Aphrodisiacs have been used by every culture from the ancient Persians to the Aztecs to boost sexual desire. But do these supposed love potions really work? Scientific evidence suggests it’s the placebo effect that accounts for most of the libido-lifting powers of your typical aphrodisiac, but some of these foods, drinks, herbs, spices and scents may actually contribute to physical arousal in a variety of ways. Read on for the lowdown on five popular sex enhancers.
Do They Work? 5 Popular Aphrodisiacs
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From bananas to figs to actual deer penis, foods that resemble our sex organs have had a long history of being touted as aphrodisiacs. Oysters first got their reputation as a (sea)food of love mainly because they're shaped like female genitalia, though some people also claim that their slippery mouthfeel adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the mood of the meal. However, oysters contain high levels of zinc, which may improve sex drive by boosting testosterone production. They also contain tyrosine, a nutrient that aids in the production of dopamine, low levels of which are known to affect libido. It's not clear how many oysters you'd have to eat to make a measurable difference in the bedroom, but, hey, there's a lot of fun to be had in trying. Next: Mead More on Time.com: 5 Little Known Truths About American Sex Lives
