Passion food

Sexual desire and food have been associated with each other for centuries. We went in search of foods thought to be strong aphrodisiacs.

Be it Marc Anthony feeding grapes to Cleopatra or Giacomo Casanova feasting on oysters (and he seduced a nun), there are many foods and drinks that are believed to enhance sexual desire. We went in search of them.

Asparagus

Asparagus has been believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac ever since the seventeenth-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper prescribed it "to be taken to stir up bodily lust". Nineteenth-century bride-grooms were reportedly force-fed the stuff to ensure they were able to perform on their wedding night and, like many other aphrodisiacs, the vegetable's phallic shape is believed to be partly responsible for its reputation.

Chocolate

More good news for chocaholics, who have recently been inundated with reports that chocolate can actually be good for us in various ways. As well as containing caffeine and lots of sugar, which give us an instant - albeit temporary - boost, chocolate contains a mild central nervous system stimulant that lifts our mood and a sedative that relaxes us and lowers our inhibitions, perfect preparation for a spot of horizontal jogging. Be warned though, too much of it and you won't be attracting any loving from anyone.

Bananas

Another appropriately shaped aphrodisiac, bananas contain the enzyme bromelain, which is believed to improve a man's performance in the sack. Bananas are connected to the original lovers, Adam and Eve, who, according to Islamic myth, used banana leaves rather than fig leaves to cover their private parts. Bananas are also rich in pottasium and vitamin B, which are thought to help with the manufacture of sex hormones.

Coffee

It is coffee's stamina-enhancing properties, due to high levels of caffeine and other alkaloids, that give it a reputation for adding longevity to sex sessions. It'll certainly keep you awake, but be careful, too much caffeine will make you nervous, which will only ruin the mood.

Figs

When opened, figs apparently resemble female genitalia, and it is therefore considered erotic by some people for a man to break open a fig and eat it in front of his female partner. Hmm. Originally from Syria, figs were prized by Ancient Greeks as a sacred food associated with fertility, and the arrival of a new fig crop is said to have been followed by ritual lovemaking. That brazen hussy of the ancient world, Cleopatra, is also believed to have a been a fig fanatic, which is good enough for me.

Oysters

"If you can get a woman to eat an oyster", goes the saying... well, I won't finish that sentence. Like figs, part of the reason for oysters being considered an aphrodisiac is their supposed similar appearance to female sexual organs. But they are also packed with vitamins and minerals, are rich in protein and high in zinc, which is adept at boosting the male sex drive. Casanova allegedly consumed 50 raw oysters every morning to enhance his sex drive. A lot of other seafood, such as eel and lobster, are also considered to be powerful aphrodisiacs.

Strawberries

Strawberries were cultivated by the Romans as early as 200 BC, and were being used as an aphrodisiac as long ago as the thirteenth-century. A soup made from strawberries and soured cream was traditionally served-up to newly-weds in medieval times. The strawberry is also reportedly a symbol for Venus, the goddess of love, presumably because of its heart shape and red colour. Today strawberries dipped in chocolate or with a glass of champagne are great fun for couples, not least because they're perfect for hand-feeding.

Tomatoes

Known as 'pommes d'amour' or 'love apples' by the French during the Renaissance because of their firm and juicy texture, tomatoes have also long been considered an aphrodisiac and were therefore shunned by puritans. They were also previously thought to be poisonous, but in fact their succulent appearance is down to the presence of the antioxidant lycopene.

Caviar

It may be considered a luxury, but caviar is extremely high in zinc and phosphorous, which once again stimulates production of testosterone and promotes nerve cell activity, which can make us feel more amorous. The effect is apparently emphasised when combined with vodka.

Garlic

The powerful odour may put some people off the idea of using garlic as an aphrodisiac, but if both parties have eaten it then the smell is usually cancelled out. Philosopher Pliny, who mixed garlic and wine, wrote that it was a powerful sexual stimulant, while Romans believed that garlic made "women fall in love and men powerful." It is thought that garlic improves circulation, while some people claim that garlic promotes the production of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which plays a part in the erection mechanism....

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you forgot to mention whiskey and Viagra.

Thank everyone to visited my journal..have a nice day..take care..all of you !