Sexy food - the top dishes we recommend to set ‘The mood’

So, we have all heard of an aphrodisiac right? If you haven’t, here’s the definition!

Aphrodisiac

[ˌafrəˈdɪzɪak]

NOUN

A food, drink, or other thing that stimulates sexual desire.

Oh yeah, this just got a bit interesting didn’t it? These can come in the form of natural substances, from herbs and spices, to more unnatural or chemically enhanced like alcohol and particular drugs. How does it work you ask? Aphrodisiacs stimulate the senses, which boost the hormones sending signals to other parts of your body; brain or…ahem uhh…other areas.

Here at HOI we decided to bring you some of the top food and drink for getting you in the mood! And the best bit is, you can have all of this at home. No one wants to be in a restaurant with the urge to do the thing, so, we have a menu of fun that you can put together for your loved one… or that person you want to impress for some no strings attached fun. Hey, we don’t judge!

1. Watermelon

I know! Watermelon, who would have thought it. Beyoncé is now making a whole lot more sense at this point. So why watermelons? Because they are full of non-essential amino acid citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra. So, to put it bluntly, more blood flow, more relaxed, heightened sexual arousal. Now, you’d probably have to eat A LOT to get to a Viagra level, and it might have a bit of a placebo effect going on, but either way, it tastes good and feels like holiday. Give it a go.

2. Oysters

Oysters are a bit of a marmite thing. Personally, the only thing that would be bringing me and a significant other together after oysters would be the holding of my hair he would have to do while I vomit. However, oysters are probably the most well-known food group in the aphrodisiac family, they contain high levels of zinc, which basically is important in testosterone and sperm production, lovely! It also triggers dopamine in the body; happy people like to have sex. See if it works for you! Our House Of Influence Oyster man himself Toby Boutall, may be the man to talk to for more Oyster information!

3. Strawberries and chocolate

According to Dr Hoppe, author of award-winning book, Healthy Sex Drive, Healthy You: What Your Libido Reveals About Your Life, chocolate contains phenylethylamine, which is a stimulant which elicits excitement. Dark chocolate is best to get the full effects but no one’s going to blame you for bringing out the dairy milk! Strawberries attached to your chocolate is a match made in heaven, and strawberries are jam packed (excuse the pun) with vitamin C which increases blood flow to ALL parts of the body. Get dipping!

4. Champagne

So, the general thing with champagne is if you drink 3 bottles, you’re probably more likely to fall over and or fall asleep, but a couple of glasses, lowers inhibitions, relaxes the body and increases subjective desire (according to Steve Mcgough sexology doctorate, to Cosmopolitan). The idea of celebration that champagne is linked too is more likely to get you in the mood, rather than any science behind the bubbles themselves. Well, if you insist… pass us the Dom Perignon.