Oysters and Sauerkraut

Well, surely you knew there had to be a post sooner or later about OYSTERS as aphrodisiacs.  Pearl is NOT an oyster fan (cannibalism and all...*wink*).  I believe where there is smoke, there is fire.  Old Wives Tales usually contain an element of truth.

Here’s what I’ve found:

Oysters contain a large amount of zinc.  Zinc affects female and male sexual drive through different pathways.

In men, zinc increases testosterone availability.

testosterone is converted into estrogen through an enzyme called, aromatase.  Zinc is an aromatase inhibitor.  Zinc inhibits aromatase’s action to convert testosterone into estrogen.  This means, more testosterone will be floating around.  Thus, levels are raised for males.

In females, zinc encourages dopamine production.  Dopamine is the delicious brain chemical that encourages libido.

Aside from chemical composition, an oysters flesh is said to resemble the area which husbands seek, the vulvar area.  And hence, oysters are also a visual stimulant.

And now on to a little known aphrodisiac Pearl LOVES (Mr. Muscle, doesn’t love it at all….)

SAUERKRAUT

 

Sauerkrat contains large amounts of tyramine.  Tyramine is neurotransmitter releasing agent.  In other words, it’s a chemical that induces the release of feel good brain chemicals.  This includes our friend, dopamine!

“A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry,” Proverbs 27:7.

The two foods mentioned above, are specifically known as aphrodisiacs.  However, modifying diet to include healthy choices is the best chance you can give your sexual appetite.  The most important organ in regards to sexual libido is between our ears, not our legs.

Brain foods includes food with lots of proteins.  Protein is made of amino acids and can be converted to neurotransmitters (feel good chemicals) in the brain.  

Some brain foods include: 

oily fish (which is a double whammy, because Omega 3 also increases dopamine and serotonin levels)

red meat

eggs

cottage cheese

beans

peas

wheatgerm

bananas

milk

Spices that can boost dopamine levels include:  basil, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili peppers, cumin, fennel, flax seeds, garlic, hinger, mustard seeds, rosemary, sesame seeds, tarragon and turmeric.

Overall, the best food choices you can make for your body are those least processed foods.  Choose organic whenever possible.  I am not a hippy mama.  But, I do believe that the pesticides, hormones and other chemicals used to aid in the production of our food can be detrimental in ways we are yet unaware.  If you cannot choose organic, choose the least processed food possible.  Choose fresh spinach over frozen spinach.  Choose frozen spinach over canned spinach…etc.  Choose a chicken breast over a chicken breast patty or chicken nuggets.  These are only my suggestions.

“One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person only eats vegetables.  Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.  Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?  It is before his own master that he stands or falls.  And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand,” Romans 14:2-4.

For more information on a libido diet, see Dr. Cecilia Tregear’s “Between the Sheets” Diet. 
Linking up with The Alabaster Jar's Marital Oneness Monday.