Aphrodisiacs

Does the smell of certain foods turn you on? Apparently, that’s not just because you’re a big-time foodie. Alan R. Hirsch, MD, the neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, ran a study that found that the smell of buttered popcorn increased blood flow to the penis by 9%. Huh. Movie night?

Sometimes the best offense is a good defense. Arugula, which has tabbed as an aphrodisiac in the first century, is loaded with antioxidants that block a lot of environmental contaminants that are deemed to impact your libido. These peppery greens are easy to fit into your diet as they pair well with steak.

Since childhood, asparagus has been one of the evil, tasteless greens that many have tried to avoid. However, in adulthood, it could be your friend. It’s packed with vitamin E, which has a part in the stimulation of sex hormones in both sexes.

Although you wouldn’t peg these as foods that arouse men, Dr. Hirsch’s study found these were the biggest hits. The scent of these (individually) led to a 40% increase in blood flow to the penis. Time to get your girlfriend some lavender body wash. And tell her about your passion for pumpkin pie.

The shape of the fruit alone is a good enough aphrodisiac for some, but did you know that it in fact has properties that stimulate your sex drive? Not only does it have plenty of potassium and vitamin B, both of which are key cogs in the production of sex hormones, it also has the bromelain enzyme, which is said to spark male libido and combat impotence.

Oysters are one of the most well-known aphrodisiacs and, in case you’re wondering, it’s not an old wives' tale. A study showed that these shellfish are rich in a rare amino acid (D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate) that stimulates your libido. Looks like buck-a-shuck joints are a great for date night.

The world’s most expensive spice is just what you need to spice things up in the bedroom. Studies have shown that both men and women see the benefits. For females, research shows they get a lift in libido, arousal and lubrication. For men, it helped with erectile function. Paella anyone?

Vanilla has long been considered an aphrodisiac, dating back to the time of the Aztecs. Moving up to modern times, we’ve seen some research done over the last couple of centuries that shows that vanilla helps stimulate sexual propensities and also the scent alone helps in the arousal of men.

Bet you didn’t think that watermelon had some Viagra-like qualities to it, did you? A study on watermelon showed that it’s high in a nutrient called citrulline, which helps improve blood flow in the body. The difference is that Viagra is for a more targeted area, whereas watermelon is more general -- but it still helps.

Getting yourself in the right state of mind is half the battle. The good news is chilies can assist you with the. Eat some heat and you’ll start to feel like you’re turned on. The spice in peppers quickens the pulse, induces sweating and releases endorphins, mimicking what happens when you’re sexually aroused.

Arousal is all about blood flow. In that regard, pomegranate is your friend. It's packed with antioxidants that protect the lining of the blood vessels. Beyond that, a study from the Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh found that drinking pomegranate juice over a span of two weeks raised testosterone levels. Keep that in mind if you want to boost that appetite for desire.

Chai teas often combine a number of spices that have been linked to aphrodisiacs. That includes anise, which includes some estrogenic compounds, cardamom, which helps with blood circulation to all areas, ginger, which warms the body and mimic the feelings you’d get when you’re aroused, and cloves, which can stimulate libido.

Salmon brings a number of nutrients to the game to help us out. For starters, it’s high in protein, which is good for your stamina. Secondly, it has omega 3s, which are linked to serotonin in the brain. It can boost your happiness and mood. Lastly, it offers your body a good dose of vitamins A, B and D, which will give your sex life a boost.

Durian does not have an appealing smell – to say the least – but it does have some appealing properties. Long deemed an aphrodisiac by Southeast Asian cultures and a prized homeopathic remedy for infertility in Indian cultures, now there’s some science to back it up. A study on mice showed that those given durian were aroused faster, had higher sperm counts and healthier sperm.

Did you know that the Aztecs used to call the avocado tree the “testicle tree”? That’s because the fruits hang in pairs -- like, well, you know. Avocados are rich in beta carotene, magnesium and vitamin E, which in some circles is known as the “sex vitamin” because it helps in the production of sex hormones. How about some guacamole tonight?

