Aphrodisiacs around the globe

For thousands of years, people have made connections between certain foods and passionate behavior. While it is hard to prove that something is indeed an aphrodisiac, you can argue that some foods have a romantically enticing effect on people. Whether their powers are derived from scent, shape, or energy-packed nutrients, here are some foods that have been considered to heighten passion in men and women around the world.

Oysters, Ancient Rome

Oysters have long been the most clichéd of all aphrodisiacs. In fact, Casanova, the infamous 18th-century womanizer, supposedly ate 50 raw oysters for breakfast each morning. According to WebMD.com, oysters contain dopamine, which stirs up feelings of pleasure, as well as zinc, which promotes the production of testosterone.

Asparagus, Great Britain

In the 1700’s, herbalist Nicholas Culpepper wrote that green vegetables like asparagus “stir up lust in man and woman.’’ Although their shape most likely perpetuated the aphrodisiac beliefs, asparagus do contain many potent sources of energy.

Chocolate, Latin America

The Aztecs are believed to have been the first to make the conncetion between cocoa beans and romantic desires. Today, that connection still exists and is supported by science. According to the New York Times, dark chocolate contains phenylethylamin and serotonin, which are known as chemical mood lifters and have been associated with feelings of happiness and passion.

Avocados, Latin America

Avocados have a long and sex-shrouded history. Mayans and Aztecs ate them to enhance sex appeal, and Spanish priests considered them so erotic that they banned them from their parishes. While avocados do contain a good amount of potassium and vitamins, the lustful history is said to have stemmed from their shape more than their taste.

Champagne, France

Does this one even need an explanation? Champagne is a symbol of celebration and luxury, gives a euphoric feeling, and was known as a favorite drink of Marilyn Monroe who, according to her biographer, took a bath in the bubbly drink. According to WebMD, the carbon dioxide in champagne bubbles cause the alcohol to hit the blood stream at an accelerate rate, causing your inhibitions to disappear as soon as the cork is popped.

Truffle, France and Spain

These subterranean mushrooms have been connected to passion in France for hundreds of years. Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, an early-19th century gastranome, once wrote that even speaking the word truffle “awakens lustful and erotic memories’’ among both men and women. True or not, it is the strong, musky scent of truffles that is most often credited for its aphrodisiac powers.

Spanish fly, Spain

Here’s a strange one. These little beetles are sometimes crushed up and given to farm animals to promote mating. Apparently, someone decided it will work on humans. Crazy, right? Maybe not. According to a report published by the Mayo Clinic, cantharidin, a chemical found in this little beetle, “has been used for millennia as a sexual stimulant.’’ However, the very same chemical can also cause kidney damage if used incorrectly.

Pomegranate, Greece

The pomegranate plays a role in many stories of Greek mythology, and has been celebrated as a culinary symbol of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess whose name is the root for the term “aphrodisiac.’’ It is most likely the fruit’s abundance of seeds that brought about its symbolism of fertility.

Honey, Europe and the Middle East

They don’t call it a honeymoon for nothing. In some ancient cultures, it was tradition to give mead, or honey wine, to newlyweds in order to increase fertility. Apparently, the tradition spread and the name has stuck. Honey can provide high sustained energy and is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, according to WebMD.com.

Bananas, Asia

Along with having a seductive shape, these yellow fruits are packed full of potassium and B vitamins, which, according to Discovery health, are said to be essential in hormone production.

Basil, India

For hundreds of years, people have associated basil with boosting fertility, increasing sex drive, and raising overall well-being. In the past it was believed that the minty smell of basil could drive men mad. Although this seems a bit extreme, basil does indeed have a sweet, energizing aroma. It is also contains magnesium, which is beneficial to circulation, according to Healthcentral.com.