Our articles may contain affiliate links. This means we receive commissions for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying Amazon purchases.

Are Eggs an Aphrodisiac? The Surprising Sexual Benefits of Eggs

Eggs have been considered aphrodisiacs for centuries. And it’s not hard to see why. An egg is a symbol of fertility, a concentrated source of protein and nutrients and one of the most versatile foods in the kitchen. But does eating eggs actually offer sexual benefits? Let’s crack open the history, nutrition and science behind this surprisingly sexy food.

Table of Contents

The aphrodisiac history of eggs

Eggs have been associated with fertility, new life and sexual vitality for centuries. Their symbolism makes intuitive sense: an egg contains the potential for new life, making it a powerful fertility symbol in cultures around the world.

In ancient Egyptian creation mythology, the egg was associated with the origins of life and the cosmos. One tradition describes a cosmic egg emerging from the primordial waters and containing the creator deity Atum, while other versions describe the sun god emerging from an egg.

Eggs also became part of European fertility traditions. In 17th-century France, brides reportedly broke an egg on the doorstep of their new homes before entering, a custom associated with hopes for a large family and good fortune. German and Slavic peasants used eggs in a different kind of fertility ritual, smearing their plows with a mixture of egg, flour and bread before Easter in hopes of improving their harvest.

The egg’s reputation wasn’t limited to symbolism. Eggs became associated with strength, fertility and sexual vitality in traditional food cultures, helping establish their reputation as an aphrodisiac food. And because eggs are so nutrient-dense, it’s easy to see why this particular aphrodisiac has had staying power.

What about turtle eggs?

If you’ve gone searching for the sexual benefits of turtle eggs, you’ve probably found some very enthusiastic claims. Sea turtle eggs have a long-standing reputation as aphrodisiacs in parts of Central America and elsewhere. A study of egg consumption in Tortuguero, Costa Rica, found that the belief in the aphrodisiac properties of turtle eggs remains part of the local culture and continues to influence consumption.

But there’s an important distinction between a food’s cultural reputation and what science can demonstrate. There is no good evidence that eating turtle eggs increases sexual desire or sexual performance. Researchers studying sea turtle egg poaching in Costa Rica have specifically noted that there is no evidence to suggest turtle eggs act as aphrodisiacs.

There’s also a conservation issue. Sea turtle egg consumption and trade continue in some communities, while other areas have established protections or regulated harvesting systems. In Costa Rica, for example, egg harvesting is permitted under specific rules at Ostional National Wildlife Refuge.

So yes, turtle eggs have a genuine history as an aphrodisiac food. But that’s a cultural belief, not a scientifically established sexual benefit.

What about caviar?

Caviar has an aphrodisiac history of its own. Ancient Persians were among the earliest people known to eat caviar, which they called Chav-Jar, roughly translated as “Cake of Power.” They believed caviar could cure disease and ate it to improve stamina. Long before caviar became shorthand for luxury, it had a reputation as a food that could make you stronger and keep you going.

That reputation isn’t entirely surprising when you look at what’s packed into those tiny eggs. Caviar provides protein along with notable amounts of vitamin B12, selenium and choline, plus smaller amounts of zinc and other nutrients. Those aren’t magic-sex-food nutrients, but they are nutrients involved in energy metabolism, normal nervous-system function and reproductive health.

And what about other bird eggs?

When we talk about the nutritional and sexual-health benefits of eggs in this article, we’re primarily talking about chicken eggs, since they’re the eggs most of us eat regularly. But chicken eggs aren’t the only edible bird eggs. Quail, duck, goose and ostrich eggs are eaten in different cuisines around the world.

The practical difference is often size and serving size, although eggs from different species can also have somewhat different nutrient profiles. A quail egg, for example, is roughly one-third the size of a standard chicken egg, so it takes several quail eggs to provide roughly the same amount of food as one chicken egg.

The aphrodisiac reputation of an egg can vary by culture and tradition. While chicken eggs are the focus of this article, it’s worth acknowledging that other bird eggs have their own rich histories, not to mention different nutritional profiles.

Egg nutrition facts

Egg nutrition is a somewhat controversial topic, largely because of the cholesterol in the yolk. But eggs pack a lot of nutrition into a relatively small package. One large chicken egg provides about 6 grams of protein and is a source of:

Riboflavin
Vitamin A
Folate
Choline
Vitamin B12
Vitamin E
Vitamin B6
Vitamin D
Iron
Selenium
Calcium
Zinc

Egg benefits sexually for men and women

So, do eggs really have benefits for your sex life? They’re not a magic libido booster, but eggs bring together several nutrients that matter for reproductive health, circulation and energy.

For men, eggs provide zinc, selenium and vitamin D, nutrients that have been studied in connection with reproductive and sexual health. Research on dietary patterns also links adequate intake of nutrients including zinc, selenium, vitamin D and vitamin E with better semen parameters, although that doesn’t mean eating an egg will suddenly improve your sexual performance.

Eggs also contain arginine, an amino acid your body uses to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide helps blood vessels relax, which is important for the blood flow involved in an erection. Studies of arginine supplements, rather than eggs specifically, have found improvements in erectile function in men with mild to moderate ED. So an egg isn’t an ED treatment, but its arginine content is one reason this food has some legitimate sexual-health credentials.

For women, the fertility connection is especially interesting. Egg yolks provide folate, while eggs can contribute vitamin B12, choline, selenium and other nutrients involved in normal reproductive function. Research on women’s fertility has also found associations between omega-3 intake and reproductive outcomes, although eggs aren’t a particularly rich source of omega-3 unless you choose eggs specifically produced to contain more of these fats.

And then there’s the simplest benefit: food is fuel. A large egg provides about 72 calories and 6.3 grams of protein, making it an easy way to add satisfying protein to breakfast, lunch or dinner without turning your meal into a nutrition project. More energy and a satisfying meal won’t automatically create sexual desire, but being well fed certainly beats trying to get frisky while running on fumes.

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods

eggs benefits sexually graphic

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It should not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here are not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional.

Nutritional information for this article was reviewed by Eat Something Sexy Nutrition Director Delahna Flagg.

This article was written in 2009 and most recently updated in October 2026 with new research, a new title and the addition of information on turtle eggs.

Author
Recent Posts

Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide. She is also a Certified Nutrition Coach awarded by the International Sports Sciences Association and she is a California Certified Massage Therapist.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.