Experts have put a spotlight on the potential of ‘aphrodisiacs’ – various foods thought to bolster sexual performance or desire
Boosting your libido by eating fruit might seem bizarre. Yet, experts suggest that one unexpected berry could be the secret to spicing things up in the bedroom – and it’s possibly already in your fruit bowl.
Specialists at the University of Pennsylvania claim that such a fruit is actually strawberries. This is thanks to their high vitamin C content which is potentially linked to an increased sexual appetite, though further research is required to know for sure.
“Strawberries are high in vitamin C, a vitamin that might boost libido,” Penn Medicine wrote in a blog. “This healthy vitamin can also provide an ‘indirect’ benefit to a man’s sex life: Studies suggest that vitamin C, when ingested as food (not supplements), protects men against prostate cancer.”
The US-based team isn’t alone in their thoughts either. An academic review published in 2013 also acknowledged the culturally-backed role of ‘aphrodisiacs’ – substances thought to bolster sexual performance or desire.
Strawberries alongside chocolate, honey and even raw oysters were outlined to have ‘aphrodisiac potential’, though there was ‘no or little scientific confirmation supporting those assertions’. “Aphrodisiacs can be classified by their mode of action into three types: Those that increase libido, potency, or sexual pleasure,” authors explained at the time.
“Various substances of animal and plant origin have been used in folk medicines of different cultures to energise, vitalise and improve sexual function, and physical performance in men, out of these very few have been identified pharmacologically.”
Beyond strawberries, other experts have drawn connections between drinking coffee and a potential uptick in sexual arousal or even orgasms. But Sarah Mulindwa, sexual health expert at Lovehoney, previously told The Mirror that it’s more a ‘viral fad than proven fact’.
“There’s some scientific evidence that could suggest coffee, or rather caffeine in any form, can improve your sex life,” she said. “However, the idea that coffee can boost orgasms mostly falls into the category of a viral fad rather than a proven fact, since the connection between coffee and improved orgasms is not yet proven in research.
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“Although caffeine often gets a bad rep, it can help increase your level of alertness, reduce fatigue, and improve concentration, all of which in turn could indirectly improve your sex life… Sleep deprivation and fatigue are also linked with reduced sexual desire and/or arousal, so combatting this could help with your orgasms.
“However, the psychological aspect of orgasms is a lot more complex than simply being more alert, so having a coffee beforehand alone, sadly, isn’t going to guarantee you get there.”
Sarah stressed that orgasms are different for everyone and influenced by so many different factors – whether this be our physical health, emotional state, or the relationship we have with our partners.
She added: “While a cup of coffee might be helpful for some, and endorsed by some on social media, excessive caffeine can lead to jitters, anxiety, and disrupted sleep, all of which can negatively impact sexual health, so go steady with it if you’re going to give this one a try.”
