Passed down from ancient civilizations and reconfigured by modern social media trends, there are dozens of “real” libido boost solutions hiding in our kitchens: oysters, honey, peppers, garlic, walnuts, ginseng, asparagus, figs, and a sizable list of others from across the globe.
Over many years and many regions, specific foods earned reputations as sexual fuel. Rare or expensive consumables were considered exotic or luxurious and equated with potency. Spicy foods induce physical sensations that mimic the cues of arousal. Some were even valued for their shape resemblance or animal symbolism.
Those are fun facts and all, but do they work? Maybe! What we know of food nutrient profiles suggests there isn’t really a direct biological connection between these foods and sexual prowess. However, there could be some indirect connections: nutrition, mood, energy, and confidence absolutely influence how people feel, which, in turn, shape perceived sexual performance.
Across history, lots of foods were believed to increase libido or sexual vitality, and we’re ranking them from the most believable to pure myth. Here’s a culture-by-culture tour of classic “aphrodisiacs” and why people believed in them.
Oysters
Verdict: Most believable.
Oysters: the quintessential aphrodisiac. The lore dates back to Aphrodite and classical antiquity, where oysters were associated with love and sensuality. Their texture, presentation, and the intimate act of eating them with a partner amplify their psychological effect.
And there might be some nutritional basis for this reputation. Oysters are rich in the mineral zinc, which is essential for testosterone production, sperm health, and metabolic function. Zinc deficiency can impair sexual function, so we would probably see the biggest turnaround in sexual performance in someone who was zinc-deficient. Suffice to say, if you already have adequate zinc intake, eating oysters is unlikely to trigger a dramatic physiologically-based sexual boost.
Aphrodisiac or not, oysters are a healthy food choice: high in protein, low in fat, and packed with minerals, they support general metabolic and reproductive health. Zinc and oysters aren’t necessarily sexual super-chargers, but the texture and sensuousness of eating them with another might be all you need to kick it into high gear.
Beets & Watermelon
Verdict: Possible nitric oxide boosters.
Ancient cultures revered beets for their ability to produce “amorous” emotions. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite’s allure was intensified by eating beets.¹ And there might be some nutritional evidence for this amplification of her virility. Beets contain compounds like tryptophan and betaine, which can promote a sense of well-being, and boron, a trace mineral that supports healthy sex hormone levels.
Seeds found at a 5000-year-old settlement in Libya and wall paintings in King Tut’s tomb suggest people have been eating watermelon (or at least a near relative of the species we know today) for millennia.² Hydrating and restorative, desert cultures around the Mediterranean Sea valued watermelon’s cooling and diuretic properties, voluminous water content, and storage longevity.
Both foods contain compounds that support vascular function. Beetroot has been touted for its ability to boost nitric oxide, a molecule that helps relax blood vessels. Watermelon contains L-citrulline, a precursor to nitric oxide. The healthy bump in nitric oxide can improve blood flow, including to the penis. Also, as we mentioned, watermelon is hydrating: tissues become nourished, toxins are pushed out, and the diuretic property removes fluid volume that could improve slightly elevated blood pressure.
Plausible contributors to sexual function – but the effect is modest. Also, dietary intake alone is unlikely to replace medical treatments for more serious urologic concerns and libido setbacks.
All in all, these are healthy, whole foods that belong on the menu – they’re not going to hurt, and they may even help! (Special note: Beets have a strong coloring to them. Don’t be surprised if they tint your urine pink or red. It’s harmless, but call us if you feel alarmed or notice anything else unusual.)
Ginseng
Verdict: Plausible.
The “root of vitality,” ginseng, has been used for thousands of years in Eastern and Chinese medicine to restore Qi (the life energy that methodically flows throughout our bodies). Sexual vigor is almost synonymous with stamina, resilience, and longevity. With the energetic property to revive Qi, including intimate horsepower, ginseng’s reputation evolved into that of an aphrodisiac.
There might be some factual basis to that. Erectile function relies heavily on healthy vascular and smooth muscle activity in the penis, which is mediated by nitric oxide (NO) signaling. NO relaxes the smooth muscle, allowing blood to fill the penile tissue and create an erection. Red ginseng, in particular, appears to enhance this process: experimental studies suggest it can increase endothelial relaxation and NO production, improving blood flow to erectile tissue.³
Ginseng also has promising antioxidant power. Wait. Let’s back up so we can go forward.
Oxidative stress happens when harmful, unstable free radicals, called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), overwhelm the body’s antioxidants, damaging cells, proteins, lipids, and DNA and contributing to aging and diseases like cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions. Controlled levels of ROS are necessary for cell signaling, but excess production from pollutants, poor diet, or stress can harm cells.
