Does Food Influence Your Sex Drive?
by Rosie Long, ANutr
LET’S TALK ABOUT FOOD AND SEX
Tales of foods with the ability to boost our sexual performance and desire have been around for thousands of years, from the Aztecs to the Romans, even the most famous lothario Casanova believed that oysters were the key to his sexual desires – allegedly necking back 50 every morning! But do these foods really live up to their spicy reputation? Is there any evidence behind the belief that food can rev up your sex drive?
Many foods have been studied and no real scientific connection has been made between the food we eat and our ability to perform in the bedroom. In fact, the secret of the aphrodisiac may be in our heads. It has been suggested that seductive shapes and symbols of fertility may play a role in helping us get hot and heavy, rather than anything about the food itself. The good news is that the foods that are thought to get us in the mood are generally pretty healthy, and can fit nicely into a healthy, balanced diet – they also contain a number of nutrients that are known to support fertility and hormone production in the body.
So, let’s take a dive into why some of the most common aphrodisiac foods got their reputation:
Oysters
First up, the most famous aphrodisiac of them all – oysters. Seafood has often been thought to be associated with affairs of the heart, mainly owing to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, emerging from the ocean. Not only have oysters got a suggestive appearance, but some experts believe their libido-boosting properties may also have something to do with how we slurp them…(gross!). Whilst there may not be any hard evidence to support Casanova’s daily ritual, oysters may be a wise choice for couples looking to conceive. They are rich in zinc, which plays a role in normal fertility and reproduction, and in the production of testosterone and sperm.
Chocolate
We’ve all seen the adverts with the slow pour of hot melted chocolate – it’s a pretty sexy food! But whether it has any impact on our libido may lie in our heads, literally. Chocolate contains the chemical phenylethylamine (or more simply PEA), which stimulates the release of the ‘happy hormones’ serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Some scientists also believe that PEA may have a role in love and monogamy, but more research is needed.
Avocado
Their suggestive shape may have a little something to do with their aphrodisiac status, in fact the Aztec word for avocado is “ahuacatl” meaning testicle. Which may explain why they considered them to be a sex symbol. But aside from their reputation with the Aztecs, avocados are packed with nutrients, including folate, potassium and vitamin B6. Folate is an important nutrient to consider if you’re trying for a baby – its vital in the early stages of pregnancy as it helps to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Its recommended that women take a folic acid supplement (400mcg) prior to conception and in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Nuts
Almonds are one of the oldest aphrodisiacs and fertility symbols going. It was thought that the aroma of almonds could boost sexual desire in women. Although there is no evidence to support this, there is still a good reason to add nuts such as almonds to your diet! Almonds contain healthy mono-unsaturated fats, as well as essential vitamins and minerals such as zinc, which supports normal fertility and reproduction. Eating a handful of nuts, could be a key in keeping sperm healthy too – a study found men who ate 60g (that’s around two handfuls) of mixed nuts, including almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts daily for 14 weeks, had a 16% increase in sperm count compared to the group who ate no nuts. The nut-eating group also saw improvements in sperm vitality, motility and morphology (shape and size).
There are also a couple of mood ‘killers’ to watch out for when it comes to your sex drive:
Alcohol
Although a couple of glasses of fizz can help to get you in the mood, excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time has been linked to decreased libido and may also contribute to erectile dysfunction. It turns out too much booze can also wipe out a man’s swimmers for longer than just the night! A study found that it can take up to 3 months for sperm quality and quantity to return to normal following excessive alcohol consumption.
Underlying health issues
Health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease can also play havoc with your sex drive, so it’s important to take steps to look after your health early on to reduce your risk. Recent research suggests that eating a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, lean protein and healthy fats can help to reduce your risk diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So, when it comes to choosing the diet best for your overall health, the Mediterranean Diet wins hands down!
Although what we eat and drink can have an impact on our sex drive, it’s really important to recognise the power of the placebo with these things! If we think having half a dozen oysters and a tray of chocolate covered strawberries on date night is going to get us in the mood – it probably will! The key here is to look after your overall health and make sure your eating a healthy, balanced diet and drinking responsibly.
About the author:
Rosie Long is a Registered Associate Nutritionist who splits her time working as a Freelance Nutrition Consultant and in-house Nutritionist at a London-based PR agency. Rosie is also a keen health writer, creating content with brands and for the media, with the goal of spreading more positive and evidence-based nutrition messages and debunking some of the misconceptions in nutrition. Rosie regularly shares her thoughts, insights and occasionally recipes on Instagram.
References
1. EU Commission, EU Register on nutrition and health claims. 2016. Available: https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/labelling_nutrition/claims/register/public/?event=search
2. NHS, 2018. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/why-do-i-need-folic-acid-in-pregnancy/
3. Salas-Huetos A, Moraleda R, Giardina S, Anton E, Blanco J. Effect of nut consumption on sperm quality and functionality in healthy men consuming a Western-style diet: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 108:5; 953-962. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy181
4. Sermondade N, Elloumi H, Berthaut I, et al. Progressive alcohol-induced sperm alterations leading to spermatogenic arrest, which was reversed after alcohol withdrawal. Reprod Biomed Online. 2010;20(3):324‐327. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2009.12.003
5. Cena H, Calder PC. Defining a Healthy Diet: Evidence for The Role of Contemporary Dietary Patterns in Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2020;12(2):334. Published 2020 Jan 27. doi:10.3390/nu12020334