Aphrodisiac Foods, Fact and Folklore

Do aphrodisiac foods work?

Aphrodisiac foods mostly do not work in the way the stories suggest. There is very little good scientific evidence that any particular food directly increases desire, and the effects people report are usually better explained by mood, expectation and the pleasure of a nice meal. The word itself comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, which tells you how long people have been hoping for a shortcut.

That does not make the subject any less fun. Plenty of these foods are delicious, and some have a real place in a healthy diet. It is just worth knowing the difference between the legend and the evidence.

Why so many foods got the reputation

Many foods earned their reputation by looking suggestive. Long before modern science, people believed that a food's shape hinted at what it could do for the body. That helps to explain the old beliefs about asparagus, figs, bananas and rhino horn, the last of which has done terrible harm to wildlife and does nothing at all.

Rarity also played a part. Spices, oysters and imported sweets were expensive, and anything costly tends to attract stories. Then there is the simple fact that a person who feels well fed, warm and cared for tends to be in a better mood. That general truth has been credited to whichever ingredient happened to be on the plate.

Oysters, chocolate, chilli and honey

Oysters are the classic example, helped along by tales of Casanova eating them by the dozen. They do contain a great deal of zinc, and zinc plays a part in making testosterone. Being short of zinc can cause problems, but most people in the UK get enough, and eating extra is not known to increase desire. Enjoy oysters because you like them, and be aware that raw shellfish carries a risk of food poisoning.

Chocolate has been tied to romance since the Aztec court, and it does contain small amounts of compounds such as phenylethylamine and theobromine that sound impressive. The amounts are tiny, though, and studies have not found that chocolate eaters report greater desire once other factors are taken into account. What it does do is taste wonderful and feel like a treat, and sharing a good dessert is reason enough.

Chilli raises your heart rate, makes you warmer and may bring a slight flush to your skin, all of which are a bit like the physical signs of excitement. That is probably why it got its reputation. It has no proven effect on desire, but a lively meal can be fun if you both like heat. Very spicy food late at night is not likely to help anyone's evening, however.

Honey is the source of many a folk tale, and some say the word honeymoon draws on an old custom of drinking mead after a wedding. Historians doubt that story. Vanilla, ginger and cinnamon all have similar traditions behind them. Saffron has been the subject of a few small studies with some interesting results, although they are nowhere near enough to draw firm conclusions.

Herbal supplements: be careful

This is the point where the fun stops and some caution is needed. Ginseng, maca, fenugreek and tribulus are all widely sold for libido, and a few small studies hint at possible effects, but the evidence is limited and of mixed quality. Herbal products can also interact with other medicines, so speak to a pharmacist or your GP before taking them, especially if you have a health condition or take regular medication.

Some products are risky. Yohimbe has been linked to serious side effects, including problems with blood pressure and heart rhythm. Spanish fly, a very old remedy made from blister beetles, is poisonous and can be fatal. The MHRA, which regulates medicines in the UK, has repeatedly warned about so called herbal sexual enhancers sold online, because some have been found to contain undeclared prescription drugs. Natural on the label does not mean safe.

Alcohol, the great misunderstanding

Alcohol is probably the most popular aphrodisiac of all, and it is a poor one. A drink may lower your inhibitions and help you feel relaxed, but too much tends to dull sensation and can cause erection problems. It also gets in the way of good judgement and clear consent. Someone who is very drunk is not able to give meaningful consent. Shakespeare's porter in Macbeth makes much the same point, that drink stirs up the desire and spoils the performance, and he was on to something.

What actually helps

The things that truly support desire and a healthy sex life are less exotic. Good sleep, regular activity, a balanced diet, moderate drinking, not smoking and lower stress all make a difference, and so does feeling close to and comfortable with the person you are with. Many sexual problems are linked to tiredness, stress, relationship worries, hormones or medicines, and each of those can often be helped.

So if your interest in sex has changed and it is bothering you, see your GP instead of hunting down a miracle ingredient. A lasting loss of desire can have a simple medical cause, and it is an ordinary thing to bring up.

In the meantime, enjoy the romance of food for what it is. Cook something together, or book a lovely table. Our guide to first date tips has more ideas, and our page on dinner dates explains how an evening out with an escort works. For more on what really builds closeness, read our guide to intimacy and its types.