Ginseng might be responsible for reducing markers of oxidative stress, preserving cellular structure, and improving smooth muscle health in experimental models, which can indirectly impact sexual performance and stamina.³ Incorporating ginseng as part of a balanced diet, combined with good sleep, exercise, overall healthy living, and advice from a knowledgeable practitioner, may help some people feel more energetic and engaged, even if it doesn’t dramatically “flip the switch.”
Chocolate
Verdict: A romantic, mood-lifting, endorphin trigger.
What list of food-based aphrodisiacs is complete without Valentine’s hottest commodity: chocolate? This ultimate love potion, cacao, was referred to as “the food of the gods” by the Aztecs and consumed in bitter, spiced beverages that were thought to enhance vitality and sexual prowess. The association of chocolate with romance and seduction carried on in European aristocratic society, and even into modern cultures around the world. The act of sharing chocolate, its luxurious texture, and its association with indulgence created a psychological association with pleasure and intimacy.
And good news – chocolate has a favorable, nutritious side. Dark chocolate, in particular, has compounds with antioxidant properties that, you guessed it, support cardiovascular health. It also contains small amounts of phenylethylamine and serotonin precursors that elevate mood and alertness – that endorphin release can definitely set off some libido vibes!
The all-around effect of chocolate can make sex a much more pleasurable activity to engage in. In practical terms, dark chocolate is heart-healthier than, say, a slice of cake, so enjoy it in moderation!
Adaptogens
Verdict: Can put you in the mood… via stress reduction.
Adaptogens are the wellness world’s little darlings right now, and they’re everywhere: teas, tinctures, smoothies, and “shots.” Maca root, ashwagandha, mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Reishi, astragalus, and other adaptogenic plants don’t act like stimulants or hormones, but they do help regulate the stress response, reduce fatigue, and improve overall resilience.
Many of these plants come from traditional medicine systems that focus less on sexual performance itself and more on restoring balance, which is really the root of any illness, according to these philosophies. In Ayurvedic and traditional Eastern practices, adaptogens are used to help the body respond to stress, fatigue, and illness.
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, disrupts sleep, drains energy, and interferes with sex hormone signaling. By default, this state of imbalance in the body suppresses the libido. The stress-buffering effect of adaptogens can help remove some of the barriers to “turning something on.” If the body can handle stress more effectively, conditions are such that the libido and an interest in sex have room to return.
Always talk to your prescribing physician before adding herbal supplements to your diet. Their effects vary widely depending on the person, the specific compound, dosage, and overall health context.
Peppers
Verdict: Can create a rush of sensation.
Heat can be equated with vitality and sexual energy, and peppers have long been associated with passion, fire, and desire. Intuitively and sensually, it makes sense: spicy foods cause warmth, sweating, flushing, and a racing heart, all sensations that can accompany physical arousal and prime the body and brain for intimacy. But there is a psychological force also driving this; just because we eat peppers doesn’t mean we’ll automatically be “in the mood.”
The compound responsible for the burn or sting we feel from eating a hot pepper, capsaicin, temporarily increases circulation and triggers the release of endorphins. That short-lived “rush” can feel energizing, exciting, and even euphoric. The effect is a momentary sensory illusion that sounds crazy at first, but again, has cardiovascular effects that might lend credence to spicing things up in the bedroom.
Peppers are also rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Capsaicin may protect against arterial calcification by encouraging normal arterial cell behavior and slowing down the harmful changes that cause arteries to stiffen and harden over time.⁴ Flexible arteries mean better blood flow, and better blood flow leads to stronger erections and sexual function.
Figs and Dates
Verdict: Nutritionally supportive, at best.
Figs and dates have been associated with sexuality and fertility for thousands of years. In many ancient Mediterranean cultures, figs symbolized fertility, abundance, and sexual vitality. In Ancient Egypt, Greece, and across the Middle East, sweet foods in general symbolized abundance, pleasure, and reproductive success.
In a practical sense, figs and dates are calorie-dense, rich in natural sugars, and provide quick energy along with small amounts of minerals and antioxidants. In populations where food scarcity or physical exhaustion was common, this rapid energy delivery may have translated into improved stamina, including reproductive capability.
Another commonality in these foods: they’re whole and healthy. They’re great at providing quick carbohydrates (energy) and delivering small amounts of minerals and antioxidants. The aphrodisiac status is mostly cultural and symbolic, and perhaps a splash of biological due to nutritive value.
