The (Not Only) Finger-Licking Guide to Aphrodisiac Foods and a Yummy Libido

Finger-Licking Aphrodisiac Pomegranates
Written by Mariah Freya

Are you looking for an au naturale way to boost your libido and amp up sexy time for you and your partner? Consider noshing on some aphrodisiac foods.

You may have heard that eating certain foods can have an impact on your libido and get your mojo going. A lot of people are keen on the idea of libido foods because you can eat them to elevate your sex life without any of the weird side effects associated with sex-enhancement drugs.

What are aphrodisiacs again?

Make sure to check out Beducated's Libido & Desire Online Courses
category-massage.png

An aphrodisiac is something that has the ability to boost your libido and stimulate your sexual desire, performance, and pleasure.

Many believe that eating libido foods can get you in the mood for some love-making. Historically, aphrodisiac foods have been revered by many cultures as a way to invigorate sexuality. Ancient Greece and Peru, as well as the Venetians and Aztecs, used certain foods for aphrodisiac purposes.

So do aphrodisiacs really work? Research indicates that aphrodisiac foods are not just an old wives’ tale––they can actually help you get turned on and perform better in bed!

libido foods info

Get to Know the 14 Best Aphrodisiac Foods

From breakfast, appetizers, spices, and garnishes to dessert and drinks, aphrodisiac foods come in all forms. Wanna get all hot and bothered the organic way? We’ve listed the best aphrodisiac foods of 2018.

Eating these fourteen libido foods can get you naturally horny without any fancy drugs.

Why not indulge your senses by giving some of these a try?

1. Raw Oysters

Raw oysters are one of the most well-known libido foods. Cleopatra loved oysters, as did Casanova. Even in romantic Venetian times, virgins were seduced by sliding an oyster from a man’s mouth into a woman’s.

Raw Oysters increase libido

If the hot history of raw oysters isn’t enough for you, consider the science. Some scientists believe that due to their high amino acid and zinc content, oysters help the body generate sex hormones and produce sperm.

Oysters also contain dopamine which can increase your sense of desire.

A 2005 study at Barry University in Miami found that oysters and other mollusks contain chemicals that release estrogen and testosterone. According to George Fisher, a researcher at the university, eating oysters triggers “a chain reaction of hormones that end[s] with the production of testosterone in males and progesterone in females.” Oysters are usually enjoyed at the beginning of a meal, but they might make you want to skip dinner and dessert and get straight to the nooky!

2. Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is typically eaten in the evening, maybe with a glass of wine, which in itself, sets a sexy scene. You probably know that chocolate comes from cocoa beans, but did you know that raw cocoa was referred to as the “nourishment of the gods” by the Aztecs?

Aphrodisiac Dark Chocolate

Eating dark chocolate spikes dopamine in the brain which creates a feeling of pleasure.

This sexy superfood contains phenylethylamine, an organic compound that triggers a sense of happiness and excitement.

The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study that found that women who enjoy a piece of chocolate on a daily basis have a more active sex life than those who don’t. In addition to being one of the most romantic desserts, chocolate is a food that you can play within the bedroom. You can easily make chocolate cream at home using raw cacao powder, cocoa butter, and a little coconut oil. Eat it as a treat or invite your partner to lick it off your body!

3. Watermelon

Some say eating watermelon can offer similar effects as taking performance-enhancement drugs.

Could watermelon really be the new Viagra?

Watermelon for libido

Bhimu Patil, researcher and director of the Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center at Texas A&M University, has stated that eating watermelon delivers Viagra-like effects on blood vessels throughout the body and may increase libido! This yummy fresh fruit contains an amino acid called citrulline which is good for your cardiovascular system and helps to relax your blood vessels. The result is a nice boost in your libido.

4. Bananas

As one of the most popular fruits in the world, you might be able to find this aphrodisiac right on your kitchen counter. But bananas are more than just a phallic fruit.

Aphrodisiac Banana

They contain an enzyme called bromelain that stimulates the production of testosterone. Bananas also consist of chelating minerals which some people believe can increase sex drive for men.

The vitamin B, riboflavin, and potassium in bananas can also make you feel energized and ramp up your testosterone levels making you feel ready for a romp in the sheets.

And guess what, ladies? Eating bananas and other fruit might make your vagina taste better too! This fruity innuendo is also perfect for practicing your deepthroating skills––just be careful not to choke!

5. Chili Peppers

The bold red color and electric spice level of chili peppers might make you think about sex and romance, but eating them can spark a chemical reaction that makes you feel frisky as well. Chili peppers contain capsaicin which can stimulate the nerve endings on your tongue and create a release of adrenaline throughout your body.

Make sure to check out Beducated's Libido & Desire Online Courses
category-massage.png

Eating chilis can also activate endorphins in your brain and increase your heart rate which may get your sexual juices flowing.

According to an entry by Dr. Meryl S. Rosofsky in the Encyclopedia of Food and Culture chilis “quicken the pulse and induce sweating, mimicking the state of sexual arousal….which plays a role in sexual pleasure.”

Libido Chili Peppers Food

Although we recommend using them to spice up the food you eat, chilis should probably be kept out of the bedroom because they can really burn your skin––maybe not the kind of heat you’re looking for when you’re getting busy!

6. Celery

Believe it or not, celery is more than just a low-calorie snack. This stringy, crunchy water stick can boost your sex life enormously!

In fact, celery may be one of the sexiest veggies on earth.

Don’t believe us?

Aphrodisiac Celery Food

Well, celery stalks are full of androstenone and androstenol which act as pheromones, making men appear more attractive to women. It goes both ways too. Eating celery can also make men feel turned on.

After munching on some celery, the odor of androstenone and androstenol travel into a man’s mouth and through his nose, creating a pheromone scent that boosts arousal.

