game theory

Having good sex is an important part of human life. The food we eat and how much we drink are two factors that play a huge part in bedroom performance. The other night I went to a bar for tapas. Turned out everything we ordered for dinner would be considered an aphrodisiac well, in the traditional sense anyway. History tells us oysters increase our libidos and it got me to thinking about the foods bars and clubs are putting on their menus. Perhaps there is a hidden agenda there somewhere? I decided to find out exactly what foods are responsible for “getting us in the mood”.

There are many theories as to what gets our engine roaring down stairs. Vanessa Gore, sexologist from NSW Sexology Services said the idea of food being an aphrodisiac isn’t new. “The word aphrodisiac comes from the Greek God Aphrodite,” said Gore. “Aphrodite was said to be born in the sea which is perhaps why many types of seafood have reputations as aphrodisiacs. Oysters for example, have been known as a mood elevator because they contain zinc – the mineral responsible for producing testosterone. Research has also shown that two types of amino acids present in oysters bring on a rush of sex hormones. If you’re like me though and oysters aren’t your thing, beans, pork, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, brown rice and peanuts will do the trick with similar affects.

More recently, wine and other sweet delights have joined the list of libido lifters. In 2009, a team of doctors at the University of Florence for example, found a link between red wine and a woman’s libido. The research, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, found that a glass or two of red wine increased a woman’s feelings of sexuality. Doctors who conducted the study weren’t exactly sure of the reasons behind the results, but one theory claims that antioxidants in red wine widens the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to all the right parts of the body.  All the more reason to buy a girl at glass or wine next time you are at a bar or nightclub.

Wine goes hand-in-hand with chocolate so it’s only fitting that this sweet, sugary delight produces pleasure to parts of the body aside from our taste buds. A separate study done in Italy found that women who ate chocolate [especially dark chocolate], had more satisfying sex lives. Research says the chemical phenlethylamine found in dark chocolate produces endorphins which give rushing sensations below the belt and gives us the feeling of being in love.  Fortunately almost all cocktail bars serves a “Tobelerone” or some kind of chocolate cocktail.

However, not all foods to increase our libidos are as sweet and easy to eat. I hope you’re a fan of vegetables like celery and avocado as they contain the male hormone androsterone which acts as a pheromone, also known as a chemical in the body to bring on feelings of female attraction. After just a few mouthfuls, the pheromone begins to release from a mans sweat glands – when he’s excited. Its not all vegetables though – munch on a banana for vitamin B which turns carbohydrates into energy helping you last longer in the bedroom. Vanessa Gore said that bananas were also rich in potassium and bromelain which helps support sex hormones. “Bananas are also said to boost arousal due to their phallic appearance.

Vanessa said the foods that kick start the engines of females are mostly the same ones which rev up males. “Chilies, curries, and other spicy foods have been viewed as aphrodisiacs because their physiological effects–a raised heart rate and sometimes sweating – a similar physical reaction experienced during sex.” Asparagus has folate to produce histamine which is the chemical in the body necessary to bring both men and women to orgasm. You could also have a little ginger to stimulate the circulatory system and therefore, increase the blood flow to the genitals.

Research from Columbia University says the older women get, the less they feel like having sex. The Columbian study – done in 2007, found products containing soy like milk, cheese and yoghurt kept the vaginal area lubricated and the prostate healthy. The studies also found chili stimulated nerve endings and that anything that was good for the heart, was good for the penis because eating to much fat means arteries become clogged over time, blocking the blood flow to the genital region. Vanessa said Papaya and licorice were estrogenic, meaning they have compounds that act as the female hormone, estrogen. “These foods have been used as a folk remedy in promoting menstruation and milk production, facilitating childbirth and increasing the female libido.

However, Vanessa said the mind is the greatest aphrodisiac we have. “If we associate a certain food with feeling good then when we eat it we will feel good and will be more in the mood for sex.”  Thats why despite the research, champagne tops most peoples list of aphrodesiac’s, which again is why most guys are more then happy to shout this at bars and nightclubs worldwide.

Next time I head out for tapas, I’ll know what made my friends and me a little randy. I mean, a meal of fresh oysters on Champaign, soy goat’s cheese scones, chili and asparagus tarts, flamed ginger prawns and amazing red wine is sure to get anyone excited right?