Couples eat oysters because they're a classic aphrodisiac, linked to mythology (Aphrodite) and history (Casanova), but also due to their high zinc content, which boosts testosterone and supports reproductive health, creating a strong belief in their libido-enhancing effects, often amplified by the sensual experience of eating them raw and the powerful placebo effect.
The association of oysters as an aphrodisiac is a long-standing one. In Greek mythology, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, emerged from the sea on an oyster shell which is proof enough for many. Casanova reportedly ate 50 oysters a day and attributed his sexual prowess to their restorative powers.
While scientific evidence is inconclusive regarding their direct aphrodisiac effects, the myth persists, woven into the fabric of romantic tales and culinary lore. In oyster myth and folklore, oysters often symbolize various themes, including prosperity, fertility, and even mystery.
Aphrodisiacs are foods, herbs, and supplements believed to increase sexual desire, improve sexual performance, or enhance the sexual experience. The concept of aphrodisiacs has been around for centuries. There's no evidence that aphrodisiacs work, although they might have a placebo effect.
People eat oysters for their rich, briny flavor and unique texture, often seeing them as a delicacy, but also for significant nutritional benefits like high levels of zinc, vitamin B12, iron, and protein, supporting immune function, mood, and heart health, though health experts recommend cooking them to avoid bacterial risk, despite their traditional reputation as an aphrodisiac.
The Sensual Science Behind Oysters as Aphrodisiacs
A Rich Source of Zinc: Oysters are incredibly high in zinc, an essential mineral that plays a vital role in sexual health. Zinc is crucial for hormone production, including testosterone, which influences libido in both men and women.
Harvesting cultured pearls often kills the oyster, as many farms kill the animals after the first harvest for their meat and shell, though some try to recycle them for multiple harvests, while wild pearl harvesting kills thousands of oysters for just a few pearls. While some techniques allow oysters to survive and produce more pearls, especially with skilled intervention, the overall industry often involves stress, harm, and eventual death for most mollusks.
Female arousal is triggered by a complex mix of psychological, emotional, hormonal, and physical factors, with mental state (safety, connection, reduced stress), hormones (estrogen, testosterone), and physical touch (clitoral, vaginal) playing key roles, often in a "responsive" way where desire builds after stimulation begins. Emotional intimacy, feeling secure, and a lack of stress are often more critical than immediate sexual cues, creating a foundation for the body's physical responses like increased blood flow and lubrication.
Capsaicin in chili peppers can enhance bodily sensations, and antioxidants in fruits like pomegranates and strawberries can help improve blood flow. Both reactions are pluses for relaxing and creating intimacy. They represent fertility. Delicacies like fish roe and caviar eggs may elicit thoughts of reproduction.
"[People] usually say it's like a drug," Rowan says. "There's no science on why it happens, but many people notice it. ... I feel it every time I eat oysters that are in good shape." One possible explanation for the buzz is zinc, a potent nutrient that occurs naturally in oysters.
Oyster slang has several meanings: it can refer to a secretive or close-mouthed person (like a shell keeping a pearl hidden), a source of advantage/opportunity (as in "the world is your oyster"), or, in Australian slang, bull or sheep testicles ("bush oysters"), while older slang also called it a gob of phlegm or, rarely, a petty criminal. More modern, niche slang includes terms like "oyster shucker" (eager learner) or "oysterommelier" (oyster expert).
The “R” Month Rule: Fact or Fiction? For centuries, folks believed oysters were only safe from September through April; the cooler months with an “R.” Warmer months were thought to bring higher bacteria levels and mushier, spawning oysters. That all tracks.
The New York Times reported that eating oysters really can make you feel good. That's because they're a good source of vitamin B12, which studies suggest may help to reduce brain shrinkage. Similarly, oysters have an incredible amount of zinc which can benefit both the immune system and improve mood.
Many women aren't adept at communicating their needs to a partner until they have gained some sexual experience. They may be older before they have regular orgasms during shared sex. Research suggests that women reach their sexual peak in their 30s whereas men peak in their late teens.
Sexual desire is typically higher in men than in women, with testosterone (T) thought to account for this difference as well as within-sex variation in desire in both women and men. However, few studies have incorporated both hormonal and social or psychological factors in studies of sexual desire.
There are two FDA-approved “female Viagra” medications, too: Addyi and Vyleesi. These are used to treat low libido in premenopausal women, though it's not clear how well they work. If you're having problems in your sex life, there are many other medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes that may also help.
Recent research suggested that heterosexual men can smell women's sexual arousal. A recent academic paper claimed that women produce a unique scent when sexually aroused, and that men can pick up on it. Not only can men pick up on it, but this effect is huge.
Women in their 20s to 30s experience a peak in sexual desire due to the active function of the ovaries, which produce high levels of the estrogen hormone responsible for female beauty. However, the secretion of this hormone decreases as the body enters perimenopause, typically from the age of 40 onward.
Women, on average, tend to be more attracted to men who have a relatively narrow waist, a V-shaped torso, wide chest and broad shoulders. Women also tend to be more attracted to men who are taller and larger than they are, and display a high degree of facial symmetry, as well as relatively masculine facial dimorphism.
The rarest pearl colors are natural blue and golden yellow, followed by strong pink, lavender, and true deep black, primarily from specific natural conditions or rare oysters like the Queen Conch (for pink) or Tahitian black-lip oysters, making them incredibly scarce compared to common white or dyed pearls.
Only 1 in about 10,000 wild oysters will yield a pearl and of those, only a small percentage achieve the size, shape and colour desirable to the jewellery industry.
It's a common misconception that you should swallow an oyster whole. Chewing an oyster is the best way to enjoy the full flavor profile. Savor the oyster and take your time chewing before you swallow.