Ah, oysters. Those briny, sometimes-questionable bivalves that are loved by many and feared by more. What is it about the oyster that stirs such emotion in the hearts of so many people? If it were just those in the middle of tropical landlocked nowhere who shun oysters I might understand. But it often seems that even coastal dwellers resist the opportunity to slurp down a raw one beside a crisp, cool coastline where these living dinosaurs thrive. Truth is, they don't know what they’re missing, which is too bad for them, but okay with me since it just leaves more for me to enjoy. And then there are those who eat them for, shall we say, more venial reasons based upon the age-old belief that they ignite a sexual spark which lights your fire and “makes you strong” between the sheets. Yes, the oyster has long been touted as a powerful aphrodisiac. According to legend, consuming these slippery mollusks can make even the most frigid of lovers swoon with desire. Poetic comparisons of oysters and women's parts have been extolled for generations and even scientific description of oyster anatomy includes labial folds. But is there any truth to this claim of an injection of virility and desire, or is it just a midden of shellfish mumbo jumbo? To find out, I thought I’d take a Foodwalkers’ look at the issue, thinking that for, um, purely scholarly reasons I would shuck a peck or two of oysters when my wife least expected anything and, y’know, see what happens.

But first, I wanted to examine the “science” behind the supposed aphrodisiac effects of oysters. It is true that oysters are rich in protein and low in fat, making them a healthy addition to any diet. They’re also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids which contribute to improved heart health and reduced inflammation. But mostly it’s about the oyster’s zinc, a mineral that has been linked to increased testosterone production and help to produce healthy sperm. Testosterone, of course, is the hormone that fires up male sex drive. So in theory consuming oysters could potentially boost libido, right? Many will nod in prurient agreement, but to others oysters evoke inaccurate assumptions of slimy texture and pungent aroma, which some may find less than appetizing and definitely not sexy. So for them the love-crazed, libido-boosting theory is, well, not so much.

*courtesy of Vintage Everyday (Vintage.es)*

Throughout history, oysters have been considered a luxury food item. Ancient Romans were known to consume vast quantities of oysters wrestled from the shores of Britain and France, such that the Roman poet Juvenal arrogantly quipped that "the common people know nothing of the exquisite flavor of oysters." In medieval Europe oysters were similarly prized as a delicacy, often served at royal banquets and feasts. But the idea of oysters as an aphrodisiac may simply be a classic case of correlation not equaling causation. It may be based on old wives' tales and superstition. After all, people have been eating oysters since nearly the beginning of human civilization, and a hell of a lot of those same humans have had sex during or immediately after eating oysters. It is said that King Henry IV of England himself once consumed over 400 oysters in a single sitting. He had six kids with his first wife. But just because two things happen to be correlated doesn't mean that one causes the other.

All along the coastal regions of the United States oysters have a long history as a food associated with romance and sexual desire. In New Orleans during the 19th and early 20th centuries oyster harvesting and processing were major industries in the city – making many well-employed if not downright rich – and oyster bars became popular gathering places for men and women to share a plate of oysters as a prelude to a romantic evening. It inevitably led to the well-established belief of oysters as an aphrodisiac and even inspired musician Tom Lyle in 1910 to compose the one-hit-wonder "Oyster Rag" which included the lyrics:

While some people swear by the libido-boosting effects of oysters, the scientific evidence is about as flimsy as a wet noodle (so to speak). Still, it's hard to deny the romance and allure of slurping down some fresh oysters on a special occasion. And oysters are not alone in the supposed world of edible aphrodisiacs; numerous other foods throughout the world have been thought to have aphrodisiacal effects. Here are perhaps the leading four:

- Chocolate. Like oysters, chocolate is often associated with romance and sensuality. The Aztecs may have been the first to link chocolate with sexual power and enhanced libido. Aztec Emperor Montezuma is said to have used chocolate to fuel his romantic trysts. Since then, some studies have suggested that the flavanolds, tryptophan and phenylethylamine in chocolate may help to improve blood flow and boost mood, which could potentially contribute to increased sexual desire. That’s why chocolate on Valentine’s day is so popular.

