A MYTH ENDS: “APHRODISIACAL FOODS DO NOT EXIST, IT IS ALWAYS THE MIND THAT DECIDES…”. A DECLARATION MADE BY THE ITALIAN SOCIETY FOR REPRODUCTION PHYSIOTHERAPY (SIFR) AND THE ITALIAN SOCIETY OF ANDROLOGY AND MEDICE (SIAM)

After oysters came the pizzagra (a pizza with Viagra type effects): erotic foods have changed but the myth is the same and at least one Italian out of two continues to believe it. But now the aphrodisiacal powers of certain foods have been disproved by science. “The mind is the primary and true aphrodisiac”, noted endocrinologist Katherine Esposito, from the University of Naples, during a recent convention held by the Italian Society of Reproduction Physiotherapists (SIFR) and the Italian Society of Andrology and Medicine (SIAM).

According to Esposito, the secret is in the mix of senses because, “independent of the food, seduction at the dinner table utilizes more than a single sense. The combination of various sensorial relations, the visual satisfaction of appetizing foods, the olfactory stimulation of their pleasant odors and the tactile gratification that is offered by oral mechanisms from rich and flavorful plates and flavors tends to take us towards a state of general euphoria favorable to sexual expression”.

- Oysters & Co: though the idea of eating frog’s saliva, ground mandrake, or rhinoceros horn today may seem ridiculous, but there are still many who believe that oysters, for example, are an aphrodisiacal solution. Together with shellfish and truffles, as well as swallow’s nests and shark’s fins, and even spices like coriander and cloves, these foods still claim a special attraction.
- Chocolate and chili peppers: dark chocolate is the only food that may actually have a scientific backing. “Recent studies” – stated Esposito – “have demonstrated that dark chocolate, rich in polyphenols, is capable of improving blood flow, which, in theory, could contribute to an improved erection”. Similar considerations could be made for chili peppers, though exact data is still not available.

- Pizzagra: this is the latest arrival on the list of erotic foods. Created in Iceland, it has been publicized as the pizza that is capable of igniting the libido. It is a pizza topped with a bizarre mix of ingredients that have all been considered, at one time or another, aphrodisiacal foods: strawberries, artichokes, asparagus, ginger, chocolate, banana, garlic, and chili pepper.
- The Mediterranean Diet: “Fresh foods in Mediterranean cooking that favor general good health” – noted Esposito – “can also help maintain healthy sexual activity: their antioxidant properties have a beneficial effect on the health of arteries and, consequently, on sexual performance”.

The study conducted by Katherine Esposito and Dario Giugliano, demonstrates how, “eating Mediterranean foods improves sexual performance in men and helps women feel better about their sexuality”.

- The secret is in the mind: the mind is the “most potent aphrodisiac” because it “harmonizes sensations and allows the eros to emerge”, concluded Esposito.