Soul Mating

The old saying goes that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. For some foods, this old adage just might hold some truth. While chocolate is a more traditional way to get you an your sweetheart in the mood, there are many different foods out there that can be just as sensual and possibly even stimulate sexual arousal and performance. Here’s a list we’ve put together of foods you can prepare to help put you in the mood.

Fruits

Instead of romancing your sweetie with chocolate covered strawberries, try one of these sensual fruits instead.

1. Pineapple: Not only is pineapple a sweet and delicious treat, it also contains vitamin C, a homeopathic remedy for impotence.
2. Raspberries: Like strawberries, raspberries have been considered a sensual fruit for ages because of their ease in hand feeding to a lover and their sensual shape.
3. Avocado: The ancient name the Aztecs had for the avocado was Ahuacuatl or in English, testicle tree. Aside from this resemblance to genitalia, the fruit’s texture can make it a delicious savory treat for a date.
4. Figs: Figs have a long history as a sensual fruit. In some cultures, the breaking open of a fig in front of a lover was considered a highly erotic act. Regardless of your feelings about figs, they can be a great food to share with a partner to put you both in the mood.
5. Peach: While the peaches velvety skin and sensuous curves have often been compared to those of a woman, the peach packs more than just a great package to help boost sex drive. It also contains potassium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins A and C– all needed to enhance performance in the bedroom.
6. Grapes: The history of the grape as an aphrodisiac goes back to the Greek god Dionysus, god of both wine and fertility. Since then, grapes have enjoyed a reputation as an aphrodisiac and can be slowly fed to your sweetheart for a romantic night in.
7. Pomegranate: Ancient Greeks and Romans associated this fruit with the goddess Aphrodite as its many seeds, color and shape were seen as sensual. This fruit was also recommended as an aphrodisiac by the Kama Sutra. Pomegranates are packed with nutrients so share one with your special someone soon.
8. Banana: Besides the obvious phallic connotations of the banana, the banana contains potassium and B vitamins that are essential to the production of sex hormones. Originating in Asia, today the banana is eaten around the world and enjoyed as an aphrodisiacs in many countries.

Veggies

Veggies may not seem particularly romantic, but people have sworn by many of these foods for centuries when it comes to their sexual effects.

9. Arugula: This food, similar to lettuce, was considered an aphrodisiac by the ancient Romans and Egyptians. Its spicy taste can help clear the mind and it contains several vitamins necessary for sexual function.
10. Asparagus: Aside from its particularly suggestive shape, asparagus has many nutrients that can help boost sex drive. Among these is vitamin E, which helps stimulate production of sex hormones.
11. Chile Peppers: Adding chile peppers to a meal can spice things up in more ways than one. Chile peppers contain capsaicin which stimulates our nerve endings and gives us the sensation of heat when we eat a particularly hot chile. This chemical may also help stimulate the release of endorphins creating a natural high that can put you in the mood.
12. Carrots: Carrots not only have a sexy shape, they contain substances that can act as a stimulant for males. This veggie has been used to aid sexual relations since ancient times, so why not indulge in a piece of carrot cake?
13. Celery: Celery at first may not seem like much of a sexy vegetable, but it truly can be. Celery is thought to stimulate the pituitary gland, essential in the release of sexual hormones.
14. Leeks: This relative to the onion was considered to be an aphrodisiac by the ancient Greeks, probably due largely in part to its suggestive shape.
15. Radishes: Ancient Egyptians considered radishes among the best of the aphrodisiacs as its slightly spicy taste may have stimulated the palate and put lovers in the mood.
16. Onions: Often mixed with honey and sesame seeds, two other aphrodisiacs, ancient Greeks believed the onion to be a highly sensual food. Just make sure to brush your teeth afterwards!

Herbs and Spices

Spice up a dish or taste these herbs and spices on their own to help get you in the mood.

