We decided to investigate whether foods like chocolate, oysters (and other seafood), or avocado promote potency and enhance sexual desire, as these foods are believed to have such properties.
Aphrodisiacs stimulate sexual arousal and are named after the ancient Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. They are divided into two main groups: psycho-physiological (visual, auditory, olfactory, etc.) and internal (i.e., ingested through food or drink). This text will focus on the second group and exclude the first group, as well as drugs, narcotics, and alcohol. Our investigation will explore whether foods that are often classified as aphrodisiacs can increase libido (i.e., sexual desire, the desire to engage in sexual contact) and enhance male potency (i.e., physical ability to perform a sexual act).
Different cultures and historical periods have attributed stimulating properties to dozens of foods, such as oysters (which were rumored to have been eaten by the famous lover Giacomo Casanova before his dates), caviar, artichokes, and chocolate. The reasons for this attribution vary. For example, some foods are considered stimulating because they resemble genitalia, such as oysters, ginger and ginseng roots, and asparagus. Others are linked to reproduction in the animal world, such as caviar, eggs, and the meat of reproductive organs of animals. A third type of food causes a physiological reaction similar to arousal, such as spicy foods that make a person feel hot. However, the list of supposed aphrodisiac foods extends beyond these examples and also includes honey, avocado, watermelon, some plants, and much more.
Authoritative studies confirming the effectiveness of products commonly referred to as aphrodisiacs have been difficult to find. For instance, specialists at Mayo Clinic, which is one of the world’s largest medical research centers, have noted that chocolate seems to be ineffective in terms of libido and potency in both men and women. Similarly, in 2010, researchers from the Royal University of Kingston in Canada reached the same conclusion.
In 2015, researchers from the University of California, Irvine in the United States conducted a review of existing scientific works on aphrodisiacs. Their findings suggest that the effectiveness of products attributed with the ability to stimulate potency, such as honey (excluding “mad honey,” which will be discussed separately), oysters, and chocolate, has not been proven. The scientists also found no evidence to support the attributed stimulating properties of rhinoceros horn powder, which is hunted by poachers. While some exotic products, such as ginkgo, ginseng, maca, and tribulus, show promising results, there is still insufficient data to make definite conclusions about their effectiveness.
While the effectiveness of many products considered aphrodisiacs has not been proven, it is important to note that many of these foods are highly nutritious and contain vitamins and beneficial microelements that can aid with erectile dysfunction or infertility. For instance, specialists from Johns Hopkins Medical School in the United States suggest that many men experiencing erection problems have a vitamin D deficiency that can be replenished by adding seafood and egg yolks to their diet. Zinc, which is essential for erectile ability and male fertility, can be obtained from oysters, crabs, and nuts. L-carnitine, found in asparagus and avocados, has also shown effectiveness in male infertility. Thus, for individuals experiencing problems due to a lack of these substances, some aphrodisiacs can indeed be highly effective. However, for individuals who do not have such problems, there may not be any visible effect. A healthy, balanced diet can be beneficial for heart and blood vessel health, which is directly related to potency and libido, as well as overall well-being and, as a result, may indirectly affect sexual health.
In addition, experts note that products can work as aphrodisiacs thanks to the placebo effect, if the person consuming them truly believes in their effectiveness.
Despite being attributed aphrodisiac properties for centuries, chocolate can not only fail to increase but even decrease sexual desire. In 2021, scientists from the University of California in San Diego (USA) conducted a study where they asked over 700 men and women over 20 years old about their chocolate consumption and sexual desire level. The results showed that women who ate chocolate more often had a lower interest in sexual contact, while there was no significant correlation for men. Ironically, according to the National Confectioners Association in the USA, 92% of Americans planned to give chocolate or candy to their significant others on Valentine’s Day in 2023.
In 2015, Corinne Miller, an American journalist, conducted an experiment where she ate foods considered aphrodisiacs all day and recorded her impressions. She felt nothing but nausea due to overeating on the day of the experiment, despite consuming honey, avocado, oysters, chocolate, watermelon, and other products. Miller believes that the aphrodisiacs began to work the next day. However, she notes that she probably wouldn’t have noticed the difference if she hadn’t been closely monitoring her libido, which brings us back to the placebo effect.
Consuming some exotic substances that are traditionally used as aphrodisiacs can be seriously dangerous. For instance, mad honey, which was mentioned earlier, can cause nausea, dizziness, and heart problems. This is because it is made from rhododendron, a plant that contains grayanotoxin, a poisonous substance found in its pollen.
Spanish fly is another potentially dangerous remedy. It is believed that consuming the powder made from these insects can increase potency. However, cantharidin, a toxic substance used by these animals as a protective mechanism, can cause nausea, bloody vomiting, irritation of the urinary tract, and kidney dysfunction. In rare cases, patients can experience priapism, a prolonged erection that does not end with orgasm. Priapism can lead to tissue damage and the development of erectile dysfunction, which is hardly the effect that people expect from an aphrodisiac.
China has another dangerous aphrodisiac called “chan-su,” also known as the “stone of love.” It is made from toxins of the bufotoad, which contains cardioactive steroids. Consuming these substances can cause heart problems and even lead to death.
Yohimbine, a substance extracted from the bark of the yohimbe tree, is also believed to be an aphrodisiac. However, using it can lead to side effects such as tachycardia, chills, nausea, mania, and headaches. There have also been reports of fatal cases associated with its use.
Currently, there are relatively few scientific studies on the effectiveness of aphrodisiacs. However, the existing research does not confirm the effectiveness of products such as oysters, chocolate, honey, avocado, and even rhino horn powder. Some exotic plants, such as ginkgo or ginseng, may have a similar effect, but more research is necessary to confirm their effectiveness. Furthermore, some substances that are reputed to be aphrodisiacs can be dangerous to one’s health. Maintaining a healthy diet can have a beneficial effect on the body, including sexual function. For serious health problems, specialists recommend consulting a doctor instead of relying on mythical aphrodisiacs.
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