Is Lobster an Aphrodisiac? The Facts About This Sexy Seafood

Lobster is a food with a fun and fascinating history as well as some great nutritional benefits. But is lobster an aphrodisiac? Well, some historians call the Maine lobster America’s aphrodisiac. And it turns out, lobster offers many nutrients that can boost sexual health. But there are even more reasons to regard lobster as a food of love. In this article, we’ll attempt to explore them all.

What makes Maine lobster aphrodisiac?

Some experts in psychology believe that much of the effect of an aphrodisiac food is the power of persuasion. For the lobster, this is undoubtedly true!

In fact, lobster’s history as a natural aphrodisiac deals mainly with its status as a symbol of luxury. Pamper someone you love with whole, steamed lobster or tails already lifted from the shell. It is a powerful enticement, no?

Like all aphrodisiac seafoods, the lobster’s aphrodisiac history can be traced back to the ancient Greeks. They believed the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was born of the sea and that all ocean creatures were her playthings in the games of love.

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Is spiny lobster an aphrodisiac, too?

The spiny lobster of tropical waters is not truly a lobster but shares many attributes with its cousin from Maine, including an image as a potent aphrodisiac. On Ambergris Caye, Belize, a dish called Lobster Chechak is considered the local love food of choice. And several recipes throughout the Bahamas promote the spiny shellfish as an opulent aphrodisiac.

Lobster nutrition to support sexual health

Although at the time lobsters came into vogue as a food of luxury it was likely unknown just how beneficial they are to our overall health (not to mention sexual health), we now know that lobsters contain many of the nutrients necessary for peak sexual health.

Lobster is a good source of zinc, selenium and B-12. And these are all necessary nutrients for maintaining sexual performance. But they also contain a surprising amount of vital nutrients including choline, known for supporting brain health and mood-boosting omega-3 fatty acids. And they’re a source of vitamin E. They’re also a good source of two nutrients that support bone health, calcium and phosphorus.

Lobster is also a source of copper, magnesium, manganese, iron and even vitamin A.

Lobster as a source of protein

Protein is one of the greatest benefits of lobster nutrition. A single serving of lobster has 19 grams of protein. And because that serving only comes with one gram of fat, lobster is one of the leanest sources of animal protein you can find.

In my research, I discovered that Dr. George Belham’s 1968 guide to living like a lothario, The Virility Diet: A Famous Doctor’s Advice on How to Remain Sexually Active Throughout Your Adult Life, recommended the crustacean for a healthy diet. I believe it’s likely because of the high protein content that the good doctor considered this luxury crustacean as an integral part of his libido-lifting diet.

How many calories are in a serving of lobster?

Because it tastes and feels decadent many seafood lovers worry about the calories in lobster. But lobster is, in fact, a fairly low-calorie form of protein. According to consumer reports, a 3.5-ounce serving of lobster contains only 89 calories. That’s a lot less per ounce than most popular proteins!

RELATED: A great recipe for lobster stew

Is the cholesterol in lobster bad for sexual health?

If you’re wondering about the cholesterol in lobster, you are right to question this important lobster nutrition fact. It’s true that lobster is high in cholesterol. (It contains about 212 milligrams of cholesterol per cup–that’s a lot.)

However, it is believed that the cholesterol in a low-fat food such as lobster is not potentially that harmful to heart health and sexual health. And since lobster is considered a sometimes indulgence rather than an everyday food, most experts urge healthy adults not to worry.

Recipes & serving suggestions

If you want to reap the lobster nutrition benefits along with the aphrodisiac benefits of this indulgence of the sea, I believe that serving it simply, steamed and straight out of the shell is the way to go. (You might want to add a side of drawn butter to lick from your lover’s fingers.)

But if you want to get a little more adventurous, I invite you to try my version of a lobster roll, which isn’t actually a roll at all. My riff on this New England tradition is served on multigrain bread and topped with the crunch of kettle-cooked potato chips.

And if you’re looking for a true lobster indulgence, don’t miss this recipe for Lobster Stew with Chardonnay.

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods

This article was written in 2010 and most recently updated in March 2022.

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Amy Reiley

An award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks with an MA in Gastronomy, Amy Reiley has spent the past 18 years studying the history and science behind aphrodisiac foods. She speaks on aphrodisiacs globally and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac foods to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health writer and wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine. Most importantly, Amy is a mother to 2 human children and 1 standard poodle.

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