Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If Cupid hasn’t shot his arrow through your heart just yet, there’s no harm in experimenting with some ingredients to enhance the likelihood of love!
Most Valentine’s Day rookies think oysters are the perfect aphrodisiac. But what about ginger?! We’re here to fill you in on the lesser-known aphrodisiac foods, so you can be a Valentine’s Day pro.
Hot Chilies
Hot chilies contain not only the color of love, but also a natural chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin increases circulation and gets your heart pumping. Moreover, the pepper’s inherently-spicy taste causes your body to sweat and be on high alert, a physical sensation that is mentally associated with being in the presence of someone you’re attracted to.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
If feeding someone a sweet fruit dipped in chocolate wasn’t amorous enough, picking strawberries in particular amps up the power. That’s because strawberries are packed with vitamin C, which keeps blood flowing throughout your body. Additionally, chocolate is known to have high levels of serotonin, a “feel-good” chemical. The energy necessary to muster amorous feelings can also be found in chocolate’s natural caffeine and phenylethylamine, an organically-derived neurotransmitter version of amphetamine.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are full of magnesium, which raises testosterone levels. You don’t even need to eat a large portion to experience the benefits. There are 156 mg in just one ounce of these seeds!
Ginger
Legend has it that French courtesan Madame du Barry gave ginger to all of her lovers to boost their pleasure. The facts themselves don’t lie: ginger increases circulation and heats up your body temperature. Additionally, the herb increases sensitivity in the erogenous zones, making your tongue tingle and your lips pucker.
Watermelon
While watermelon is undoubtedly the best way to cool down in the summer, it also has the ability to warm. The fruit is abundant in citrulline, a compound that relaxes your blood vessels and speeds up circulation. When your vessels relax, heat and blood are able to flow through your system faster than normal, giving you a natural flush.
Want to get your hands on a few of these Valentine’s Day foods? Here’s how!