Due to the masses of seeds inside the fruit and its blood red colour, pomegranates are often associated with female fertility. 15 No food is more closely associated with aphrodisiacs than oysters, prized for their supposed virility-boosting powers since the Roman Empire. But what does science have to say? We can see that chocolate has long since been connected with love, romance, and sensuality. But why? Did the Aztecs and Mayans know what it was about cacao that gave them that warm fuzzy feeling? Or were they simply guided by the results they noticed when they drank hot chocolate? In particular, oysters, chocolate, chillis, and champagne remains synonymous with arousal- but is there any evidence to suggest they can improve your love life? Let’s take a look.

Some foods actually can increase sexual arousal, function, or both, said Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, who has a Ph.D. in food science and wrote 150 Food Science Questions Answered. Vitamin A is essential for the production of sex hormones. A higher intake of plant-based vitamin A (carotenoids) is also linked with improved male fertility.Don’t underestimate this flavourful herb as ‘just a garnish’– parsley is an ancient remedy for a lagging libido. It contains high quantities of apigenin, a testosterone-enhancing substance, researchers at Texas Tech University determined through test-tube studies. Apigenin is thought to have this effect by increasing StAR gene expression – StAR is a protein found in the testes and ovaries, and waning levels are linked to a decline in sex hormones as you age. 30. Pomegranate Traditionally, chilli peppers were believed to “inflame” the passions, earning them a reputation as aphrodisiacs. But is there any evidence they can spice up your love life? In fact, it was reportedly eaten three times a day by French grooms in the 19 thcentury before their weddings to help get their sex drive going. When someone eats an oyster thinking it can benefit them in the bedroom, they might see the desired effect. In other words, the ultimate aphrodisiac is the human mind. Sexy by association

According to one particular study, the Pistachio Diet Improves Erectile Function Parameters, pistachios were found to be effective at helping improve blood cholesterol and stimulating blood flow. The placebo effect likely accounts for the reported efficacy of certain aphrodisiac foods, a phenomenon where believing something will work makes it so. Well, cacao also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that’s crucial in the production of serotonin — a neurotransmitter known for its mood-enhancing properties.Food sources: Eggs, milk, cheese, yoghurt, butter, oily fish, meat, margarine, dark leafy greens and yellow-orange fruits. ❤️ B vitamins Is chocolate an aphrodisiac? There’s no denying chocolate’s association with love and romance. From Valentine’s Day chocolate boxes to cacao-rich truffles, caramels, and pralines for an anniversary gift, it’s a go-to for showing your significant other just how much you care. It can even make the ideal apology gift… There is no such thing as a “normal libido”, but if low sex drive affects your quality of life, reach out to your GP. It all depends on the ingredients (and their chemical compounds), the concentration of said ingredients, and dosage. There's limited research on the effectiveness of these substances in increasing libido, however, and the placebo effect — as in you want the food to work so it does — can be strong.