10 Aphrodisiac Foods to Spark Your Sexual Life

Our daily lives can be stressful, so it’s no wonder many of us need help to get our sex lives back on track. That’s where natural aphrodisiac foods, the tastiest of sexual stimulants, come in.

Aphrodisiacs have been used for centuries as a natural means of adding extra heat to nights of passion. They aren’t named after Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love, for nothing!

Research says you are what you eat.

And certainly, the food you eat has a direct impact on your brain chemistry, hormone levels, stress levels, and energy. But can food really be used to serve a much sexier purpose?

What foods are aphrodisiacs?

Throughout history, several foods have been praised for their powerful aphrodisiac qualities (seriously, why else would you eat an oyster?). In the past, foods considered aphrodisiacs were rare and expensive, and many earned their titles simply because they had the shape of a sex organ (hello, bananas!).

Famous natural aphrodisiac foods today, however, are believed to have nutrients that increase libido, sexual performance, stamina, and sensation. In reality, these aphrodisiac foods won’t magically transform your sex life.  But they can boost and revitalize your sex life. Like a tingly lubricant or a well-timed blindfold...

Ever wondered what foods are aphrodisiacs and what aphrodisiac recipe is perfect for a wild night? A combination of oral sex tricks and some firey food will certainly do the trick. In the following list are natural aphrodisiac foods that promise to increase body temperature, blood flow to the genitals and the production of all the hormones necessary for a steamy session.

Indulge yourself!

The Definitive List of Aphrodisiac Foods to Spice Up your Nights.

1. Oysters.

When people first wonder what foods are aphrodisiacs, oysters spring to mind.

Oysters aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. And understandably. Their salty-squidginess and ability to hang around the back of your throat make them a rare delicacy. Nonetheless, they are at the top of the famous-aphrodisiac-food ladder. And they have been since it was rumored that legendary lothario Casanova ate oysters every day for breakfast, and swore by their stimulating effects.

Though they might not immediately make you want to jump up and whip your pants off, oysters do have certain properties that aid sexual encounters. They are full of zinc (which is important for testosterone and sperm production), copper, vitamin B12 (great for energy) and vitamin C.

They also contain the amino acid tyrosine, meaning they can increase dopamine levels. And as high dopamine levels are linked to high sex drives, sharing the salty-squidginess with a lover might be worth it after all...

2. Dates.

Delicious, sweet, and sticky. How can dates not be a sexy food?

This fleshy fruit has a sexy history, too.  They are known as a ‘fruit of paradise’ in Islamic tradition, and are the ingredient bringing the romance in a ‘Cupid’s Omelette’.

Some sexual health therapists claim that dates heighten sperm quality and quantity, as well as breast and testicle size. Dates contain amino acids that are vital in increasing sexual stamina, and they stimulate the release of oxytocin. 

Oxytocin is informally known as the ‘cuddle’ hormone, because it is released during skin to skin contact and rouses feelings of intimacy and affection.

Dates are also full of vitamins which improve overall health and energy levels, so if you need to fuel up before a big night (and impress a lover with your healthy diet) they are the way to go.

3. Avocados.

Avocados are a fruit rich in beneficial antioxidants like potassium and vitamins B and E. Their appearance has inspired their reputation as an aphrodisiac food: the Aztec’s apparently called avocado trees ‘testicle trees’ due to their shape and their tendency to dangle from trees in pairs...

They are a vital source of monounsaturated fats that prevent heart diseases and promote better blood flow within the body. They also contain a whole host of nutrients beneficial to sexual health, including magnesium, vitamin E (known to increase testosterone levels, thus libido), beta carotene and potassium, all of which aid sexual stamina, amongst other things.

Avocados, as well as being delicious (guacamole!!) also add shine to hair, improve skin complexion and provide healthy fats so you can really go all night long.

A Mexican-themed-aphrodisiac-food feast, anyone?

4. Pomegranates.

The pomegranate is the sacred fruit of Aphrodite herself. And if it works for her, who are we to argue?

Pomegranates are powerful natural aphrodisiac foods thanks to the many antioxidants they contain, some of which protect the lining of your blood vessels, aiding natural blood flow and boosting heart rate. As well as being delicious, beautiful and sensual in their appearance (their pink, round firmness is undeniable!), they are rich in vitamin C, potassium and folic acid. They also heighten testosterone levels in men and women, resulting in heightened sexual desire.

One study, in particular, found that the condition of men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction was noticeably improved by pomegranate juice. They are also responsible for increased sensitivity, which, during sex, can make a world of sensual difference! 

5. Hot Chilies.

Blood flow is everything when it comes to having amazing sex. And nothing has more of an immediate effect than a hot chile. The flush you get after eating a particularly hot chile is your body releasing endorphins, boosting energy levels, and increasing its blood flow.

