Sexy Tomato: Why Tomato is an Aphrodisiac

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When the tomato, a rare and fascinatingly exotic plant native to South America, was first introduced to European culture, society shunned the red-skinned fruit under the pretense that it was poisonous. But the myth was quickly dispelled once the French and Italians discovered the succulence of the ripe fruit’s flesh.

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Is tomato the original forbidden fruit?

The once-feared tomato, (a member of the nightshade family), became known as the love apple, poma amoris or pomme d’amour depending on the region. Slut-red in color with sweet, tangy flesh, the sexy tomato became the perfect symbol for the aphrodisiac qualities of food.

But the tomato’s sexy reputation may date further back than the naming of the pomme d’amour. There is one line of historical thought that places the tomato in the Garden of Eden as the original forbidden fruit. Most of us think the apple is the forbidden fruit but the scarlet color and plump, yielding flesh of the tomato certainly paint a picture of temptation. Who knows!

The notorious reputation of nightshade plants

Members of the nightshade family, (which also includes eggplant), tomatoes have been crossbred with mandrake, another nightshade, to create narcotic red fruits. Now that is an experiment worthy of elevating the succulent, sweet tomato to new aphrodisiac heights.

The tomato is also related to the deadly belladonna, which may also help explain its aphrodisiac allure. But it also sheds light on the fruit’s initial classification as toxic.

Once European culture sorted out the fact that tomato is not poisonous, many still clung to its “dangerous” reputation. Some even call it the “other” forbidden fruit. Even into the 19th Century, Catholics questioned the tomato’s “morality.”

It earned a place, as a matter of fact, on the brethren’s list of forbidden dishes, along with any other food that put into question the ability of lust-filled young members of the church to maintain self-control within the scarlet tomato’s presence.

It is admittedly far-fetched that one glance at a soft, fresh-picked tomato still warm from the sun could overpower the devout with desire. However, tomatoes do certainly bring something to the table in the game of gastronomic foreplay.

What does tomato mean sexually?

Perhaps it is because of the tomato’s history as a forbidden fruit but the word tomato has developed many meanings linked with sex.

On the more innocent end of the spectrum, tomato is a term of endearment for an attractive woman. Less pleasant, tomato is a label for a woman who is perceived as promiscuous or sexually accessible, whether or not it’s true.

And according to the Urban Dictionary, the use of the word tomato when linked with the act of having sex implies that a heterosexual couple has sex while the woman is menstruating. This is known, in some circles, as tomato sex.

The benefits of tomatoes sexually

Slang terms aside, tomatoes have a real connection with sex. That’s because they contain nutrients to support sexual health and fertility.

I recently ran across an article touting tomato as a food to “make your penis bigger.” While eating tomatoes will not guarantee a man’s enlarged penis size, the nutrients in tomatoes do show some promise in improving sperm quality and sexual performance.

Tomatoes are a source of lycopene. This carotene is found in many red and pink fruits, including watermelon. Tomato, including tomato juice and tomato paste, is considered a fine source of this nutrient.

Why this is significant to sexual health is that according to the University of Sheffield, lycopene can increase sperm count by a significant percentage and sperm motility. This is particularly significant for couples trying to conceive.

But the lycopene in tomatoes has another health benefit that could potentially impact women as well as men. According to the late Dr. Juan Carlos Ruiz de la Roja, former director of the Madrid Urological Institute, lycopene has a vasodilating effect. This means it can improve blood circulation to the entire body and is linked with improving erections in men. This effect can also potentially improve the sexual experience for women.

Recipes & serving suggestions

Succulent flesh from a perfectly ripe tomato, sweet with the flavors of the garden and just soft to the touch, is the perfect food to feed a lover. Lightly salt and serve from your fingers, letting the seeded flesh slide down your skin. Soon you will discover why the sensual secrets of this food were feared for centuries.

If you prefer to cook with tomatoes, here are some aphrodisiac recipes to tempt your lover:

Easy, Heirloom Tomato Jam
Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes for Two
Bacon, Tomato and Avocado Picnic Sandwiches
Easy Meatless Lasagna with Tofu
Meatless Chili with Chocolate

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiacs

This article was written in 2010 and most recently updated in August 2023.

Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this article is intended for informational purposes only and not to replace medical care. It is important to consult your physician before making dietary changes. More information

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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 and her work in the field of aphrodisiac food history and health science is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiacs and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac foods 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.