A study in 2009 showed that women who drink red wine had a stronger appetite for sex. Now you know what to order on those dates. As for men, we can take solace in the fact that it merely relaxes you and helps with blood flow in the body.

Garlic breath can be a huge turn off for many of us but the properties inside garlic might be a huge turn on. Garlic contains a property called allicin, which helps with the blood flow circulation of the whole body. And you know what the good blood flow is important for, right?

Pumpkin seeds seems to be one that’s on the fence but it’s an aphrodisiac in our books. Boosting your testosterone levels can definitely work in the favor of arousal. These seeds give your body zinc and in turn, higher levels of testosterone. It blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen and therefore, more testosterone enters your blood stream.

In the latter stages of the middle ages, spices like cinnamon were highly respected aphrodisiacs in Europe. Cinnamon helps produce heat in the body and has been said to increase the appetite – both physical and sexual. And if you’re the type that gets too excited and celebrate prematurely, apparently a concoction including cinnamon bark rubbed directly on your penis can help make things last.

Zinc helps boost libido while protein is good for sperm count and stamina. You can get that combination from pine nuts, as these little guys can give you a big boost. They’re high in zinc and contain more than twice the protein of any nut.

When properly prepared, fugu is a popular Japanese aphrodisiac. When improperly prepared, it will kill you. Just make sure you’re ordering from a restaurant with a licensed chef and not from the cart on the street. Fugu is a poisonous fish and when it’s made right, the chef leaves a bit of the poison intact. When you eat it, your head will probably tingle and it later gives you an intoxicating, euphoric feeling of arousal. Dangerous but for those who like to walk the fine line, it’s out there to try.

Don’t act like the smell of pizza hasn’t made you horny before. Dr. Hirsch’s study also found that the smell of cheese pizza increased blood flow to the penis by 5%. Good for sex, good for the soul.

Ginseng has long been considered a super food and one of its benefits is its function as an aphrodisiac. It’s proven to be a good source to enhance erections as several studies have shown that the Korean red ginseng can effectively treat that frustrating dysfunction.

Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges and grapefruits are great for guys not only because they provide Vitamin C. This family of fruits offers up lots of antioxidants and folic acid, which helps with the male reproductive system. It helps boost your sperm count and improve fertility.

A bad heart likely means a bad sex life. Keep your heart healthy with some good quality olive oil. It will provide you with a bountiful dose of those goods fats and you need fat to produce hormones. It’s will also assist with improving blood flow.

The Greeks believed that olive oil gave their men a feistier sex drive and now we know why it makes sense.

Chocolate is assumed to be a common aphrodisiac but it might be more in our heads than anything. It does provide a dopamine spike, which makes you feel good, and it does provide tryptophan, which has a hand in the chain reaction that results in sexual arousal. However, scientifically, it can’t seem to be proven but psychologically, it does seem to arouse. I guess if you believe in something long enough, it can become a reality.

Zinc is a key player in regulating the activity of your prostate and sexual activity. Looking to get yourself a dose of this essential mineral? Get a handful of walnuts. These guys have some of the highest levels of zinc of any foods.

Maca -- or maca root -- was used by the Incas to improve sex drive. More recently, studies have proven that there was a method to their maca. A Peruvian study showed that the root can improve libido, while Italian research showed that maca helped with erectile dysfunction. 

How desperate are you to improve your libido? This cure comes from the bark of the West African Yohimbe tree and it’s shown to help men grow better erections and have more satisfying sex. Take it at your own risk, though: side effects include seizures and death.

The look of love is in her eyes when it’s early in the relationship -- but sometimes, when that fire flickers, couples need a little spark to get the passion back. That’s why we’ve created a list of aphrodisiacs. The following 30 foods will help you get in the mood, increase your libido or strengthen the game you’ve already got.