Miss Seal The connection between food and desire is quite interesting. J.H. Kellogg (of Kellogg's cereal) originally advertised his corn flakes as an anti-aphrodisiac. He wrote a whole handbook of morals (
Plain Facts for Old and Young), explaining the need to quell the beast within and not take many liberties. Corn Flakes, a simple and modest food, were meant to cool off desire. His brother suggested Frosted Flakes, which defeated the whole purpose of the enterprise.
Aphrodisiac foods that advertise as such include chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, strawberries, wine, truffles, vanilla, almonds, avocado (named after the Aztec word for "testicle"), oysters, nutmeg, pine nuts, ginger and honey. Is anyone turned on by simply reading this?
I read somewhere that cinnamon is the number one aphrodisiac for women - the more commonly known one is chocolate. When I said this to a friend's aunt on vacation, she pulled out a whole container of cinnamon from her handbag and offered me some. She remains my favorite aunt.
A surprising aphrodisiac from the list is coffee. One of my psychology professors built a whole lesson on how to score on a date. One theory of attraction is that it's physiological. When your emotions are heightened, you may attribute this feeling to attraction, when it actually comes from other sources. One study had an attractive woman taking surveys in the middle of a bridge. On days when it was extremely windy and the bridge moved a little, more men said they were attracted to her and felt a rush of exhilaration. This feeling of exhilaration most probably came from outside conditions (like the crazy weather), but they attributed it to the interviewer.
People apparently respond with the same physiological reaction when they view action movies and when they view steamy love scenes. Lesson to be learned: take your girlfriend to an action movie to be less obvious.
The discussion ended with my professor telling everyone to treat their significant other to an espresso at the end of a date. He said that in fifteen minutes, they'd begin to feel the rush of the coffee, and attribute it to yours truly, and then he winked.
Who says college is impractical?
So, do you think that aphrodisiacs really work? Do you treat your significant other to any of these foods? What is your favorite aphrodisiac?
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Comments (27)
I'm a psych major and my prof. told me the same thing and used that same bridge scenario. It's very interesting and I do believe some foods heighten or create physical reactions that cause desire. What works for me are chocolate, strawberries, avocado, oysters, and wine. But the wine may work because of the alcohol content, either way eating or drinking any of these would get me in the mood.
Hmm...interesting.
I remember talking about that bridge study in psych class when I was in 12th grade. I thought it was extremely interesting. That said, I don't know if aphrodisiacs work, but even if they don't, you can't ignore the placebo effect that will still affect some people.
I heard that bridge example a few weeks back in my Psychology class
I dunno, I don't think I ever got the aphrodisiacs thing... me and my last ex often enjoyed chocolate covered strawberries. Because we both liked chocolate and strawberries. I think the idea of aphrodisiacs is silly.
I totally think aphrodisiacs work. There is a very close tie between the sensualness of certain foods and the sensual feelings you feel towards a certain person.
Some foods are just SEXY!
Plus, when you are around something like coffee, or hot chocolate, something that opens and indulges your senses more than they already are, it tends to open your eyes to other things. Sensations are heightened, and you seem to see things in a different light, all because your senses are on overdrive.
Something that people should look into is Maca. It's a natural substance often used by raw vegans and naturalists for minerals and fiber, but it's also a VERY strong aphrodisiac. Not kidding at all.
brings new meaning to "lets go out for coffee"
I recently watched a special on sexual attraction (I watch a lot of the Discovery Health channel.. leave me alone..), and some researchers carried out an experiment on this. They tested blood pressure & body heat of people interacting in an isolated environment with no food, and then in the same environment while eating chocolate covered strawberries, oysters, asparagus, etc. The results showed that supposed aphrodisiacs made no difference in physical factors. Any perceived increases in arousal are just due to placebo effect.
However there are drugs & herbs that can increase blood flow, and hence, arousal. But I don't think your date would be too happy eating yohimbe bark.
I was told the same example in my social psychology class (that was a year ago), and I also thought it was very interesting.
