Nutritionists reveal the healthiest aphrodisiac foods — with added benefits for your gut
Doing the dirty should start with eating clean.
Aphrodisiacs ― a term derived from Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love ― is a food or other substance that is thought to increase one’s libido.
While erotic mood-boosting foods are more folklore than fact, many foods dubbed aphrodisiacs can indeed contribute to healthy blood circulation, help balance hormones and enhance vitality, all of which are crucial to maintaining stamina in the sack. Many also aid digestion and gut health, which can be mood killers when out of whack.
“There tend to be nutrients provided via these foods that improve the health of the sex organs as well,” Kat Van Kirk, a sex therapist and the resident relationship and sex expert at AdamandEve.com told HuffPost.
“The foods are said to increase sensations of arousal such as body temperature, heart rate or physical energy, making you feel more like having sex.”
Strawberries
“Strawberries do contain nutrients that can support a healthy sex life,” nutritionist and celebrity chef Serene Poon said to Byrdie. “A cup of strawberries contains about 149% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, a nutrient which is thought to boost libido.”
The succulent red fruits will improve your sex life and your gut health.
“They’re a great source of fiber, with studies also showing that strawberries can aid in reducing gut inflammation, specifically in people suffering from symptoms of IBS,” Kyle Crowley, a nutrition expert at Protein Works, told T3.
If you want to enhance the sexual and health benefits of strawberries, go ahead and dip them in chocolate.
“Covering your strawberries in dark chocolate can also have benefits for the gut, with the sweet treat containing both high fiber and a number of antioxidants to help the gut lining,” Crowley said.
Chocolate
A heart-shaped box of chocolates isn’t just a romantic staple, it’s also a proven gut-friendly aphrodisiac.
The popular treat contains tryptophan, a building block of serotonin, known to enhance pleasure and phenylethylamine, a stimulant related to amphetamine, which is released by the brain when people fall in love.
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine even found that indulging in chocolate daily increased women’s sexual desire — something that many have reported lacking as of late.
Figs
The appearance and texture of figs already lend themselves to be sexual snacks, but the nutrients inside the sweet and juicy fruit have been found to excite your body as well.
“The amino acids (plant compounds) in figs act as aphrodisiacs,” nutritionist and hut-health expert Lisa Richards also told Byride. The expert explained that amino acids support the production of sex hormones necessary for reproduction and are “also known to enhance stamina as well.”
While helping you to find sexual pleasure, figs will also please your gut.
“They are full of fiber which provides the gut bacteria with prebiotics to feed on, improving digestive health,” Crowley shared. However, he noted the sweet fruit also contains natural laxative properties if eaten in abundance.
Asparagus
Asparagus contains aspartic acid, which helps to neutralize excess ammonia building up in our bodies, which can lead to fatigue and sexual disinterest. The phallic vegetable is also loaded with calcium, vitamin E and potassium, which all provide a spike in energy for a tumble in the sheets.
The long and hard veggie is also gut-friendly.
“Asparagus is not only delicious but also a great source of fiber, which plays an important role in digestion,” Crowley noted.
“The vegetable also has a high nutritional value and its prebiotic properties work to feed good bacteria in the gut.”
Chili
Chili has been found to spice up your sex life and neutralize your gut biome.
“It creates a tingling sensation and increases the release of epinephrine ― also known as adrenaline ― and endorphins, the natural opiates for the body,” Van Kirk said.
Chili is packed with capsaicin and antioxidants, both of which may enhance bodily sensations and blood flow helping to increase sexual desire and pleasure. Capsaicin specifically is known to boost testosterone levels and increase libido.
Licking the chili off the rim of your margarita will also raise your heart rate and your body temperature, which increases arousal.
“Not only does chili act as an aphrodisiac, enhancing sensations and blood flow in the body, but it also benefits your gut,” Crowley shared.
“When consumed in moderation, chili extract may improve gut health by increasing the number of good bacteria and in turn reducing the number of disease-causing bacteria.”
