A good source of manganese

Throughout history, pineapple was used as a cure for impotence. The tradition continues today. Just google it and you’ll find that the internet is littered with recipes for “libido lifting” pineapple juice cocktails. So, yes, it is fair to say, simply based on the breadth of personal accounts, that pineapple is an aphrodisiac.

But if you look at this tropical fruit from a nutritional standpoint, you can start to see some of the elements that add up to pineapple’s aphrodisiac reputation. The fruit is loaded with vitamin C. (Vitamin C is essential to the production of happy hormones.) It is also a powerful antioxidant, helping us to look and feel young, hot and vibrant.

It is also a very good food source of manganese. And this could be where pineapple gets its reputation for fighting impotence. Manganese is well known as essential for sexual health, particularly for men. In lab studies, manganese deficiencies caused loss of sex drive and a lack of semen. Pineapple additionally  provides the body with thiamine, a nutrient which helps provide the energy needed for optimal sex drive. When you add it all up, it’s easy to see why pineapple is an aphrodisiac.

And as for the rumors that pineapple juice can improve the experience (or flavor) of oral sex, there is absolutely no scientific research to substantiate the claim. Now that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. After all, some people pretty experienced in this area, including porn actress Annie Sprinkle, have weighed in. Sprinkle recommends a man consume pineapple or other fruit juice a few hours before a sexual interlude. Seems like pretty sound advice.

Sources:
Castleman, M. “How to Improve the Taste of Semen.” Psychology Today. N.p., 30 Nov. 2009. Web.

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