Well, we both like well made sweets (although me, a lot more so) and he's allergic to strawberries haha.Â
I think something could be said for barbecue? It sounds silly (and maybe it's because I associate with summer and freedom) but something about pork ribs... purrow!! hahahaha XD
I think that yes, some foods are aphrodisiacs for exactly the reasons that your prof described. When we eat these food around people, the euphoric (and other) reactions that we get are attributed to the people who are with us.
Cinnamon has been used as an aphrodisiac for women for ages--it's flavorful and spicy. It heightens the senses and also makes one feel adventurous--it sounds crazy, but it shouldn't be much of a surprise. Ditto goes for vanilla and citrus although they both create different atmospheres. At the same time, these very distinct, unique smells and flavors create a sort of exotic air, not to mention that for full enjoyment they require ALL the senses.
Yes, ALL of them ;)
I see most of the aphrodisiac food are aromatic and sweet. So it all comes to taste, literally, huh??
ALCOHOL. all of this other stuff is a load of crap.
there's a scientific study that says that foods don't boost your sex drive, but the human mind tricks us into thinking that chocolates, strawberries, and oysters will up your libido. some interesting psychology.
this explains a lot..
strawberries work
i pinky promise.
Sushi does it for me lol
yeah, I've read articles that denounce foods as aphrodisiacs, and that oysters are only on that list because they look like...yeah...
but other than that, interesting association point
I will never eat avocados now. ... Lol.
I don't know whether they work or not. I love chocolate-covered strawberries though.
That's really interesting. I've never thought of coffee as an aphrodisiac. Maybe this is why so many people go on coffee dates...
"One study had an attractive woman taking surveys in the middle of a
bridge. On days when it was extremely windy and the bridge moved a
little, more men said they were attracted to her and felt a rush of
exhilaration. This feeling of exhilaration most probably came from
outside conditions (like the crazy weather), but they attributed it to
the interviewer."
i've read this somewhere too, it's actually fear that causes the andreline rush.
and too bad i don't drink coffee ):
@jennielee@xanga - Um... no, I'm pretty sure alcohol just gets you drunk, which makes you lose your inhibitions.
Besides, people's bodies/minds react in different ways to aphrodisiacs, so just because they may not work for you doesn't mean that they're "crap".
i personaly love oysters, chocolate..etc. however i dont' notice anything really. you want a true aphrodesiac....drink alcohol! lol. that turns anyone on..why..blood rushes to your clit or penis...you feel a tingle down there....you can't help but want to do something about it! HAHA!
Scientifically, supposedly, aphrodisiacs don't exist. There are no foods that are guaranteed to incite or entice a sexual response or sensual feelings in another person.
That said, it's all in the head. It's either placebo effect, where it's an aphrodisiac because the person eating it sincerely believes it's an aphrodisiac and thus, by eating it, has their sensual and sexual feelings aroused. Or, to take it one step further, it can be a food that elicits a physical response - heightened energy, inexplicable happiness, etc, which, by themselves, don't elicit an emotional/physical response like horniness or attraction or whatever - and if the person attributes this response to you, or believes that this response is from an aphrodisiac and then connects it to feeling aroused.... then it becomes an aphrodisiac.
Which is why chocolate and coffee are thought of aphrodisiacs. Chocolate is an anti-depressant and coffee, with its caffeine, is a stimulant.
So the moral of the story is - it's whatever you believe or your partner believes is an aphrodisiac, and if the food actually does have a physical effect on the body, all the more power to you. So long as that physical effect isn't an allergic reaction. Yeah... that'd put a quick end to that romantic feeling.
One of these days, try pineapple and lemon-buttered asparagus. I hear those two are the best aphrodisiacs.
I am currently going through a terrible menopause (read: total lack of libido). So i'm thinking, what if i just subsist on a diet comprised totally of these foods...will i maybe get my groove back?? LOL...the fact that i adore all these foods certainly can't hurt..
haha that's interestinggg
i wonder if that really has any effect though.
i just eat when i'm hungrrrry