An aphrodisiac refers to a food or drug that produces feelings of sexual arousal, increases pleasure and/or performance; so, it’s no wonder that people are interested in finding out more about these foods which supposedly bring on desire.

Some of the most well-known food aphrodisiacs (which are meant to stimulate the senses) are raw oysters, champagne, chocolate, coffee, chili, and watermelon. But have you ever wondered why these foods are considered to be an aphrodisiac in the first place?

It has a lot to do with how they affect your body, and according to WebMD, aphrodisiacs typically fall into five categories; the first would be foods that cause a rise in your temperature like chili's, which are thought to create a heated passion. Second, would be foods that look sexual and resemble male or female genitalia, then there are the exotic foods which are thought of as being sexually exciting, and foods that are reproductive (like caviar) which were thought to have an effect on the mood. And lastly, foods that stimulate the senses.

Women’s Health interviewed Kat van Kirk, Ph.D., about what foods can get you in the mood and how that is meant to happen. She said, “Consuming aphrodisiac foods may increase blood flow to the genitals, release natural bio-chemicals in the body to help you feel more aroused and relaxed, or provide nutrients that improve the health of the sex organs.”

Other foods can get you in the mood simply because they are associated with being intimate (bananas are phallic in shape, although they bromelain which activates testosterone). Taking a closer look at some of the aforementioned foods we note how they individually affect the body, for example, chocolate causes a spike in dopamine which makes you feel good, oysters contain amino acids, which according to Reader’s Digest activates the production of sex hormones. They are also high in zinc which promotes testosterone production.

And then watermelon is considered a fantastic love drug because it reportedly has a “Viagra-like effect on the body,” it also relaxes the blood vessels and improves circulation, which is linked to an improved sex drive.

But do these aphrodisiac foods actually work or is it all in our heads? According to Organic Authority, Dr. Nalini Chilkov L.Ac., O.M.D., claims “Love foods that stimulate desire are prized in cultures worldwide. These foods have circulatory, relaxant and muscle strengthening effects, or visual, tactile or sensory impact that stimulates the psyche. The brain, after all, is the largest sexual organ in the body.” So, maybe it's a bit of both?!

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