The heat of a chile is enough to make it an aphrodisiac food. Does anything make someone more inclined to rip their clothes off than rising temperatures?

Capsaicin, a chemical found in fiery peppers, in rousing circulation and nerve endings, also stimulates your senses, making you feel more turned on. On top of this, your flushed cheeks, warm glow and sparkling eyes after a bite of hot chile mimics the appearance of a sexual flush and is sure to push your partner over the edge. If you’ve ever thought the combination of chocolate and chile is weird, think again.

6. Honey.

“Honey, I’m home!” Honey is undeniably a natural aphrodisiac food tinged with romance. It is made naturally through a process of pollination, and this makes many see it as a symbol of procreation.

Moreover, the term ‘honeymoon’ comes from mead, an alcoholic beverage made from honey, which is traditionally given to newlyweds. Also, ancient doctor Hippocrates prescribed honey for patients in need of a sexual boost. It’s also believed to be the nectar of Aphrodite, which isn’t a bit surprising given its naturally sticky sweetness and attractive golden hue.

Honey contains boron, which aids testosterone and estrogen levels, as well as chrysin, which can also produce a short-term testosterone boost. Its B vitamins provide the energy necessary for a sleepless night...

7. Pumpkin Seeds.

Yes, the humble pumpkin seed is a source rich in minerals and vitamins necessary to increase the heat between the sheets. Like oysters, pumpkin seeds are bursting with zinc, which increases libido and testosterone.

These seeds are loaded with libido firming vitamins B, C, D, E, and K, and vital minerals such as niacin, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which is known to lower anxiety and encourage the production of specific sex hormones. And it’s fatty acids are essential for maintaining good long-term sexual health.

Sprinkle a handful of these sexy morsels onto your next avocado toast, and try to finish your plate before heading to the bedroom! 

8. Watermelon

This lycopene king has been reported to have a Viagra-like effect on the body. Lycopene is essential for the heart as well as prostate health, and watermelon’s high potassium levels also benefit the heart. And what do we know is crucial for the best possible functioning of sexual organs? 

Blood flow!

Also, watermelon contains high levels of amino acid citrulline, which converts into arginine and then to nitric oxide, and relaxes and dilates blood vessels in a way similar to erectile dysfunction treatments. Nitric oxide is integral for mental and physical energy and sexual function.

Like pomegranate, watermelon’s attractive pink flesh also connects it with all things romantic, making it an aphrodisiac food in many ways. You can be sure that the wet mouths, sticky hands and satisfied stomachs that come with consuming watermelon will get you and your partner in the mood.

9. Pine nuts

Pine nuts have been seen as a natural aphrodisiac food since Medieval times, and even today they are used by some Middle Eastern cultures to treat a diminished libido.

These nuts are high in zinc, which is known to prevent impotence and infertility (and increase sexual desire!). They also contain high levels of boron, which encourages proper brain functioning. As with many of our favorite nuts, they are great for the heart and provide healthy fats and a load of protein to keep you fuller for longer (so your attention can be focussed elsewhere..).

They are also considered an aphrodisiac food due to the effort needed to procure them from pine cones (this probably explains their somewhat hefty price-tag, too). Moreover, ancient Greek doctor Galen famously told patients who were struggling to produce children to eat pine nuts.

Today we have pesto, salads and all sorts of delicious ways to integrate pine nuts into our diets. So in the name of the hours those brave souls spend extracting pine nuts from their cones, grab a bag and nibble away!

10. Strawberries

Strawberries are another food which springs to mind when people first wonder what foods are aphrodisiacs. And it’s no wonder: they are undeniably a sexy food. We have all seen enough movies in which a gorgeous couple feed each other strawberries in a bathtub surrounded by candles and champagne.

And they know what they’re doing.

For centuries and in various cultures, strawberries have been used to promote fertility, libido, and intimacy. In ancient Rome, they were the symbol of Venus (the Roman equivalent of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love), and in French culture, strawberries were seen as a symbol of fertility, and gifted to newlyweds.

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants that benefit your blood vessels, heart and general complexion (making them a great confidence booster!). They are packed with vitamin C, which said to boost estrogen levels and blood flow. They also contain high levels of zinc (that infamous testosterone and libido enhancer) and potassium (which is great for stamina and the production of sex hormones).

Dripping these berries in dark chocolate, yet another aphrodisiac containing methylxanthines, will certainly increase libido. And dripping them in chocolate and feeding them to a lover will certainly make for a satisfying (albeit quite messy) evening..

Stop wondering what foods are aphrodisiacs and start enjoying them. There are a million ways of consuming and enjoying these foods (a chocolate fountain with an aphrodisiac-inspired array of fruits, perhaps?), so put them on your next shopping list and watch the magic happen.