Aphrodisiacs for Valentines day…..

Food and Romance
Are there natural aphrodisiacs?

Oh, how we quest for the quaffable culinary come-ons, the intoxicating insatiable salacious combination of deliciousness evoking sexiness and success in the sack. Food and intimacy are as enmeshed and interdependent as food and life itself. However, much rumour, innuendo, and myth swirl around foods enhancing, not just supporting, the romantic experience. Do you have an opinion? Read on, and we will explore the relationship between food and intimacy in our most recent column celebrating love, life and healthy romance, just in time for the day dedicated to celebrating love and relationships, Valentine’s Day.

Most have at least heard of the legendary oyster as a possible aphrodisiac, but is it true this remains de riguer for the bon viveur, or even the vava voom for bride and groom? Also known as bivalves, the concept of oyster enhancing the sexual experience has certainly been studied, and there is indeed some biological basis for the concept, as oysters are packed with mineral content, especially zinc, which is critical for the synthesis of sex hormones. For one act of intimacy, a male requires 1 to 3mg of zinc, which is not an insignificant amount.

Interestingly, Italian researchers in 2005 investigated the bivalve as bedtime delight a step further, discovering that oysters, especially in spring, contain very high levels of the relatively rare, excitatory amino acids aspartate and NMDA. Not coincidentally, spring is full bloom in breeding season for bivalves. These amino acids are imperative for boosting the sex hormone cascade in both men and women. Lest you wince and cry and denounce this all as quahog wash, know that this was in fact presented to 15,000 scientists at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in Miami. Since then, the private business of bivalves has never been more interesting or exposed. Of course, the actual business of bivalves is thriving as well, so if you partake, allow for a little extra weight to be lifted from your wallet. Lastly, intuitively we should know the fresher, the better, but just double check with your fish monger that the little buggers could still enjoy the sea if given the option. Oysters are shucked live and meant to be consumed immediately after the shuck.

The wet towel though on Bivalve bingeing for the after dinner buffet in bed is that many would say raw oysters are an acquired taste at best. Personally, I think they just taste lighty of the sea and need a nice mignonette to balance and create thirst, which one can quench with a dry or semi-dry champagne, among other things.

And speaking of champagne, what a wonderful aperitif for romance beyond belief! Always associated with celebrating, Champagne is fascinating as it possesses the power of carbon dioxide bubbles providing effervescence, which tickle and titillate the mouth and tongue. Biologically though the CO2 bubbles allow the alcohol of champagne to be absorbed more quickly and efficiently, thus enhancing the endorphin release of alcohol. It’s true. And Endorphins are the feel good chemicals in our body and underlie any biological pleasure. The concept is as old as alcohol, even Greek playwright Euripides celebrated in 400 BC that “for in drinking its possible to fondle breasts, and to caress well-tended locks, and there is dancing withal, and oblivion of woe”. Not exactly the words of heroes and legends, but thousands of years ago he made his point. However, any imbiber of alcohol knows the woe is the day after. So if you’d like, raise your glasses, oh lads and lasses to the beautiful bubbly, but always be mindful that consumed in excess it is only a pest. Yes, please avoid a Greek tragedy on Valentine’s Day.

Champagne is of course not always a practical or even desired tonic. In fact, beyond a certain point alcohol only contributes to negative side effects, as it is essentially a downer or anaesthetic, and can directly impair sexual functions, such as erection, orgasm, or simply contribute to nausea, lethargy, disequilibrium, or even just sleep.

Fortunately, oysters and champagne are not the only go-to foods for fun; there is a cornucopia of other pleasure enhancers. I recently came across the Institute for Integrative Health and Nutrition’s list of healthy aphrodisiacs, which they published for Valentine’s day. What a marvellous list of healthy choices that boost libido. Check it out. They implore individuals to explore their relationship to food and life in a unique way.

They list many foods, and highlights are the warming effect of cinnamon, as it increases circulation. Chocolate contributes to a dopamine rush, and hence an endorphin rush. The addition of chilli pepper such as cayenne only further enhances the rush of chocolate, causing further flushing and rushing. So try some chocolate laced with cinnamon and cayenne for a taste of the sublime, as well as a good time.

Lesser known contributors to the lexicon of romantic food are fruits and vegetables. Celery, for example, carries a little punch of androsterone, a sex hormone precursor, and avocados are silky smooth and packed with vitamin E and Omega fatty acid rich vegetable oil, both essential for successful intimacy. Honey contributes the element boron, while almonds, pine nuts, and pumpkin seeds all contribute the essential healthy minerals magnesium and zinc. The fruits pineapple, watermelon, and red peppers contribute thiamine, lycopene and vitamin C in abundance, and don’t weigh you down, so gobble them up.

Beverages certainly are celebratory without alcohol too, consider trying simple sparkling water with a spritz of lemon or lime for the titillating bubbles and celebratory feel. Perhaps macerate a pineapple wedge with a touch of honey, add ice, then sparkling water, and finish with that citrus splash. Scoop a slathering of mashed avocado doused with cayenne and laced with red pepper and a touch of salt, wash it down with your beverage of choice and discuss the possibilities with your mate. Dive into a serving of fresh strawberries dipped in a warmed chocolate ganache that you’ve sprinkled with cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Finish this with a little hot chocolate, champagne, or sparkling water, and revel in the warmth and fire.

Foods do fuel passion. Perhaps take a moment to be mindful of the relationship of food with the physical, the change in feeling when chomping on celery, the pleasant warmth and tingle of cinnamon, the palpable burn of chilli pepper, and celebrate yet another dimension of intimacy. Food is a a fuel that fans the flames of passion, especially those we’ve discussed and invites conversation. At the very least, enjoy discussing the enhanced possibilities with that intimate mate, indulging in foods that stimulate the palate, the imagination, and most importantly, your partner. Bon Appetite!