18. Gingko: While more commonly taken to prevent memory loss in aging adults, Gingko may also have some properties that can make it great for enhancing sexual function as well. It’s thought to widen the blood vessels in genital tissues, helping overcome some forms of sexual dysfunction. Those with heart disease should not take it, however, as it could cause serious side effects.
19. Anise: The ancient Greeks and Romans would suck on anise seeds as a means of increasing sexual desire. Today’s science tells us that anise does exude estrogenic compounds which can motivate sexual desire in much the same way as testosterone.
20. Basil: While it may seem more appropriate to top your spaghetti with, women in some ancient cultures used to dust their breasts with basil, believing it to drive men wild. Some research suggests that it may indeed have circulation boosting effects that can make it a valuable aphrodisiac.
21. Ginseng: New medical reports give credit to ginseng’s claim as an aphrodisiac. Subjects treated with ginseng were found to have significantly higher erectile function that those who were not. It’s thought to increase overall performance and libido as well.
22. Vanilla: The sexual power of vanilla, the real kind not the synthetic variety, is in its aroma. Add it to a bath to share with your special someone for a particularly arousing experience.
23. Saffron: Ancient stories place saffron as both a powerful stimulator for both men and women. Try a paella or a middle eastern dish that centers around the spice for a delicious and sensual experience.
24. Nutmeg: This spice has been found to increase mating behavior in laboratory mice (though the same effect hasn’t been proven in humans) and has been prized as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years. Just be sure not to consume too much, as the spice can cause hallucinations if taken in large quantities.
25. Ginger: Ginger has been a popular aphrodisiac in Asia for thousands of years, and is often purported as a remedy for impotence either by eating or rubbing the ginger on the skin. Ginger does have properties that stimulate the circulatory system, so these claims may have some basis in fact.
26. Garlic: Garlic is known to increase circulation, allowing more blood to quickly reach the sexual organs and aid in arousal. Both eating garlic and rubbing it on the skin directly have been said to aid in sexual stimulation, though many may be put off by the strong smell.
27. Cloves: Well known in China as an aphrodisiac, cloves also aid in digestion making you more comfortable and ready to get busy.
28. Cardamom: This spice has long been used as a preventative against sexual dysfunction and premature ejaculation. It contains cineole which has been shown to increase blood flow where it’s applied.
29. Fennel: Considered a powerful sexual stimulant in places like Greece and India, this herb has long been associated with increasing sexual desire and performance in men. Just make sure you don’t eat too much, as it can be toxic in large quantities.

Exotic and Expensive

These foods may boost your desire, but they can also be hard to come by, expensive and sometimes dangerous.

30. Spanish Fly: Spanish fly is made from the dried body of a special emerald green beetle, which irritates the tissues of the urinary tract and can send a rush of blood to the genitals. Of course, while it may be effective at stimulating sexual arousal, it is also incredibly dangerous and can cause permanent damage to the kidneys and genitals if too much is taken.
31. Yohimbine: This substance, extracted from the bark of an African evergreen, has proven to be an effective treatment for male impotence. Those willing to try it can often get it through a prescription from a doctor, but users should beware as it’s not without its side effects.
32. Coco-De-Mer: Sometimes referred to as the "most indecent fruit in the world", this rare nut not only looks like a female’s behind, but the interior is said to be a powerful aphrodisiac Getting your hands on one may be difficult, however, as they grow only on two islands in the Seychelles.
33. Caviar: This food is often associated with the lifestyles of the rich, and the rarer forms of caviar certainly are out of the price range of most. If you can procure this dish for you and your sweetheart, it can boost your levels of zinc, stimulating the formation of testosterone.
34. Absinthe: Absinthe enjoys a reputation as one of the more dangerous varieties of alcohol, blamed for many imbibers going crazy, and was banned in many places around the world. Today the ban has been lifted in many places and absinthe is readily available for consumption.
35. Shark: Much controversy surrounds the consumption of shark as an aphrodisiac as demand for the fins in Asia has driven some species to near extinction. Those worried about harming the environment should stay away from the shark fins, often harvested in a cruel and wasteful way, and focus on the meat of the shark instead. It contains loads of proteins for energy and magnesium and selenium which aid in sperm production.
36. Puffer Fish: Considered a delicacy in Japan, if this fish is not prepared correctly it’s incredibly toxic when even the tiniest amount is consumed. This brush with death can boost endorphins and raise sex drive, but of course it’s not for everyone.

