02:38 06/05/2024
The most famous aphrodisiacs
KEY DATA
The aphrodisiac properties of wine have been known since ancient times
For some of us, there is nothing more sensual than the smell and texture of melted chocolate
In addition to having aphrodisiac effects, truffles are rich in important micronutrients such as phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur and iron.
They were named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and bodily love. According to legend, she considered sparrows a top delicacy and aphrodisiac, and so the Europeans, according to the ancient Greeks, highly valued sparrows and consumed their brains as an aphrodisiac. But don’t panic, there are many other foods that have aphrodisiac properties and don’t include eating the brain.
Chocolate
The ancient Aztec civilizations considered chocolate to be the food of the Gods. Montezuma, a 16th-century Aztec ruler, reportedly drank 50 cups of chocolate before visiting his harem. Modern science has also come to the molecular basis of this setting by discovering the impressive chemical composition of chocolate, which is rich in phytochemicals with a whole range of beneficial effects on human health and well-being.
For some of us, there is nothing more sensual than the smell and texture of melted chocolate. Chocolate contains the stimulant phenylethylamine, and some scientists consider this substance a chemical of love, since when consuming chocolate, a feeling of bliss and excitement is often aroused.
Oysters
There is a belief that Aphrodite (goddess of love) was born in the sea, and perhaps for this reason a whole range of seafood is considered aphrodisiacs. Oysters are rich in zinc, a mineral that is often lacking in the diet of modern man, and their consumption improves nutritional and health status, and thus sex drive. We should not ignore the fact that zinc is abundantly excreted from the body through sperm, during ejaculation, and it is also needed during testosterone synthesis. Testosterone is a male sex hormone, necessary for the proper sexual function of every man, and some scientists believe that it also participates in the stimulation of female libido.
Pepperoni and other spicy foods
This special group of foods is considered a sexual stimulant because foods like pepperoni and hot peppers contain the active substance capsaicin. Capsaicin has a number of physiological effects - it increases the heart rate, speeds up metabolism and causes sweating - and all these "symptoms" are also present when making love. Scientists believe that the consumption of spicy foods causes the secretion of endorphins - the body's chemicals that cause a feeling of good mood and excitement.
Alcohol
The aphrodisiac properties of wine have been known since ancient times. Let’s just remember Dionysus and his hedonistic habits and everything will become crystal clear. Grapes appear in Greek and Roman mythology, with an emphasis on the intoxicating properties of wine, a grape extract.
The famous seducer Casanova served champagne to his chosen ones, after which they would mostly indulge in his charms. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, alcohol is described as an agent that “awakens desire but disrupts performance”. Namely, too much alcohol often causes sexual impotence and lack of desire, while small amounts of quality wine or champagne stimulate desire in both men and women.
Truffles
Truffles are also known as black diamonds. These are species of fungi that possess a special and unique aroma and grow below the surface of the earth. Female pigs are attracted to the smell of truffles because truffles release steroids similar to pheromones that males release during the mating season.
In addition to having aphrodisiac effects, truffles are rich in important micronutrients such as phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur and iron. Truffles are thought to lift the mood.
Asparagus
Asparagus has long been considered an aphrodisiac because of its phallic shape, but also because of its high content of vitamin E, which is popularly called the fertility vitamin. Vitamin E is important in the synthesis of sex hormones, which makes it an important factor in a healthy sex life. One 17th-century herbalist wrote, "Asparagus stimulates lust in both men and women."
Foods rich in the amino acid arginine
Arginine is an amino acid that is mostly present in beef liver, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds, chocolate and almonds. This amino acid plays an important role in the synthesis of nitric oxide, which is responsible for vasodilation (dilation of blood vessels) and achieving an erection. Adequate arginine intake is important for sperm count and motility.
Ginseng
A medicinal plant that is often associated with sexual power is ginseng. This root is irresistibly reminiscent of the human body, and has been used for centuries as a stimulant and elixir in countries like China, Korea, Tibet, Indochina and India. Although the results of scientific research are contradictory, there are several studies that have confirmed the aphrodisiac effect of this plant on animals and humans.
Ginkgo biloba
The action of ginkgo is thought to be similar to the action of ginseng. These herbs promote microcirculation and blood flow. The study, conducted at the University of San Francisco, included a group of men and women who experienced sexual power problems due to taking antidepressants. The researchers offered them 200 mg of ginkgo a day and 84% of the respondents improved their sex life. However, this study blames the lack of a control group and ignores the placebo effect.
