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It’s that time of year again! The time where you really have to put on a show to wow your partner and show them how much you care with tokens of your affection. This always seemed a bit silly to me since I believe that you should show your partner just how much you care EVERY SINGLE DAY, and not just on Valentine’s Day, but what do I know. With that being said, we are all hoping to have our tokens of affection reciprocated with some good loving, so let’s increase those odds through food.
There is almost nothing sexier than a man in the kitchen, especially if he cleans up after himself in the process. Therefore, cooking for your mate is already a turn on! But if you really want to heat up the kitchen, adding foods that have aphrodisiac qualities will take it up a notch.
The Science
What makes a food an aphrodisiac anyway? Well, it’s actually pretty simple. The amino acids a food contains can trigger the release of sex hormones, aka increasing your libido. This works especially well for men, but don’t discount the effect it has on women! Anything that increases blood flow can increase libido in both men and women. These 2 amino acids are:
-
L-citrulline (a precursor to L-arginine)
- Watermelon, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Squash, Liver, Dark Chocolate, Garlic, Onion, Garbanzo Beans, Peanuts, Red Meat, Salmon, Soy, Almonds, Walnuts.
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L-arginine
- Turkey, Pork Loin, Peanuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Chicken, Soybeans, Spirulina, Cheese, Milk, Garbanzo Beans, Yogurt, Lentils, Quinoa, Avocado.
In perfect conjunction with these amino acids, specific vitamins and minerals increase their effect. These are:
- Zinc
- Grass Fed Beef, Dark Chocolate, Chicken, Yogurt, Lamb, Garbanzo Beans, Pumpkin Seeds, Cashews, Mushrooms, Spinach.
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Vitamin B
- Pork, Legumes, Mushrooms, Eggs, Fish, Liver, Chicken, Spinach, Avocado, Broccoli, Banana, Whole Grains, Berries, Dark Leafy Veggies, Garbanzo Beans.
- Biotin
- Eggs, Almonds, Nuts, Legumes, Whole Grains, Milk, Pork, Chicken, Fish, Avocado, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cheese, Mushrooms, Spinach, Potatoes.
The simple science here is that if you increase the amount of these amino acids, vitamins and minerals, then you increase your libido. Done and done!
Time For The Foods
Now that you know the “how” we can move on to the what. Basically, the following 5 foods are the best choices to increase libido due to the fact that they contain a good combination of the aforementioned. Of course, you can add in some of the other foods mentioned next to each amino acid, mineral and vitamin to boost the aphrodisiac power. Hell, go ahead and try to create a meal using only those foods and see what happens. I would love to know!
Avocado
These lovely green fruits contain L-Arginine, Vitamin B and Biotin. Plus they are contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are great for your overall health. Just make sure that you know how to pick out a perfectly ripe avocado, or ripen it on the counter or in a paper bag, otherwise it won’t have much flavor and will dull the meal.
Dark Chocolate
This has been a widely known aphrodisiac for many moons now, and it’s no wonder with the amount of L-citrulline and zinc that it contains. Almost all (I am not one of them) women love some good chocolate. Just make sure that it is dark chocolate to reap all of the aphrodisiac and health benefits. Anywhere from 60% – 85% dark chocolate is the best range to search for when looking for dark chocolate.
Garbanzo Beans
Sometimes called” Chickpeas” instead, it is really the same rose with a different name. I love these little guys just for the amount of protein and fiber that they pack. But when you look at the fact that they contain L-citrulline, L-arginine, Zinc and Vitamin B, you just can’t go wrong with these guys!
Watermelon
This lovely, juicy red melon has the highest level of L-citrulline (about 250 mg per cup), which is a precursor to creating L-arginine in your body. Therefore, no matter what you decide to cook, finding a way to add this into one of the courses won’t steer you wrong.
Pumpkin Seeds
Also known as “Pepitas,” I just love how much punch these little guys punch. They not only have a deliciously meaty flavor but they are ridiculously high in L-arginine and contain a significant amount of zinc. They have been known as one of the world’s healthiest foods, so why wouldn’t you want to add this into your culinary repertoire?
Valentine’s Day Mood Food Wrap Up
Now that you are armed with the culinary aphrodisiacs, it is time to get creative and come up with something special for your significant other. If you need a couple of ideas that are quick, easy, delicious, and budget friendly then check out two of the best holiday treats. Just remember that it is the thought that counts and creativity goes miles, along with cleaning up after yourself!
I would love to hear which foods you decided to try and the results of your Valentine’s Day culinary experiment. What did you try, did you both like it and what was the result?