Sweet and Savory

Explore both sides of your palate with these sexy foods.

37. Pumpkin Pie: This food may not seem sexy at first, but studies have shown that men find the smell extremely sexually arousing, in some cases causing up to 40 percent more blood flow to the genitals. Women also found the smell erotic, but found cucumber and licorice to be more so.
38. Whipped cream: Whether you choose to eat it off of a piece of pie or off of each other, this fluffy treat can be a great way to get you and your partner in the mood.
39. Oysters: Perhaps one of the most traditional of aphrodisiac foods, oysters at first don’t seem particularly sexy for many. While the texture may not appeal to everyone, it’s been found that they contain substantial levels of zinc– a mineral required to produce testosterone boosting sex drive in both men and women.
40. Buttered Popcorn: Don’t think buttered popcorn is sexy? A study found that the smell of this treat increased blood flow to the penis by 9 percent, so go ahead and order that popcorn at the movies.
41. Licorice: Licorice was used in ancient China to stimulate love and lust and that usage may have been right on the mark. Modern research has shown that the smell of licorice increases sexual arousal in males by as much as 13 percent, making it a decidedly sexy smell.
42. Truffles: People in ancient times as well as today prize this mushroom for its musky scent and unique flavor. Some believe that truffles’ scent resembles that of the male pheromone andostrenone and can stimulate not only the palate but the body as well.
43. Honey: Aside from the obvious sexual connotations of this sticky sweet substance, honey is rich in vitamin B– needed in testosterone production as well as boron which helps the body to use estrogen.

Miscellaneous

Get in the mood with some help from this variety of foods.

44. Pine Nuts: While pine nuts seem to lack any sort of sexiness, some consider them to be one of the most potent aphrodisiacs. The best of these come from high in the Himalayas and are a staple in the diet of the surrounding cultures, many of which have notably high birth rates. They’re also rich in zinc, a mineral necessary for male potency.
45. Mulled wine: Alcohol, when consumed in moderation can be a powerful aphrodisiac as it lowers inhibitions and in women raises the level of testosterone increasing sexual desire. Many ancient and medieval cultures consumed a variety of red wine concoctions in order to boost their libidos and you can too. It’s an especially good treat to warm up on a cold night.
46. Almonds: Almonds have been a symbol of fertility throughout the ages and the smell is thought to increase sexual desire in women so whip up a delicious almond dish for your lovely lady to help get her in the mood.
47. Salmon: Salmon can serve as an integral part of a romantic dinner and you can enjoy the effects of its aphrodisiac properties long after. It’s rich in vitamins which lift the libido, contains omega-3s which elevate seratonin levels, and contains loads of protein which is essential for energy and stamina.
48. Champagne: Champagne not only has an association with celebration but the steady stream of bubbles it emits allows it to be more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream giving the drinker a warm, fuzzy feeling of intoxication. Some studies have also suggested that the smells of certain champagnes mimics that of female pheromones.
49. Coffee: Due to the stimulating effects of caffeine, coffee can be a great way to wake up both your mind and body and leave you ready for a long night of passion.
50. Oatmeal: Oatmeal is near the bottom of most people’s lists of sexy foods but eating concentrated amounts of oats has been shown to increase testosterone levels and raise sex drive in men.
51. Damiana: This flowering plant has been used to make traditional teas in many South American countries since the time of the Aztecs. These ancient peoples may have been onto something as research has shown that it does contain chemicals that can increase sensitivity in the genitals.

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