Food to turn you on

Chilli Peppers

Chilies can assist you with getting yourself in the right state of mind. Eat some heat and you’ll start to feel you’re turned on. The spice in peppers quickens the pulse, induces sweating and releases endorphins, mimicking what happens when you’re sexually aroused.

Buttered Popcorn

Does the smell of certain foods turn you on? Apparently, that’s not just because you’re a big-time foodie. Alan Hirsch, the neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, ran a study that found that the smell of buttered popcorn increased blood flow to the penis by 9 per cent. Huh. Movie night.

Bananas

The shape of the fruit alone is a good enough aphrodisiac for some, but did you know that it in fact has properties that stimulate your sex drive? Not only does it have plenty of potassium and vitamin B, both of which are key cogs in the production of sex hormones, but it also has the bromelain enzyme, which is said to spark male libido and combat impotence.

Pomegranate

Arousal is all about blood flow. In that regard, pomegranate is your friend. It is packed with antioxidants that protect the lining of the blood vessels. Beyond that, a study from the Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh found that drinking pomegranate juice over a span of two weeks raised testosterone levels. Keep that in mind if you want to boost an appetite for desire.

Avocados

Did you know that the Aztecs used to call the avocado tree the “testicle tree”? That’s because the fruits hang in pairs — like, well, you know. Avocados are rich in beta carotene, magnesium and vitamin E, which in some circles is known as the “sex vitamin” because it helps in the production of sex hormones.

Watermelon

Bet you didn’t think that watermelon had some Viagra-like qualities to it, did you? A study on watermelon showed that it’s high in a nutrient called citrulline, which helps improve blood flow in the body. The difference is that Viagra is for a more targeted area whereas watermelon is more general, but it still helps.

Garlic

Garlic breath can be a huge turn-off for many of us but the vegetable contains a property called allicin, which helps with the blood flow circulation of the whole body. And you know what the good blood flow is important for, right?

Red Wine

A study in 2009 showed that women who drink red wine had a stronger appetite for sex. Now you know what to order on those dates. As for men, we can take solace in the fact that it merely relaxes you and helps with the blood flow in the body. In the game of seduction, musky, masculine reds are best. Play with earthy Pinots like those from Burgundy and Oregon.

Walnuts

Zinc is a key player in regulating the activity of your prostate and sexual activity. Looking to get yourself a dose of this essential mineral? Walnuts have some of the highest levels of zinc. For male sexual health, nuts are especially effective in combination with honey.