Although scientists doubt that so-called aphrodisiacs and popular passion potions contain any miracle ingredients to stimulate sexual desire, they do agree that most of them inspire psychological reactions that will get your heart beating faster.
According to Dr David Benton, a psychologist at the University of Wales, just thinking about these foods could kick-start a chemical reaction that leaves you emotionally aroused.
'If you believe that oysters or chocolates will set your heart racing, then you are well on the way to making it happen,' he says.
Here, we look at some of the favourite foods of love - and we give them a Passion Power Rating out of five.
Truffles
Recommended by Madame de Pompadour and Casanova, the 18th-century lovers, these fungi have been shown to stimulate the production of pheromones in animals - and the effects are thought to be similar in humans. The downside is that they are very expensive. You should expect to pay around £80 for a decent-size portion.
Passion power rating: 2/5
Honey
Honey is associated with love and sex in both the Bible and the Karma Sutra. At traditional Indian weddings, the bridegroom is often offered honey to boost his stamina - and it could do the same for all men.
Most potent are honeys from bees that gather nectar from aphrodisiac flowers such as jasmine, orchids or marjoram - reputedly the favourites of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
Passion power rating: 3/5
Seafood
Probably because Aphrodite was said to be born from the sea, many shellfish have reputations as potent aphrodisiacs. Oysters - another of Casanova's favourite foods - have a high zinc content, the mineral needed for sperm production as well as keeping reproductive organs working healthily. Oysters contain more zinc than other foods.
Passion power rating: 3/5
Porridge
Porridge oats contain a substance called avena sativa which is said to revive a flagging libido. The compound has also been isolated and packaged as a supplement, which is being marketed in health food stores as a mild aphrodisiac.
Passion power rating: 2/5
Ginseng
The word ginseng means 'man root', and some people believe it to be an aphrodisiac because the plant is shaped like the human body.
For centuries, ginseng has been looked upon as an invigorating agent - ancient medical reports claimed it gives men 'the power of a bull'.
Passion power rating: 1/4
Chocolate
Chocolate contains a substance called Phenylethlamine (PEA) which is also present in the brain, where it triggers feelings of emotional arousal.
In theory, the more chocolate you eat, the more PEA you get and the more sensual you feel. In fact, the levels of PEA in a regular-sized bar of chocolate are very small - so you would have to eat an awful lot of chocolate to get any loving feeling.
Passion power rating: 2/5
Guarana
Guarana, alongside ginseng, is currently one of the most popular natural stimulants. It is produced from the berries of an Amazonian plant and has an active compound called Guaranine, which produces similar effects to caffeine and is known to help restore flagging energy levels. In the UK it is now available as an energy drink or supplement, but it is unlikely to give you more than a sort-lived burst.
Passion power rating: 1/5
Vegetables
Asparagus is renowned as a vegetable to serve your loved one on Valentine's Day. It has been used for centuries by naturopaths as a general tonic and reviving agent.
Other hopeful lovers believe in the power of celery and onions, while garlic is also popular with men, who believe it will provide them with added strength and endurance for a night of passion. None of these has scientific backing, however.
Passion power rating: 2/5
Spices
Chillies and other spices have been widely reputed to give listless love-lives a boost. There is some scientific truth in this, since heavily spiced foods often contain an active ingredient called capsaicin.
Eating a lot of chilli peppers can cause physiological responses - a flushed face, increased heart rate and metabolism - that are quite similar to the physical reactions
Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-23048/Can-honey-boost-sex-life.html
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