- Ginseng. Ginseng is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including sexual dysfunction. Emperor Shen-Nung, known as the father of Chinese medicine, purportedly used ginseng as an aphrodisiac to stimulate sexual appetite and manage erectile dysfunction. Today the National Institute of Health claims that ginseng affects the central nervous system and gonadal tissues directly, and can help in the enlarging of blood vessels and the relaxation process.

- Alcohol. A drink or two often lowers inhibitions and puts people in the mood for romance. So maybe there is something to Jimmy Buffet’s allure of “oysters & beer” – but is it the oysters or the beer? One study found that women who drank a glass or two of red wine a day reported more desire, lubrication and overall sexual satisfaction than nondrinkers. But one needs not conduct scientific research to know that.

- Rhino Horn. First of all: not a food. Nevertheless, despite any medicinal proof, rhino horn has been ground to powder and prescribed in traditional Asian medicine for about 2,000 years. Made of keratin – the same material as our fingernails – if it did have any redeeming sexual connection, fingernail biting would be long considered an Olympic sport. But for some the myth persists; with rumors in 2008 that drinking crushed rhino horn mixed in tea might cure cancer. The few remaining wild rhinos – and Science – could not disagree more.

Skeptical about my research results, I finally I went about my own personal experiment, all ready to prove the hypothesis and feel the love. A nice sack of 50 oysters, couple of lemons and some tabasco and we were off to the races. Oh yeah, and a nice bottle of bubbly to go with it. We drank and laughed while I shucked and carefully set the magic morsels on crushed ice. From there the libido-testing food frenzy commenced and, sorry, the results shall remain private… But suffice it to say that there is something special about standing beside the person you love most and gently opening oysters. You gingerly probe the hinge of the shell, feeling for the little soft spot with the point of your blade. Fiddle deeper into the shell until you feel like it’s ready to give up the ghost, then give a subtle twist of the wrist and you hear a little pop of the shell. A smooth raking of the blade, with its melodic sound against the inside of the shell, and the top is free, revealing a shiny, plump oyster glistening beige and gray in its own liquor. A second slip of the blade underneath and the mollusk is floating freely in its own perfect pearlescent serving bowl. A drop, maybe two, of lemon and you and your partner each slowly bring the shells to your mouths, careful not to spill a drop. Your barely quivering lips touch the thin edge of the cold shell and open slightly to receive its tasty gift of the sea. And suddenly you are delicately awash in flavor – brine, lettuce, cucumber, salt and umami goodness. You chew slowly, savoring the kaleidoscope of emerging flavors, swallow softly and wash it away with a quiet sip of champagne. And then you do it again, and again, and again…

So, what's the verdict? Are oysters really an aphrodisiac, or just a magnificent shellfish? Well, as with many things in life, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle and maybe it doesn’t really matter. And while the science may be a little shaky, there's no denying the appeal of these briny little bivalves which boast a texture and shape that is undeniably sexy. Maybe the zinc in oysters does boost testosterone production and increase libido. But to achieve such a powerful effect one may have to eat, well, like King Henry. At the end of the day, whether or not oysters get you in the mood is likely a highly individualized experience. If you're feeling amorous or in love, even a banana or cherries will spark that ticklish feeling inside, because it’s as much a mood thing as a food thing. And if, in the words of MFK Fisher, you consider the oyster as you shuck and slurp with someone you love, you will always fall in love, science or not. So go ahead and slurp down some oysters on your next date night - who knows, it might just lead to a little romance. And if not, well, at least you got to enjoy some delicious seafood. And, oh yeah, if all else fails, there's always good old-fashioned charm, wit and a winning personality to help you reach Romancelandia.

HOME

Aphrodite and Oysters - Does Eating Oysters Really Light Your Fire?

OYSTER-ology

About Foodwalkers