The Benefits of Beets: beetroot is an aphrodisiac

Although at a glance or a nibble, this deeply colored root vegetable may not seem to be the most evocative of foods. But evidence of the benefits of beets (including aphrodisiac use) go waaaay back. In fact, the link between beets and the games of love is in evidence in the sensually provocative murals on the ruins of Pompeii.

Aphrodisiac beets in history

Need something more convincing? How about this: Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, ate beets to make herself more appealing. And, according to food historian Tori Avery, the ancient Romans sipped beet juice to promote that sexual feeling.

But it is only in recent years that beets hit the big time as an aphrodisiac in the modern world. Why? Because in 2003, the British Government awarded a 126,000-pound grant to a farmer to market beetroot as the new secret to vitality. (The Brits now have a website called Love Beetroot. It’s filled, as you might guess, with facts about this fertility food as well as a wealth of beetroot recipes.)

TO TRY: Brown Rice Salad with Leeks, Roasted Golden Beets and Orange-Maple Dressing.

Health benefits

The root’s potency is in its high boron content. Boron is a mineral thought to influence the production of sex hormones as well as improve the immune system.

Beets are also a great source of manganese. Discover why manganese is important to your sexual health. The magnesium in beets is a benefit that tends to impact men’s sexual health more than women’s. And that’s not the only beet nutrient great for men.

Benefits of beets for men

But here’s one of the best beetroot benefits for men. Beets are high in nitrates, which convert to nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide expands your blood vessels to increase blood flow. This is, of course, great news for your heart. But it is also good news for your sex life. That’s because blood pressure issues lead to difficulty in achieving arousal and sexual orgasm.

Oh, and chew on this: Beetroot also shows evidence of isobutyl methoxy pyrazine, said to be the most powerfully stimulating smell on earth.

So if anyone ever asks you, “Are beets aphrodisiac?” Your answer should be, “Heck yeah!”

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods

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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.

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.

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