15 Edible Aphrodisiacs To Enjoy This Valentine's Day

Nothing wakes up our senses like the fishy, briny odor exuded from a plate of oysters over ice. This mollusk has long been associated with sex, but the exact science behind how this seafood boosts our libido is as murky as the waters it lives in. Oysters are considered an aphrodisiac because they're full of nutrients that help support sexual health, like omega-3s. This critical fatty acid is important in increasing blood flow to all body parts — and by that, we mean all parts. Outside of its use as a sort of natural Viagra, regularly eating omega-3s can is also linked to improved cardiovascular function and reduced inflammation.

Another reason why the oyster is often associated with sexual health is due to its high levels of zinc, a mineral that contributes to reproductive fertility and the regulation of hormones like testosterone. Another nutrient in these humble mollusks also supports testosterone called D-aspartic acid.

There are many ways to enjoy oysters, including ritzy oysters Rockefeller or in a fancy stew. But, for the well-being of your special someone, be sure to give your teeth a good brushing afterward.

Champagne has a significantly shorter aphrodisiac timeline than other foods, considering it wasn't actually developed until the 19th century. Its interlinking with opulence and royalty gives the bottle its high social clout and endows it with more romantic qualities than other alcoholic beverages. We also associate the beverage with highly sexualized films like James Bond, which gives this beverage a sultry impression. And not to mention, there's something deeply romantic about uncorking it, twisting off the cap with a pop, and watching the froth gush out and down the bottle like a coursing, foamy river.

Scientifically speaking, the beverage's aphrodisiac qualities are often also linked to the tingly sensation it has on the tongue, as well as its relatively quick absorption time to the brain. Others link its yeasty flavor to the female body, whereas its concentration of zinc, potassium, and magnesium are linked to reproduction and female sexual health.

Ginseng is an innocuous addition to energy drinks and teas, but its connection to health and sexual well-being has long been noted. In traditional Chinese medicine, adds the National Library of Medicine, ginseng was historically used to treat erectile dysfunction and boost libido. The likely cause of this effect is linked to ginsenosides — which, besides sexual health, are recognized to optimize physical performance and potentially even slow aging. However, not all types of ginseng give this effect; American ginseng and Asian ginseng both contain ginsenosides, while Siberian ginseng does not.

Research has suggested that although these chemicals do not directly interfere with altering the hormones in the body, they can still be linked to decreasing the instances of erectile dysfunction, notes the News Medical Life Science. It's also important to note that many of the studies associated with ginseng have not highlighted the long-term effects of the supplement, nor have had large enough sample sizes to iron out the details about how ginsenosides impact sexual health and wellbeing. For the most part, though, it's safe to say that a single can of Arizona iced tea won't send your body into a sexual frenzy.

Each gushing bite into a strawberry is bound to cover your hands and lips in a sticky red film. Besides the sultry experience of eating these fruits, there is also a pop culture phenomenon surrounding why we're obsessed with the sexy strawberry, like the scene from "Pretty Woman" starring Julia Roberts.

We can thank the Romans for the initial connection between these berries and love. Strawberries are associated with Valentine's Day because they are a symbol of the goddess Venus, who herself is a symbol of love and beauty. Churches eventually began incorporating the fruit into altars and pillars to encapsulate its beauty. Moreover, the seeds were often symbols of fertility, with some legends noting that if two individuals enjoyed one fruit together, they would surely fall in love. Chemically, there are some benefits to the strawberry, including antioxidants and vitamin C, which aid in pumping blood throughout the body.

There are many romantic ways to prepare the strawberry. But the most popular is probably the chocolate-covered fruit, which you can DIY or purchase just in time for Valentine's Day.

The inside of a walnut bears some likeness to the female reproductive system, but there are also numerous chemical qualities that give the walnut its reputation as an aphrodisiac. According to research published in the journal Nutrients, men who added a ½ cup of nuts (in this case, a mixture of walnuts, almonds, and others) to their diets every day during the 14-week study period reported an increase in sexual desire and function, but there is limited understanding as to the mechanisms for why this occurs. However, it's likely that the presence of omega-3 fatty acids plays some role in this, as well as other beneficial compounds like polyphenols and vitamin E. Other research has shown, like in Current Developments in Nutrition, that the regular consumption of walnuts can increase sperm mobility.

Walnuts have long been associated with fertility. The Greeks, for example, believed that the walnut tree's prolific development of the nuts would signify its health. The culture carried over the tradition of throwing walnuts at the bride and groom on their wedding day to signify a healthy future pregnancy for the couple.

The lobster has been considered an aphrodisiac across many cultures, including the Greeks and Belizeans, but it wasn't revered as one in American pop culture until comparatively recently. In fact, lobster was once served to American prisoners because of its massive population, as well as a limited admiration for the culinary potential of the ingredient. After more restaurants started cooking with the lobster and elevating its status among wealthy socialites, the lobster emerged as a symbol of wealth, opulence, and, by proxy, sex.

Salvador Dali even went as far as to construct the Lobster Telephone, a  Surrealist-style sculpture featuring cooked lobster sitting atop a dial phone base to cover its underbelly and sex organs. He also created a similar living sculpture with a live lobster sitting on a red telephone, which bore the more suggestive name of the "Aphrodisiac Telephone." In his later years, Dali used the lobster as a symbol of feminity, including in the creation of a ball gown that featured a lobster tail covering the model's lower body.

Besides these artistic references, there is little clear science about what chemical component of the lobster triggers a sexual response. Some note that it is a lean source of protein (which is great for fueling all sorts of activities), as well as vitamin B-12, which aids in hormone regulation, notes Healthline.

Figs are one of the most beautiful fruits to look at, so it's no surprise that the fruit has become associated with feminity. But there's more than meets the eye when it comes to its soft, red flesh. Figs contain high amounts of beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, notes a study in the journal Nutrients, which has been known to increase libido, regulate hormones like estrogen, and increase the feeling of desire during sex.

Although these fruits might be relatively uncommon in recipes or hard to find at the grocery store, they're worth looking out for. You can prepare a special fig upside-down cake with bay leaf caramel to wrap up your romantic dinner for two or stick to a light appetizer with our salami and fig flatbread. And when all else fails, you can eat figs straight from the package yourself or feed them to your special someone. Just don't forget the napkin — things might get a little juicy.

You might think your spinach and artichoke dip looks sexy, and science might, too. Greek mythology notes that Zeus made the artichoke after he had been rejected by a woman. Meanwhile, in the 16th century, women were forbidden from eating artichokes because they were thought to advance sexual power. Henry VIII also believed in the aphrodisiac quality of the artichoke and was known to eat many vegetables. Many, many years later, Marilyn Monroe was dubbed the Artichoke Queen on a tour of the growing regions of California.

The exact benefits of eating artichokes to improve sexual performance are unknown and mostly the result of history and anecdotal evidence. For example, French writer and sexologist Dr. Nicolas Venette recommended that Swedish women unsatisfied in the bedroom should feed their husbands artichokes to boost stamina and libido. And even if this regimen is a farce, artichokes are still pretty darn tasty.