The Aphrodisiac of Oysters--not just a cliche!

Is oyster the ultimate aphrodisiac food?

The oyster just may be the most evocative symbol of passion in the food world. One of the most popular choices for Valentine’s Day, no food has a greater reputation as an aphrodisiac. Some experts believe that it is this association, the old cliche, that gives oysters an aphrodisiac reputation. (In other words, naysayers will tell you it’s all in your mind.) However, thanks to modern science, we now know that fruits of the sea also have proven potency.

Oddly there are those who believe the connection between oysters and romance is about a game of chance. It stems from a rumor that slurping a bivalve from its shell might reveal a pearl. Unfortunately, edible oysters are not a pearl-producing variety. However, if you forget about the jewelry and look at what oysters have to offer nutritionally, you might get pretty excited. And better than playing some sort of find the pearl game, these results are guaranteed!

The health benefits of oysters

So, although they won’t ever give you a strand of pearls, the sensual bivalves make a luxurious and healthy treat. As for what makes oysters an aphrodisiac? Well, for starters, their slightly salty/sweet scent is a smell not dissimilar to a potent female pheromone. (Pheromones are those scents of attraction our bodies react to on a subconscious level.)

But this is just one of the reasons their delicately briny aroma is considered sexually stirring.

Although the serving of nutrients in a single oyster is negligible, a dozen oysters gives you a serving of zinc. What’s so significant about that? Zinc is a key nutrient for testosterone production. In fact, it’s important for stimulating libido in both men and women.

And if that’s not enough, these little shellfish make a great source of lean protein. In fact, they’ve been credited with keeping men virile well into old age. (Casanova supposedly consumed 50 of the aphrodisiac bivalves each day to keep his libido in top form.)

Oysters may impact sex hormone levels

In a 2005 study conducted at Barry University, researchers revealed that oysters, along with other bivalves such as clams and mussels, may have a positive effect on sexual hormone levels. These bivalves contain an amino acid, D-Aspartic acid, found to have a positive impact on hormone levels in rats. No further research has determined what amount of this amino is needed to bring the eater to sexual satisfaction. But for oyster lovers, it’s enough to know that these fruits of the sea have the potential to increase sexual desire.

Will oysters help you last longer in bed?

And while it is true that oysters are among the foods most often associated with sexual prowess, there is little to no scientific evidence that eating them will directly influence the length of your performance. They are protein rich and you need protein for sustained energy. So it’s probably safe to assume they’re among the better food choices you can make before a night of passion. Their zinc also helps keep your heart pumping and can increase testosterone production. But can I truly say that these fruits of the sea are going to make you last longer in bed? Well, I guess that’s for you to decide.

A strange experiment with oysters and sexual enhancement

In 2007, an aim to up oysters’ libido-boosting power led one mad, Australian oyster farmer to slip crushed Viagra into his oyster beds. The resulting bivalves were rejected by Australian health officials. But there was some Asian interest in the drugged-up mollusks. However, the makers of Viagra slapped a lawsuit on the creative fisherman for misuse of a trademarked name in making his aphrodisiac oysters. This brought a quick end to the farmer’s plans to market his chemically altered seafood around the world.

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