Truth about aphrodisiacs and recipes to boost your libido
This Valentine’s Day, discover the truth behind aphrodisiacs. Experts reveal what they really do and how to boost your libido, plus see recipes to get you in the mood.
Whenever Valentine’s Day rolls around, restaurant menus are filled with oyster appetisers and chocolate sweets for dessert. Recipes to boost romance include earthy ingredients like pistachios or saffron. It has often been claimed foods like oysters, chocolate and caviar, as well as plants such as ginseng and betel nuts work as sexual enhancers for men and women.
The idea that food can increase sexual desire or prowess in the bedroom is not a new one. The belief in aphrodisiacs has persisted through the ages with the term being coined after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. From Ancient Greek culture to today, the search for foods, plants and supplements that drive sexual desire continues.
Are aphrodisiacs a real thing?
While foods do not necessarily have an aphrodisiac quality to improve sex drive there is some biological plausibility to this old wives’ tale. Some foods carry nutritious value when it comes to supporting reproduction or increasing blood flow.
“There are certain foods with nutrients that work for your body on a health level,” says Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Newcastle and Director of the Food and Nutrition Research Program at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, “The reason why oysters are probably on the list of aphrodisiacs is because one oyster will give you a week’s supply of zinc – and you need zinc to make healthy sperm.”
Salmon is another example of a nutritious food that improves blood flow because it is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Some fruits, including figs, peaches and bananas, and vegetables, like zucchini and eggplant, which contain higher amounts of phytonutrients can help improve blood flow too.
On another note, looking after your partner’s heart health in the long-term is perhaps the most romantic gesture you can do. Collins recommends the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which places an emphasis on fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes.
“If you really love someone, you want to look after their heart long-term. Let Valentine’s Day be the start of trying to boost their health by eating healthier foods. This could look like a vegetarian meal that’s lower in salt followed by something chocolate-y for dessert. Even better, set the lights down low and bring out the best china,” says Collins
Do these nutrition claims extend to a Valentine’s Day favourite – chocolate?
“There’s no scientific evidence that chocolate boosts sex drive but you can’t go past it in terms of lifting someone’s mood because it boosts your serotonin and has a really nice oral sensory property,” says Collins.
The textural element of certain foods to build the mood for love should not be underestimated. While some foods are nutritionally dense others have that feel-good quality that makes them enjoyable to share with a loved one. Think silky or smooth textured foods like chocolate, strawberries or pomegranates.
“In the end it is actually about putting in effort for the person you’re trying to impress… The perceived effort is more likely to get you and your partner in the mood for a really lovely Valentine’s Day.”
What causes a low libido?
Low libido, also known as sex drive, is a decrease in the frequency or intensity of sexual desire. Libido differs naturally amongst people, but a noticeable decrease compared to regular interest may be of concern.
“There will always be a change in sexual desire or libido, particularly as men and women age. So, it can be a very legitimate concern to have that checked out,” says Collins.
Low libido may be the cause of stress, relationship issues or medical conditions.
Diet also plays a significant role in loss of libido. One study into overweight men shows that erectile function improved after losing four to five kilograms. Certain foods do increase proper blood flow and improve heart health which may lead to stronger sexual desire and pleasure.
How to improve libido
Collins warns against so-called natural supplements, particularly those which are not regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to improve libido. Botanical compounds, like roots, stems, or fruits, used in supplements have little evidence to support their use as sex drive enhancers in men or women.
“There still are products available that you can buy on the internet,” says Collins, “One review of 200 websites selling purported sexual enhancing supplements found the active ingredients contribute to a plethora of negative physical reactions and psychological symptoms.”
The review highlights common reactions to these supplements including high blood pressure, vomiting and nausea, as well as changes in mood, anxiety and mania. “If people knew about the negative side effects of the active ingredients in these products, I don’t think they would risk it,” says Collins.
While the TGA regulates supplements with respect to general safety, Collins warns these products are not regulated for efficacy.
