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Apricot Benefits for Male & Female Sexual Health

There’s something about an apricot that just feels a little indecent. Maybe it’s the fuzz. Maybe it’s the way the flesh yields under your teeth, impossibly juicy and sun-warmed. Or maybe it’s the fact that for centuries, this modest-looking fruit has been tangled up in seduction, scandal, and the kind of folklore that would make your grandmother blush.

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Are apricots aphrodisiacs?

They’ve been called “apricocks,” used as love potions, and even rubbed on erogenous zones as pre-game perfume. The apricot might look innocent but it has a long, flirtatious history with sex.

During the Renaissance, the English enjoyed apricots—apricocks, as they called them—as a not-so-subtle aphrodisiac allusion. Shakespeare, naturally, slipped them into his plays with the kind of wink that suggests he knew exactly what he was doing. The man never missed a chance to turn food into foreplay.

Meanwhile, across the globe, Aboriginal Australians steeped the apricot’s kernel into tea to spark desire. And if that wasn’t direct enough, they crushed the fruit’s flesh and applied it straight to the skin, targeting the hot spots, naturally.

Not every use of apricots was so sexy. In the Middle East, camel herders once used apricot kernels to block female camels from getting pregnant. A strange twist in an otherwise libidinous legacy—but it only adds to the apricot’s complex reputation.

So yes, the apricot has earned its place on the aphrodisiac list. Not just because of what it once symbolized, but because of what it can still do. (We’ll get to that.)

Apricot benefits: what this fruit can do for you

Behind all that juicy allure, the apricot comes loaded with real substance. This fruit isn’t just flirtation—it follows through.

A single serving of fresh apricots gives you over half your daily dose of beta-carotene. This antioxidant is associated with fertility, potentially benefiting both women and men. It also helps protect your immune system. You’re also getting a dose of vitamin C, which supports collagen production and works against free radical damage. Think of it as a little edible beauty serum.

Apricots contain potassium, a nutrient known to support libido by promoting the blood flow that makes arousal possible. It also supports nerve and muscle function and keeps fluid balance in check. That’s not just good for your heart—it’s good for your sex life. Better blood flow and proper muscle contractions? Yes, please.

And let’s not forget the fiber. Apricots (especially dried) offer a gentle kind of digestive support that keeps things moving without turning your gut into a war zone. A calm, happy belly is an underrated part of feeling sexy.

This fruit also brings iron to the table, particularly helpful for women of reproductive age, but it doesn’t play favorites. Most of what’s in the apricot benefits men and women alike. We’ll break that down next.

Apricot benefits for male vitality and sexual health

Let’s talk about what apricots bring to the table for men. This fruit is more than just a sweet treat. It supports key areas of male health that matter for vitality and desire.

As I mentioned, apricots help with blood flow. Thanks to their potassium and antioxidant content, they promote heart health, keeping your cardiovascular system pumping strong and steady. And good blood flow is non-negotiable when it comes to sexual function.

Antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamins C and E also work to fight oxidative stress—one of the sneaky culprits behind testosterone decline. Protecting your hormones means protecting your drive.

Potassium and magnesium in apricots are muscle magnets, helping regulate contractions and recovery. Whether you’re dancing, lifting, or just living your life, these minerals keep your muscles responsive—and yes, that includes the ones that matter in the bedroom.

Do apricots work differently for women?

For women, apricots bring their own brand of magic. The iron content helps prevent anemia, a common issue that can sap energy and dampen libido during fertile years.

As I mentioned earlier, vitamin C’s role in collagen production can be a skin saver, fighting wrinkles and promoting elasticity. Apricot oil, extracted from the kernel, is a powerhouse moisturizer too—good enough to massage into the skin or use in your beauty routine.

Potassium supports bone health, critical as women age and estrogen levels fluctuate. Plus, the fiber keeps digestion running smoothly, which translates into feeling lighter, more energized, and yes, sexier.

The dried fruit dilemma

Dried apricots often get a bad rap for their sugar content, but don’t write them off so fast. Sure, they’re sweeter and more concentrated, but they still pack iron, magnesium and fiber. These are nutrients your body craves.

Just remember to enjoy them in moderation and ideally paired with protein or fat to keep your blood sugar steady. A handful of dried apricots and a few nuts? That’s a snack designed for stamina.

Serving suggestions worth getting excited about

Fresh apricots are a late spring and summer jewel—perfect on their own or sliced into salads for a sweet, juicy hit. Puree them as a fat-free substitute in baking, turning ordinary cookies or cakes into something moist, tender, with a little unexpected tang.

Dried apricots make excellent companions to cheese plates, yogurt bowls, or homemade trail mixes. If you’re feeling adventurous, apricot kernel oil can be used for skin care or as a light cooking oil with a delicate nutty flavor.

For something truly aphrodisiac, try apricot-glazed chicken or our favorite bacon-wrapped pork with an apricot compote. A little food foreplay never hurt anyone.

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods

This article was written in 2010 and most recently updated in May 2025 with additional research and an updated introduction.

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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.