Throughout history and literature, oysters have been highly regarded as aphrodisiacs. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and from whom the word aphrodisiac undoubtedly came, sprang forth from an oyster shell while giving birth to Eros. The Roman satirist Juvenal made mention in his writings of how wine and giant oysters caused recklessness in women. Casanova, the legendary Italian lover, reportedly ate 50 oysters for breakfast every day.
It is indisputable that oysters are renowned as aphrodisiacs, but is there really any truth to this claim?
As it turns out, many studies have been conducted to determine the legitimacy of these claims. Studies have found that oysters have a high zinc content. Zinc is often found in sperm, and men with zinc deficiencies often suffer from impotence. Since men tend to lose between 1-3 milligrams of zinc per ejaculation, oysters are an excellent source to replace this mineral.
Studies funded by the United States National Institutes of Health, in cooperation with the Laboratory of Neurobiology in Naples, found other evidence as well. When testing bivalve mollusks, they found the presence of two unusual amino acids -- D-Aspartic Acid (D-Asp) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). The scientists injected these amino acids into rats and watched as the testosterone levels in the males flew off the charts.
However they caution that cooking oysters in any way tends to diminish the concentrations of zinc and amino acids. These babies are best consumed raw.
Yet some discount the scientific data, looking instead to more simplistic points of view. The image alone of the oyster can account for its aphrodisiac quality. When one thinks of an oyster, one is undoubtedly reminded of its legendary powers, regardless of the veracity of the claims. Also, just as many alleged aphrodisiacs are similar in appearance to a phallus (banana, rhinocerous horn, etc.), the oyster has an uncanny similarity to the vagina, which also can stir sexual desire.
Again, the risk involved can also heighten adrenaline, leading to desire. As famed Irish wit Jonathan Swift once noted, "He was a bold man that first ate an oyster." There is a sense of danger -- a heightened sense of risk -- many people experience when they eat oysters. Rowan Jacobsen, one of America's most prolific oyster lovers, observes, "And you're feeling really good because you've got all this vitality that you've just taken from the sea and put into yourself. You're just feeling good and that can manifest in all sorts of ways."
Tim Lyons, Chef/Owner of blu seafood and bar sees things a different way. "There's a sensuality to eating an oyster," Lyons says. "There is a silkiness in the liquor in the cup, there's a tangy zing from the salinity, the taste of the sea... The entire act of eating oysters is sexy."
Our man Casanova would agree. While most chefs recommend champagne mignionette, lemons or even horseradish with oysters, Casanova had his own serving style:
"I placed the shell on the edge of her lips and after a good deal of laughing, she sucked in the oyster, which she held between her lips. I instantly recovered it by placing my lips on hers."
The government, on the other hand, disagrees. The FDA believes there is no validity to the assumption that oysters act as an aphrodisiac. Leave it to everyone's favorite government agency to suck the fun out of a lovely bivalve. Citing "no scientific evidence," despite the findings posted above, the bureaucrats are trying hard to discount your chance of hooking up tonight. Again.
We encourage you to not just take our word for it. While the FDA has their side, oyster-philes may see it another way. In the end, there is only one true way to find out. Grab a significant other and rush down to your favorite neighborhood seafood joint and order a dozen or so. If you really want to play it safe, order a glass of wine and some dark chocolate too!
It is indisputable that oysters are renowned as aphrodisiacs, but is there really any truth to this claim?
As it turns out, many studies have been conducted to determine the legitimacy of these claims. Studies have found that oysters have a high zinc content. Zinc is often found in sperm, and men with zinc deficiencies often suffer from impotence. Since men tend to lose between 1-3 milligrams of zinc per ejaculation, oysters are an excellent source to replace this mineral.
Studies funded by the United States National Institutes of Health, in cooperation with the Laboratory of Neurobiology in Naples, found other evidence as well. When testing bivalve mollusks, they found the presence of two unusual amino acids -- D-Aspartic Acid (D-Asp) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). The scientists injected these amino acids into rats and watched as the testosterone levels in the males flew off the charts.
However they caution that cooking oysters in any way tends to diminish the concentrations of zinc and amino acids. These babies are best consumed raw.
Yet some discount the scientific data, looking instead to more simplistic points of view. The image alone of the oyster can account for its aphrodisiac quality. When one thinks of an oyster, one is undoubtedly reminded of its legendary powers, regardless of the veracity of the claims. Also, just as many alleged aphrodisiacs are similar in appearance to a phallus (banana, rhinocerous horn, etc.), the oyster has an uncanny similarity to the vagina, which also can stir sexual desire.
Again, the risk involved can also heighten adrenaline, leading to desire. As famed Irish wit Jonathan Swift once noted, "He was a bold man that first ate an oyster." There is a sense of danger -- a heightened sense of risk -- many people experience when they eat oysters. Rowan Jacobsen, one of America's most prolific oyster lovers, observes, "And you're feeling really good because you've got all this vitality that you've just taken from the sea and put into yourself. You're just feeling good and that can manifest in all sorts of ways."
Tim Lyons, Chef/Owner of blu seafood and bar sees things a different way. "There's a sensuality to eating an oyster," Lyons says. "There is a silkiness in the liquor in the cup, there's a tangy zing from the salinity, the taste of the sea... The entire act of eating oysters is sexy."
Our man Casanova would agree. While most chefs recommend champagne mignionette, lemons or even horseradish with oysters, Casanova had his own serving style:
"I placed the shell on the edge of her lips and after a good deal of laughing, she sucked in the oyster, which she held between her lips. I instantly recovered it by placing my lips on hers."
The government, on the other hand, disagrees. The FDA believes there is no validity to the assumption that oysters act as an aphrodisiac. Leave it to everyone's favorite government agency to suck the fun out of a lovely bivalve. Citing "no scientific evidence," despite the findings posted above, the bureaucrats are trying hard to discount your chance of hooking up tonight. Again.
We encourage you to not just take our word for it. While the FDA has their side, oyster-philes may see it another way. In the end, there is only one true way to find out. Grab a significant other and rush down to your favorite neighborhood seafood joint and order a dozen or so. If you really want to play it safe, order a glass of wine and some dark chocolate too!
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