Another review of 150 ‘natural’ or ‘herbal’ supplements that had been marketed as ‘aphrodisiacs’ found six in 10 were adulterated with drugs normally used to treat erectile dysfunction. A further one in four drug-adulterated supplements had drug amounts that exceeded the safe maximum dosage.
“If you’re experiencing sexual dysfunction – whether that’s erectile dysfunction for men or lack of sexual desire for women – and think there’s a product on the internet that will make it better, my advice would be to see your GP instead. Don’t risk buying anything online,” says Collins.
For many, raising the topic of erectile or sexual dysfunction can be highly embarrassing. Collins recommends “writing down your [concern] on a piece of paper and handing it over during the appointment”.
Clare Collins is a Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Director of Research in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Newcastle, and Director of Hunter Medical Research Institute, Food and Nutrition Program.
Aphrodisiac recipes
To help you harness the power of aphrodisiacs, we’ve curated a selection of delicious recipes designed to boost libido and bring romance to the dinner table.
Oysters and Mussels
Oysters rockefeller
These easy finger-food recipes boast bright, fresh flavours that will leave your party guests satisfied.
Get the recipe for David Herbert’s oyster rockefeller.
Saffron mussels
Mussels are a mollusc with shell appeal. They have all the theatre of oysters without the steep price tag, the sweetness of scallops with less risk of overcooking, plus no shell-grit to purge.
Get the recipe for Alice Zaslavsky’s Saffron mussels.
Salmon
Chilli butter baked salmon
Salmon is one of the go-to fish, it tastes bloody amazing and it’s so easy to cook even if you think you don’t know what you’re doing.
Get the full recipe for Nathaniel Smith’s Chilli butter baked salmon.
Puttanesca-style salmon
The fuss-free cooking method makes a winning combination.
Get the full recipe for Yotam Ottolenghi’s puttanesca-style salmon.
Chocolate
Chocolate tart recipe
This dessert is a dance of contrasts, each element complementing the other. The combination of salt and chocolate will have you coming back for more.
Get the full recipe for Lennox Hastie’s chocolate tart.
Rocky road chocolate cake
This cake is simply irresistible, covered in luscious chocolate ganache and crowned with a halo of fresh raspberries, peanuts, marshmallows and milk chocolate.
Get the full recipe for Kirstem Tibball’s rocky road chocolate cake.
Figs
Fig and hazelnut frangipane tart
The combination of figs with hazelnuts in a crisp, sweet tart shell is pure bliss – the smells coming out of your kitchen will leave you feeling intoxicated (in the best way).
Get the full recipe for Danielle Alvares’s fig and hazelnut frangipane tart.
Fig and caramel sour cream pavlova
When figs are at their late-summer peak, you don’t need to bother grilling them. The meringue base is best started a day ahead.
Get the full recipe for The Monday morning club’s fig and caramel cream pavlova.
Peaches
Grilled peach salad
If your peaches are already super sweet, don’t even bother grilling – just slice into wedges and serve with the rest of the stuff.
Get the full recipe for Alice Zaslavsky’s grilled peach salad.
Peach cobbler
With ripe fragrant peaches, the beauty in this Texan-inspired peach cobbler lies in restraint. A little sugar, a squeeze of lemon, a touch of vanilla, a hint of cinnamon.
Get the full recipe for Lennox Hasties’ peach cobbler.
Eggplant
Eggplant parmigiana
Eggplant parmigiana is a southern Italian favourite. This is a hearty meat-free dish that will even get the skeptics on board. And this recipe is by David Herbert - so you bet it can be prepared ahead of time and chilled for up to a day before cooking.
Get the full recipe for David Herbert’s eggplant parmigiana.
Chargrilled eggplant & burnt butter yoghurt
Yoghurt, drained and thickened overnight and whisked with nut-brown butter, is a perfect match for smoky eggplant. This dish, served as a side at Anason in Barangaroo, is designed to share. Very simple but super impressive.
Get the full recipe for the chargrilled eggplant and burnt butter.
Want more Valentine’s day dinner ideas? Have a romantic night in with these Sunday roast recipes or impress your date with a flavourful pasta dish. For more recipes, go to theaustralian.com.au/life/food-drink.
