Aphrodisiacs: Food and Sex

As Valentine's Day is approaching, our attention turns to the sensual side of our senses. Ackerman states on page 130, “Sexual hunger and physical hunger have always been allies.” Restaurants are currently preparing their menus full of foods to be served called aphrodisiacs. Newspapers and magazines are publishing articles about what to whip up for your loved one in the kitchen this February 14th with tips on using aphrodisiacs to set the mood. Foods like oysters, champagne, asparagus, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, bananas, avocados, blowfish, eels, cucumber, tomatoes, honey, coffee, cinnamon, chilies, ginger, garlic, figs, caviar, chocolate, and the list goes on. Aphrodisiacs have been used throughout history from Elizabethan brothels offering prunes to Marquis de Sade lacing his bon bons with spanish fly that he served to his friends and prostitutes, reported by Ackerman on page 131. But what makes these rumored foods so sexual and what exactly are they doing to our bodies?  

One idea why food is considered to be so sexual, is its shape. Just the mere structure of these aphrodisiacs alone might get our minds thinking subconsciously about sex. Phallic shaped foods like bananas, leeks, and asparagus are all praised as aphrodisiacs, as well as vaginal reminiscently shaped oysters and figs. Ackerman also argues these aphrodisiacs are physical as well since we ingest food with our mouths. Since we humans use the mouth so often in a sexual way, it is no wonder why we see food as sensual. Most courting between partners happens with dates, usually having a theme of having food at restaurants. To most people, a very romantic gesture is when a partner cooks for them or buys them chocolates. Our culture is very centered around romance and food.

There is little scientific evidence to support if any of these foods are actually aphrodisiacs. Besides foods, such a spicy peppers, that cause enhanced bodily sensations, most foods cannot be backed up by science to actually say they have any effect on sexual performance. So even though this Valentine's Day those chocolate covered strawberries might not help in bed, it’s still the thought that counts, right?