Sexy Eats: Top 8 Love Foods

There's always been a connection between food and passion. Have some fun and indulge in these aphrodisiacs.
Derived from the name Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, aphrodisiacs have been used by many to rekindle an old flame or make themselves more desirable. Aphrodisiacs are supposed to work by either influencing the mind or stimulating the parts of the body associated with sexual desire. Researchers confirm that there are herbs and types of food that may affect our libidos, while groups like the US Food and Drug Administration stress that there is no scientific basis for it all. If you believe in the power of aphrodisiacs, we've listed a few of the best-known "love foods" in the gallery below..

1. CHOCOLATE

 Chocolate contains phenylethylamine and serotonin, which are chemicals that the brain releases when you feel happy and in love. It has also been found to produce a substance called anandamide. According to the Neuroscience Institute in California, anandamide is a neurotransmitter that gives a person a kind of “high” similar to the one induced by marijuana. Scientists say chocolate doesn’t directly increase sexual desire, but it may make you feel good, which can lower your inhibitions and make you more receptive to your partner’s advances. 

2. OYSTERS

 According to folklore, these shellfish were popular among ancient Romans for their ability to enhance sexual desire (particularly in men) because their meat resembles the female genitalia. Scientists have found oysters to be high in zinc, a mineral now known to help improve sexual function in men because it increases testosterone and sperm count. Estrogen- and testosterone-releasing compounds such as D-aspartic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) have also been found in oysters, clams, and mussels. What scientists have yet to learn is how much shellfish you’d need to ingest to actually benefit from the substances in them.

3. HONEY

 To get themselves in the mood, Ancient Persian newlyweds drank mead, or fermented honey, for a month after getting married (the word “honeymoon” actually developed from the term “honey month.”). Scientists say honey is rich in boron, a mineral that enhances mental alertness, and B vitamins that help enhance the production of testosterone (the hormone partially responsible for sexual desire in both men and women).

4. GINSENG

Ginseng is usually prepared as a tonic to help boost stamina and mental alertness. Though believed to enhance sexual prowess in women, it is more popular among men. A study published in the Journal of Urology reports some improvement in their participants’ erectile function, but the effect of ginseng on libido is not clear.

5. CUCUMBERS

 Due to their phallic shape, cucumbers were traditionally consumed as part of a meal to enhance sexual function. More recently, a study by the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in the US shows that the scent of cucumbers (in combination with the scent of a licorice-flavored candy called Good and Plenty) helps increase blood flow to the vagina by 13 percent.

6. CHILI PEPPERS

 Spicy foods are believed to be aphrodisiacs, perhaps because the capsaicin in the hot peppers used to spice them produce reactions similar to those you feel when having sex—an increased heart rate and sweating. Eating large quantities is said to produce an effect in the genitals similar to sexual excitement.

7. AVOCADOS

 Avocados are believed to be aphrodisiacs because when the fruits are hung on trees, they resemble testicles. It is also rich in vitamins C and E and the testosterone-enhancing B6. However, it hasn’t been scientifically proven whether or not the nutrients in one avocado can do the trick.

8. SPANISH FLY

 This beetle is usually dried and crushed into powder and eaten by itself or with food and drink. It is believed to increase sexual arousal because it contains a substance called cantharidin, which stimulates the urogenital tract. The substance, however, is highly toxic and can damage the kidneys and the body’s gastrointestinal system. In some cases, it can also lead to death.

5 Tips on Uncomplicating an "It's Complicated" Relationship

Relationships can be tricky. You risk making yourself vulnerable to a complete stranger, hoping that his company is interesting enough to inspire you to spend an entire lifetime together. This is why couples spend a lot of their time together trying to figure each other out. And as if that’s not enough, some go on to work on figuring out how to define their relationships. With the popularity of social networking sites these days, this dilemma has been simplified into two words: “It’s complicated.”

But the thing is, relationships don’t have to be that convoluted. After all, being in one already takes a lot of work, so you don’t need to stress yourself out trying to figure out your relationship status. Let FN help you untangle your relationship knots with tips for dealing with five common scenarios for when your relationship status is “It’s complicated,” but you really mean something else.

1. WHEN YOU REALLY MEAN, "IT'S US AGAINST THE WORLD."

The scenario: So you’ve found your perfect partner. He totally gets you, even when you’re completely hormonal. He’s sweet, thoughtful, and all those other things your ideal guy is. The problem is, everybody else thinks otherwise. 

