The 7 Best Foods to Eat in February

Foods for February

February may bring cold winds, little sunshine, and snow showers, but there’s a bright spot in all of this—Valentine’s Day. Through the centuries, many cultures coveted certain foods believed to spark romance. Some are simply part of folklore legend, but for other foods, the science is catching up. Today we know that it’s true: There are foods with aphrodisiac powers. Read on and learn which romance-boosting foods to incorporate into your February food plan.

Asparagus

Asparagus has been considered an aphrodisiac for hundreds of years, thanks to medieval folklore. Turns out, our ancestors were probably right. Asparagus is one of the richest vegetable sources of folate, a nutrient that helps promote healthy nitric oxide functioning, an important aspect for men.

Read More: 5 Herbs for Your Immune System

Egg Yolks

Eggs are an important component of sexual health, since they are a dependable source of L-arginine, an amino acid that can help eradicate erectile dysfunction. Egg yolks from hens raised on pasture also provide ample amounts of vitamin B₁₂, one of the necessary building blocks for serotonin, a feel-good neurotransmitter that directly affects libido.

Read More: Are Those Eggs Really Organic?

Ginger

Gingerroot is best known as a natural remedy for morning or motion sickness, but it’s been used for centuries as an aphrodisiac, too, because it purportedly increases blood flow to erogenous zones.

Read More: 6 Healthy Fats You Should Be Eating

Celery

Often mistakenly believed to lack nutrients, celery stalks are actually loaded with pheromones that spark attraction between people. In fact, when a men chews on celery, the compounds travel to his nose and cause his body to send off scents and signals that attract women.

Read More: The 13 Best Food Pairings

Chile Peppers

Hot peppers excite more than just your taste buds. They quite literally make your body heat up, sometimes even resulting in sweaty palms. Capsaicin, the compound that gives peppers their kick, is also known to fire up your libido and unleash feel-good endorphins.

Read More: Which Hot Pepper Is Right for You?

Garlic

Just like chile peppers, garlic can help improve blood flow to all parts of your body, which creates a warming effect. (You have organosulfur compounds to thank for that.) Worried that garlic breath could ruin the mood? Make sure you have a sprig of fennel on hand: The herb’s active compound, anethol, helps neutralize garlic breath.

Read More: 11 Foods That Make You Smarter

Pumpkin & Lavender

This food pairing helps set a romantic mood. Scientists at the Smell and Taste Treatment Research Foundation in Chicago found that the intermingled scents of pumpkin pie and lavender resulted in more stimulated men and women. Avoid the temptation to grab scented candles advertising these sexy scents, though. Many contain toxic chemicals, such as benzene, and are linked to diabetes and obesity. Instead, pop a homemade pumpkin pie in the oven and hang some dried lavender in your home to optimize attraction!

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