By Jennifer Adler, M.S., C.N.

The moment Eve bit into that crisp, candy-red apple in the Garden of Eden, shame washed over her. Since then, some pretty suggestive food science has come to show that maybe she just chose the wrong fruit. Swap a pomegranate or celery stalk for that apple, and our first biblical love story might have unfolded quite differently.

Throughout history, many foods and drinks have had a reputation for raising the pulse and increasing the pleasure. These foods are known as aphrodisiacs. There hasn’t always been agreement on which foods are actually aphrodisiacs, but the ancient lists included many common healthful and whole foods of today.

Historically, aphrodisiacs — which get their name from Aphrodite the Greek goddess of love and beauty — were first used to amp up fertility or treat sexual anxieties, like inadequacy fears. But in those ancient times, when nutrition was lacking because of food scarcity, they also served as early nutrient-rich boosts to balance overall health. As most of us have experienced, hunger dampens even the most potent of libidos — which in turn decreases fertility rates. With procreation a serious moral and religious issue of the time, aphrodisiacs were key to promoting both male and female potency.

Foods have been considered aphrodisiacs for myriad reasons, from shape, to aroma, to specific chemical properties. Historically, foods that resembled eggs or seeds were especially revered for their potential sexual powers. And foods that resembled genitalia were even more alluring. This was based on the doctrine of signatures, an ancient European philosophy which asserted that plants bearing elements resembling human body parts, animals or other objects had useful relevancy to those parts, animals or objects. For example, the asparagus, given its phallic shape, was frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food. Other aphrodisiac qualities were derived from mythology. Aphrodite herself was said to have considered sparrows sacred because of their “amorous nature,” and had them included in various aphrodisiac brews.

When it comes to sex appeal, these days, whip cream and chocolate sauce are typically thought of before fennel and gingko nuts (or, for that matter, sparrows). But while their taste and texture might be considered more sensual, chemically-speaking, sugary-stuff leaves much to be desired.

For better luck in the boudoir, consider veggies. Celery is known to contain androsterone, a male hormone that stimulates female sexual arousal. The phallus-shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid in seduction. The use of fennel as an aphrodisiac dates back to the Egyptians, who prized it as libido enhancement. In the fruit world, bananas are as chemically pleasing as their shape implies. Rich in potassium and B vitamins — necessities for sex hormone production — bananas have chelating minerals and the bromelain enzyme, which are thought to improve male libido.

An open fig, traditionally thought to resemble the female sex organ, has long been considered a sexual stimulant. Serve fresh Black Mission figs in a cool bowl of water, as it is done in Italy — and be sure to eat them with your fingers! The pomegranate, a symbol of fertility with its abundant seeds, also symbolizes prosperity and abundance in Chinese culture.

In the category of nuts, gingko improves blood circulation to extremities. The Aztecs called the avocado tree Ahuacuatl, which translates to “testicle tree,” in reference to the way the fruit grows from the tree in hanging pairs. Pine nuts, due to their high zinc content, are also thought to maintain male potency, and have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as medieval times.

To spice up your nights in the bedroom, take a cue from your days in the kitchen. Herbs and spices are as stimulating to your sex drive as they are to your palate. Aniseed, a popular aphrodisiac with many culinary uses, has been used as a love potion since Greco Roman times. Sucking on the seeds is said to increase sexual desire. Asafoetida is an Indian herb used as a sexual stimulant in Ayurvedic medicine. The book The Arabian Nights, which is more than 1,000 years old, tells a tale of a merchant who was childless for 40 years before being cured by a concoction that included coriander. Ginger, garlic and onions are forbidden in ashrams due to their heat, which is thought to stir amorous feelings. Mustard is also believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire. And nutmeg has been highly prized by Chinese women as a philter.

There's more to the adage “Go sow your wild oats” than you might think. Oats are a powerful stimulant that encourages the release of testosterone to help boost libido. Just add some bananas, figs and pomegranate seeds to your bowl at breakfast, and you'll be good to go all day.

Jennifer Adler, M.S., C.N., provides nutrition counseling at her private practice Realize Health. She enjoys experimenting with her pantry spices, for their culinary benefits and beyond.