The solution: Your loved ones won’t hate your man for no apparent reason, so try to listen to their opinions. For all you know, you might be too blinded by love to see what could potentially hurt you in the future. In the same way, give them the opportunity to get to know your guy better so they’ll understand why you’re crazy about him. 

2. WHEN YOU REALLY MEAN, "I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF WE'RE IN A RELATIONSHIP."

The scenario: So you and your guy love hanging out. You go on dates and sometimes even go the extra mile by being intimate. You and your “boy friend” do the things every couple does, but you’re not sure if you can call each other an official couple. 

The solution: You can call it whatever you like: friends with benefits, an open relationship, whatever. But trust us, feelings are bound to factor in sooner or later. What if somebody falls in love with the other? Or what if you are both already in love with each other? The fact that you’re not exclusive may open up a can of worms, so it’s best that you confront the issue head on before either of you gets in too deep. 

3. WHEN YOU REALLY MEAN, "MY FRIENDS THINK HE'S IN THE CLOSET."

The scenario: Your partner totally gets you—you spend hours dissecting Broadway plays, talking about Madonna’s discography, and giving each other skincare tips. Sadly, most of your friends think he’s gay.

The solution: There’s no easy way around this dilemma—you have to talk to him about his sexuality. Some guys are afraid to confront this, so they go through all the motions even though their heart isn’t completely in what they’re doing or the life they’re leading. However, in this situation, honesty is the best policy. This can be a difficult period for you as well, so it’s best to surround yourself with a support group to help you deal with this situation. 

4. WHEN YOU REALLY MEAN, "THERE'S A CHILD INVOLVED."

The scenario: You and your man continue to be in a relationship just to prevent a less-than-ideal family setup for your baby. After all, you can’t bear to have your child live with the stigma of a “broken family.”

The solution: We all want what’s best for our kids, and a perfect family is on top of our list. But the thing is, some couples do drift apart, and some families work better when the parents go their separate ways. Your child should not be the glue that holds a crumbling relationship together. Having your child grow up with loveless parents is far from ideal, so don’t feel pressured to stay together just for your baby’s sake. If you still have feelings for each other, then, by all means, do what you can to make the relationship work. But if you can’t stand each other’s guts, then it may be better to part ways.

5. WHEN YOU REALLY MEAN, "THREE'S A CROWD."

The scenario: He loves you, but he also has feelings for somebody else. Or it could be the other way around—you love him, but things are also going well with another guy. How can you keep the status quo?

The solution: Here’s the cold, hard truth: you can’t keep things the way they are. There’s no way you can juggle two relationships at the same time without eventually hurting one or both parties. It would be better to choose sides and come clean instead of emotionally scarring the person you love.

5 Ways to Celebrate Singlehood

You can still have fun without a man by your side. Here's how...


Who says single women can't have as much fun as couples do? Going solo doesn't mean you have to be miserable. In fact, learning to appreciate and love yourself is a feat worth bragging about--or at least rejoicing in. Whether you're alone or with a group of single friends like yourself, celebrate singlehood with these five suggestions. 


1. HAVE A GIRLS’ NIGHT OUT.
Schedule nights out with the girls regularly. Who says single ladies have to mope around? Show the world just how amazing you and your friends are by hitting the hottest spots in town--with a killer outfit and a confident attitude to boot. 


2. REVEL IN "ME" TIME.
 Being in a relationship takes a huge chunk out of your time, so take this opportunity toenjoy being with yourself. Try packing your bags for a weekend trip out of town or out of the country, and discover the world at your own leisure. Thinking of trying out something new? Sign up for that fashion design course you’ve been dying to try out. Need a little time to clear your head? Go for a day of introspection, and plan for the future. 


3. PAMPER YOURSELF.
Take a day off to de-stress. Go for a full body massage or a new hair treatment, indulge in retail therapy, or stay in bed and watch Johnny Depp movies until midnight. Who says you need to be in a relationship to feel good about yourself? Indulge yourselfwith a well-deserved treat.Self-love doesn’t need to have an explanation, after all.

4. SHARE THE LOVE BY VOLUNTEERING.
Do some volunteer work.  If you’re not sure where to go, check out our previous articleon 10 charitable institutions, which champion various causes. You can also go forrandom acts of kindness, such as treating your stressed colleague for lunch, helping a friend in need, or even smiling at the rude teller behind the counter. 


5. CATCH UP WITH THE FAMILY.
Spend time with your folks and siblings. You can do something as simple as whipping up dinner at home. Follow it up with a movie marathon or a board gametournament. You can also round up your relatives for a reunion, so you can catch up with your titos, titas, and cousins.