Ancient Greeks considered celery to be a “passion promoter.” In Homer’s The Odyssey, Calypso the nymph lived in a cave surrounded by flowers and wild celery. This marshland plant contains a combination of vitamin E, magnesium, niacin, potassium, and zinc, which are all required for great sex. Grab some hummus and get snacking!

7. Vanilla

Vanilla has a sweet, sexy smell and can be added to countless desserts and drinks. The aroma of vanilla can make you feel calm and relaxed which is a precursor for foreplay.

Research shows that the smell of vanilla can stimulate arousal in men and increase sexual satisfaction.

Try adding vanilla extract or vanilla bean to your favorite drink or dessert.

Libido Vanilla Food

A whiff of vanilla perfume or body spray might make your partner envision serotonin-boosting desserts, and in turn, get them thinking about a quickie. Pretty sweet, right?

8. Avocados

Everyone seems to love avocados. They have appealing light green flesh, a sexy, smooth texture, and they’re full of healthy fats, proteins, and vitamins. But that’s not all.

Avocados have high amounts of vitamin E which can elevate your energy levels and boost your performance in bed.

Ancient Aztecs referred to avocados as ahuacatl which means “testicle” because the way they grow on trees resembles the way a man is hung.

Aphrodisiac Avocado Food

Avocados look so sexual that Spanish Catholic priests used to forbid their parishioners from eating this innuendo fruit. Enjoy them either on a piece of yummy bread or make some guacamole and to enjoy with tortilla chips and tacos. You might even try adding some chili peppers to your guac to create a double-whammy aphrodisiac dip.

9. Goji berries

Goji berries (also known as “wolfberries” or “happy berries”) are used in Chinese medicine to strengthen the adrenal system. Some believe that our adrenals are the body’s hub for sexual energy and libido.

Eating goji berries can increase testosterone levels, stimulating libido for both men and women.

Libido Goji Food

They may even be able to treat metabolic syndrome which is a precursor to erectile dysfunction. These bright red berries are recommended by nutritionists to help people look and feel younger and improve stamina, mood, and well-being which can give you more sexual confidence.

10. Maca

This ancient Peruvian root has been used for centuries, but it gained popularity over the last few years in the health and wellness industry. But maca is not just a popular superfood; it’s also a well-known aphrodisiac. Similar to watermelon, some people consider it to be “nature’s Viagra.”

Aphrodisiac Maca

The maca root grows in the Andes over 4,000 meters above sea level. In Peru, it has been known as a sex-enhancing food for a very long time. The Incas coveted maca for its aphrodisiac qualities and wide range of benefits to the body’s hormonal system.

According to Organic Authority, “the maca plant is used by the Peruvian culture to increase strength, stamina, energy, fertility, and libido.”

The sweet root vegetable has been shown to boost libido and assist with erectile dysfunction in animal studies. Humans have also experienced increased sexual desire after eating foods or supplements containing maca.

11. Pomegranates

The pomegranate fruit is a superfood packed with tons of antioxidants.

Eating pomegranates can help generate blood flow throughout your body, including the penis and clitoris.

As a result, many people experience increased genital sensitivity. Studies suggest that drinking pomegranate juice might even help with erectile dysfunction.

Libido Pomegranates

According to Science 2.0, in a four-week study where men drank eight ounces of pomegranate juice per day, “almost half of the test subjects experienced a benefit simply by adding pomegranate juice to their daily diet, without the use of ED drugs.”

12. Honey

This ooey-gooey, sticky-sweet food has many sexy qualities. Because honey is created through the pollination process, it symbolizes procreation and fertility.

Honey consists of boron which regulates testosterone and estrogen levels.

It also contains nitric oxide, a gas released from the blood during arousal.

Aphrodisiac Honey

In ancient Greece, honey was prescribed to increase sexual vigor. Similar to dark chocolate, honey can be played with during sex. Grab your partner and take turns licking it off each other’s bodies!

13. Ginseng

Ginseng is a root herb used for tons of therapeutic remedies in both foods and supplements.

Libido Ginseng

According to Medical News Today, it can “boost energy, lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reduce stress, promote relaxation, treat diabetes, and manage sexual dysfunction in men.”

Some believe it can boost your libido and sexual performance by stimulating the central nervous system and increasing energy levels.

14. Red Wine

It might seem obvious, but red wine is considered to be one of the best and most powerful aphrodisiacs.

Red Wine for Libido

It contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that decreases inflammation and stimulates blood flow throughout the body.

Try red wine with a little dark chocolate––the two are a powerhouse pair in the world of libido foods. The mixture of alcohol with the phenylethylamine in chocolate can really ramp up your dopamine, making you feel relaxed and turned on.

Hopefully, this list of aphrodisiac foods got you thinking about foreplay….or maybe now you’re just a little hungry?

Either way, trying out libido foods can be fun, harmless, and totally worth your while. Get creative with these ingredients and maybe whip up an aphrodisiac smoothie with bananas, honey, chocolate, and maca! Even if you don’t believe in the power of aphrodisiacs, incorporating these healthy foods into your diet will help you look and feel your best which, at the very least, can only improve your sex life.

You can also check some other ways to increase your libido!

Make sure to check out Beducated's Libido & Desire Online Courses
category-massage.png

About the author

Mariah Freya

Mariah Freya, the founder of Beducated and a TEDx speaker, is dedicated to empowering individuals through sexual education. As a Sexual Empowerment Coach, she offers transformative techniques to help others unlock their full potential as extraordinary lovers. Mariah's mission is to liberate sexuality and promote personal growth through pleasure and deep connections. Through her work at Beducated and her engaging content, she is making a global impact on the way we perceive and embrace our sexual selves. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.