Sexual Feeding- A Guide to the Foods of Love

From the ancient Greeks to the Elizabethans, from Chaucer to Shakespeare,  from the Middle East to the USA,  men and women have searched for the key to good sex, and have found it—in food.  Ancient Greeks celebrated the yearly fig crop with a full-fledged orgy, nineteenth century bridegrooms were served three courses of asparagus before entering their nuptial chamber, and chocolate was even banned from some monasteries centuries ago for its aphrodisiac powers.

Although some “foods of love” may not tantalize the modern appetite (take an ancient Egyptian favourite: dried ox penis sprinkled on a soft-boiled egg, for example), nevertheless, we can all agree that there’s nothing like a nice romantic dinner to set the mood, and why not dish out some aphrodisiac favourites? Here are a few romantic stand-bys sure to heat up Scotland’s chilly February—just be sure to put on a “jacket” before tucking in!

Firstly, the essential ingredient of any valentine is the compulsory, if not clichéd, box of chocolates.  However, to those less imaginative lovers out there, fear not! It turns out that chocolate will not give pleasure only to the taste buds. A healthy dose of chocolate provides a cocktail of different stimulants, antioxidants, and other chemical substances that provide the perfect recipe for the ideal Valentine’s Day mood. Chocolate contains a stimulant called phenylethylamine, a chemical found naturally in the human brain that incites feelings of happiness, even euphoria, goodwill and wellbeing, simulating many of the emotions we recognize as “love.” As well as having more antioxidants than red wine, scientists believe that chocolate directly affects the brain, inflaming feelings of lust, coupled by the energy boost and increased blood flow linked to heightened sexual performance.  Building pyramids wasn’t the Mayan’s only strong suit!

For those classy lovers out there, on Valentine’s Day champagne is a must. However, for those of us poor students, be glad to know that any cheap corner store wine will do the trick, because all wine contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps boost blood flow and improves circulation.  As most of us have found, wine also relaxes our inhibitions, as well as making our partner seem more attractive than usual—however, men should beware of the maxim: “too much of a good thing,” because alcohol can very easily become the opposite of an aphrodisiac.

Some less glamorous, but nonetheless important aphrodisiacs are found in the foods that we should eat on a daily basis—fruits and vegetables.  These foods contain some essential vitamins that supposedly enhance the libido. Take vitamin E, for example, which has been shown to stimulate sex hormones, and is found in a typical childhood favourite: asparagus.  Arugula has also been known as an aphrodisiac as far back as the first century AD, when the ancient philosophers Pliny and Dioscorides prescribed the vegetable for fertility, alongside such thankfully outmoded remedies as the flesh of a North African lizard.  The banana, a fruit that does not take a stretch of imagination to link with the sexual act has been shown to have actual aphrodisiac qualities, thanks to its quantity of potassium, which increases muscle strength, and vitamin B, which increases sex hormone production. The watermelon is also known to quicken the sexual appetite, as it contains a nutrient that speeds up circulation for faster arousal.  Who knew that eating your fruits and vegetables could be this much fun?

Some well known aphrodisiacs were born out of cultural and historical traditions, yet have been shown to have some scientific merit. The oyster, for example, became popularised because of the ancient Goddess Aphrodite, who was said to be born from the sea. Little did the ancient Greeks know that oysters are a rich source of zinc, known to be an aid in testosterone production. The spice trade became an important addition to the European diet, as well as a facilitator of Eastern influence on Western culture. Chilli pepper in particular fascinated Europe’s taste buds, and became a popular aphrodisiac ingredient. Today we have learned that chilli contains a chemical that stimulates nerve endings and raises the pulse, as well as releases endorphins, creating a natural high.

These simple household ingredients, when put to the right use, can be the recipe for the ultimate romantic evening, proving once again that good food equals a good life.

Claire Arkin