Walnuts, Almonds, and “Shaped-Like It” Foods
Verdict: The Doctrine of Signatures…
… states that foods resembling body parts must benefit those body parts. It’s an ancient, pseudoscientific theory that plants and other consumables have characteristics that determine what they’re good for. Walnuts look like brains, so they were thought to improve cognition. (Turns out, they actually do!) Asparagus resembles male anatomy, so it must enhance virility. Nuts, seeds, and certain roots all found themselves folded into the aphrodisiac category through this “like affects like” logic.
Regardless of the myth around these “shaped-like it” foods, evidence suggests nuts were part of our species’ diet almost 800,000 years ago. Nuts and the tools to crack them have been found in bogs and archaeological sites throughout the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.⁵
And nuts actually do support sexual health – but not just because they resemble, well, the corresponding anatomy. Walnuts and almonds are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, and minerals that support cardiovascular health and help regulate cholesterol and triglycerides – and your erection depends on all of that being in healthy ranges.
Honey
Verdict: It’s the symbolism.
Love. Fertility. Sexuality. The very word honeymoon comes from a tradition of newlyweds consuming honey-based drinks to promote fertility and happiness in early marriage. In pockets of the world, and throughout history, its sweetness has symbolized pleasure and abundance, and its rarity made it a luxury.
Besides sharing sweets in a moment of closeness and intimacy, honey might accidentally work to “get the juices flowing” due to the quick-energy release from glucose and fructose and the extra kick of antioxidants and minerals.
Caveat: sipping honey throughout the night isn’t going to maintain an erection or otherwise keep you alert in the bedroom. Count on your urologist and clinically guided treatments for that part.
Outside the bedroom, honey earns its keep in other ways: it has mild antimicrobial properties, can soothe sore throats and coughs, supports gut health when used in moderation, and serves as a gentler alternative to refined sugar for people trying to stabilize energy and blood sugar levels. As an ancillary player, honey might be part of broader lifestyle changes that make intimacy easier.
What We Know Works
Not to take the magic out of it, but many classic “aphrodisiacs” probably worked because people expected them to; sort of a placebo effect. The psychology of it can be just as powerful as the physiology of desire and intimacy. If you believe something will help you feel more self-assured, it often does – in this case, the expectation or perception of a food to invite arousal. And there’s nothing wrong with that!
Oysters, beets, dark chocolate, nuts – they’re all genuinely healthy. And if you’re interested in the long game, they support cumulative, positive effects on cardiovascular, metabolic, and emotional well-being. Just don’t expect direct, immediate, or knee-knocking effects on libido.
If you really want to move the needle, we know a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and a consistent, healthy weight are always in style. Keeping underlying health conditions in check, like diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep disorders, also affects sexual function. Even when physical health looks good on paper, mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship strain can undermine desire, performance, and overall health.
If you’re experimenting with dietary changes, supplements, or wellness trends, it’s wise to loop in your healthcare provider, especially if you have underlying conditions, take medications, or are trying to correct a specific sexual health concern. When lifestyle changes aren’t enough to turn your sexual health around, it might be time for a chat about medication, hormone evaluation and replacement therapy, or advanced urologic treatments designed to address the underlying cause directly.
Modern sexual medicine offers real, evidence-based solutions, and help is closer than you think. Dr. Kapadia believes curiosity is a good thing in medicine. If you have questions, even the ones that feel awkward or off-limits, he welcomes them. Based in the Atlanta area with Georgia Urology, Dr. Kapadia specializes in men’s sexual and reproductive health and remains actively involved in advancing the field through ongoing research and education.
Whether you want to learn more about our blog content or talk through your own concerns, we encourage you to schedule a visit.
Resouces:
- Avey, T. (2014, October 8). Discover the History of Beets. PBS Food. https://www.pbs.org/food/stories/history-beets.
- Strauss, M. (2015, August 21). The 5,000-Year Secret History of the Watermelon. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/150821-watermelon-fruit-history-agriculture.
- Wang, H., Zhang, J., Ma, D., Zhao, Z., Yan, B., & Wang, F. (2023). The role of red ginseng in men’s reproductive health: a literature review. Basic and clinical andrology, 33(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-023-00203-0.
- Luo, D., Li, W., Xie, C., Yin, L., Su, X., Chen, J., & Huang, H. (2022). Capsaicin Attenuates Arterial Calcification Through Promoting SIRT6-Mediated Deacetylation and Degradation of Hif1α (Hypoxic-Inducible Factor-1 Alpha). Hypertension, 79(5), 906–917. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.121.18778.
- The History of Nuts. (2026). Www.nutcrackermuseum.com; Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. https://www.nutcrackermuseum.com/history_nuts.htm.