Scallops Aphrodisiac & Sexual Benefits

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As legend has it, the goddess Aphrodite first appeared emerging out of the sea on the shell of a scallop. And, thanks to this very high profile job of one lowly bivalve, scallops have enjoyed an aphrodisiac reputation since the time of ancient Greece.

Are scallops aphrodisiac?

If you’re wondering “Are scallops aphrodisiac?,” using history is your guide, the answer is a resounding yes. As I mentioned, the ancient Greeks believed that the goddess of sexual love, Aphrodite, was born of the sea, and therefore all seafoods are foods of love. This legendary reputation still holds true today. In her book Aphrodite, author Isabel Allende recommends keeping scallops on hand for romantic dinners.

RELATED: Easy Scallop Pizza Recipe

And if a little folklore isn’t enough to make you a believer that the scallop is an aphrodisiac seafood, a recent scientific study should have you convinced.

In 2005, a group of young American and Italian researchers investigated two amino acids found in bivalve mollusks, (a category of seafood that also includes mussels, clams and the famed aphrodisiac oysters). They demonstrated that these amino acids raised sexual hormone levels in rats. This is part of the reason we’ve named clams to our list of the 10 Best Foods for Men’s Sexual Health.

However, although the research made a promising argument for the notion that scallops and other bivalves could increase sex drive, no follow-up studies have pinpointed exactly how or how much sexy shellfish it would take to produce the desired effect.

Are scallops good for you?

So now we understand that scallops are linked with the goddess of love and that they may contain amino acids that can turn you on, but are scallops actually healthy?

There was a time when doctors discouraged patients from eating too much shellfish for fear of raising cholesterol levels. But we now understand that cholesterol in shellfish tends not to impact blood cholesterol. In fact, the Harvard Medical School now encourages eating shellfish for heart health.

But scallops benefits don’t just impact the heart. In fact, scallops are so good for women that we named them among our 10 Best Foods for Women’s Sexual Health.

However, scallops aren’t just an aphrodisiac for women. Many of the nutrients in scallops also impact men’s sexual health.

Scallops testosterone

Scallops are among the foods that help support testosterone production. That’s because scallops contain zinc. According to Nature’s Aphrodisiacs by Nancy L. Nickell, zinc is a nutrient essential to men’s sexual function. But they may also be good for testosterone production because these shellfish offer a high concentration of protein with very little fat. According to research, simply maintaining a healthy weight and fat levels can optimize sexual hormone production.

More nutrition in scallops

Scallops provide the body with several other nutrients proven essential to sexual health. These include vitamin B12, selenium, magnesium and potassium. For more information on scallops nutrition information, check out my article Scallop Nutrition for Women’s Health.

Scallop flavor & sexy texture

It is easy to see the attraction of these tiny fruits of the sea. Their flesh is far milder than many of the ocean’s creatures. Their texture is soft – voluptuous on the tongue. Their shells make beautiful serving vessels. And, when served at their freshest, scallops offer a flavor that is the essence of the briny sea.

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods

Scallops photo by jirayu koontholjinda

This article was written in 2010 and most recently updated in April, 2021.

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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.