Which foods are good for better sex? The 8 bizarre items that people use to boost libido – and the one that will kill you

It seems that the human race is truly obsessed by anything that is suspected to be an aphrodisiac

BY NATALIE KEEGAN

 

HAVE you ever wondered if there was a food you could eat ‘to get in the mood’?

Well, you wouldn’t be alone. Humans have been trying out different grub in the aim of bettering their sex lives for years – and some of the delicacies thought to have an impact are seriously strange.

GETTY IMAGES

6

Humans are truly obsessed by anything that is suspected to boost the libido

It seems that the human race is truly obsessed by anything that is suspected to be an aphrodisiac – here are eight of the weirdest delights…

Mustard

In the past, people really believed mustard could ‘spice up your life’.

GETTY IMAGES

6

Mustard and spicy foods have been thought to get you in the mood

Apparently there was a belief that all things exotic to the western world, such as spices, had aphrodisiac properties.

This meant that foods like asparagus, mustard, carrots and anise, which were considered to be spicy, were used as aphrodisiacs.

Sparrow brains

According to the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, sparrows were sacred – but it seems this didn’t excuse them from being munched on.

GETTY IMAGES

6

Aphrodite thought sparrows were sacred – but that didn’t stop people from munching on their brains

Because of the connotations of love associated with Aphrodite, snacking on a sparrow’s brain was believed to ‘get things going’ in the bedroom department.

Poor sparrows…

Mandrake root

Yes, that name does sound familiar; in fact you’re probably recognising it from featuring in Pan’s Labyrinth and Harry Potter.

While there is a link between mandrakes and magic, the reason they were considered an aphrodisiac is pretty straightforward.

Many used to believe that the mandrake’s roots resembled a woman’s legs, making it a pretty ‘sexy’ food…

Rabbits

ALAMY

6

‘At it like rabbits?’ Chowing down on bunnies was thought to increase sex-drive

Ever heard the phrase ‘at it like rabbits’?

You can probably see where this is going…

Bunnies were a serious symbol of fertility – which led them to being on the menu when it came to sex improving foods.

Booze

This one seems to have slipped into the modern era, if most bars on a Saturday night are anything to go by.

GETTY IMAGES

6

Don’t over-do the booze if you’re planning on getting lucky

Just remember, while downing your favourite tipple might get you in the mood, it may hinder the act itself…

Spanish fly

Spanish fly is an emerald-green coloured beetle in the family Meloidae.

It contains cantharidin, which inflames the membranes in your genitalia, hence why it’s thought to be an aphrodisiac.

However, this is one food you are probably best steering well clear of, as despite any sexual gains, it can also cause kidney failure and gastrointestinal haemorrhaging – which could well do kill you.

Oysters

This is a pretty famous one. But the reason behind this widely held belief? Just like the mandrake root, they supposedly resemble a part of the female body…

Tree bark