Aphrodisiac Foods To Spice Up Your Life

Around 64% of Americans are currently involved in a sexual relationship  (1), and in this group, only  (2) are satisfied with their current frequency of sex. In some cases, this is the result of sexual dysfunction or chronic illness, though often, everyday issues such as stress, a lack of time, and poor communication skills can stand in the way of satisfaction. Diet can also play a role in libido, and since time immemorial, human beings have always sought to discover aphrodisiac foods that can boost their virility. If you were wondering which foods are scientifically backed in this respect, read on.

Ginseng And Saffron

Research undertaken at the University of Guelph  (3) has shown that both ginseng and saffron can boost sexual performance. For their study, deemed "the most thorough scientific study to date," scientists examined hundreds of studies on commonly used aphrodisiacs to investigate claims of their ability to enhance sexuality psychologically and physiologically. They found that panax ginseng, saffron, and an additional natural substance called yohimbine (found in yohimbe trees in West Africa) did have a positive effect on human sexual function. 

Cantharidin From The Spanish Fly

The Spanish fly excretes a libido booster called cantharidin  (4) - a libido booster said to induce desire, promote fertility, and battle erectile dysfunction. The insect is actually a beetle that sports a beautiful emerald hue. Raw cantharidin from this insect cannot actually be ingested, since it is toxic. The version that was once sold as a libido booster was used in spices, soups and jams in Asia and North Africa. A study by DJ Karras et al  (5) found that cantharidin can result in poisoning. Therefore, despite its potentially positive effect on virility, this substance is actually hard to find, and most products claiming to contain it are actually made of safe ingredients such as panax ginseng.

Foods That Can Be Indirectly Helpful

The University of Guelph study mentioned above is exhaustive in terms of foods proven to have a direct effect on libido. However, there are many foods that can help indirectly  (6). Some foods, for instance, behave similarly to Viagra, relaxing blood vessels and thereby improving blood flow to genitals. These include pumpkins, walnuts and beef (which contain a key amino acid: L-arginine), foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (such as wild salmon, walnuts and cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil), and quercetin (sourced from dark chocolate, garlic, berries, red wine, grapes and apples).

Medications like Viagra and Cialis have been embraced by many people seeking to give their libido a helping hand. However, these medications can have various side-effects, including muscle pain and headache, and they can be incompatible with other medications. A large-scale study on commonly used aphrodisiacs shows that scientifically backed foods include panax ginseng and saffron, and do indeed improve sexual function. Others, like the Spanish fly, can be toxic and are not available today. Consuming foods that are rich in L-arginine, Omega-3s and quercetin can also help indirectly by improving circulation to the sexual organs.