the opposites to aphrodisiacs, i.e., foods that put your sex drive to rest. 

Alcohol, for example, can boost your confidence and make you more outgoing, but it works against your sex drive. Too much liquor in a man's body and he will have problems maintaining an erection. Some other proven anaphrodisiacs are sugar, fat, soy, and salt.

Before Preparing the Dinner

Although aphrodisiacs don't start a chemical reaction which awakens lust, they do have the desired effect on our sex life. The changes happen in our minds, not bodies. A romantic dinner puts you in the mood, but because of the person and not the meal. But if you plan on inviting the loved one over for a meal, avoid some foods which kill your sex drive.