If you look in the dictionary, you’ll find that the word “aphrodisiac” means a food, drink, drug or other agent that arouses sexual desire. Do such foods and beverages actually exist? Throughout the ages, certain edibles have gotten a reputation for being aphrodisiacs. Which foods and drinks, if any, should you work into your meal for an extra sexy and romantic dinner date? Science and superstition can help you decide.

There are several foods and beverages commonly thought of as aphrodisiacs, including oysters, caviar, bananas, chocolate, truffles, spicy peppers, and champagne. There is a little science supporting the claims made in relation to some of these reputed aphrodisiacs. Oysters and caviar both contain high levels of zinc, a nutrient that figures prominently in the production of testosterone and making sure that a guy’s little swimmers are healthy. Pine nuts, also thought to be an aphrodisiac by some cultures, are also high in zinc. Bananas actually contain an enzyme called bromelain that has been shown to enhance performance in men, though their phallic shape and rich texture were what initially caused people to call them aphrodisiacs. Chocolate has been repeatedly studied, and scientists think there are some good reasons to consider it an aphrodisiac. Chocolate contains both serotonin, the feel-good chemical that increases when people are in love, and anandamide. Both of these neurotransmitters increase in our brains to cause feelings of joy and euphoria during sex, so eating chocolate can only further boost those sensations.

Other foods have been deemed aphrodisiacs for superstitious reasons. Spicy peppers are thought to be an aphrodisiac because they make you feel warmer and increase your heart rate, not unlike how your body acts while in the midst of intercourse. That makes sense, but eat too many spicy foods, and you’ll be too distracted by your stomach troubles to care about sex. Truffles have long been considered an aphrodisiac merely because their intense flavor helps to arouse your palate. The theory is that anything which wakes up your taste buds might wake up some other parts of your body, as well. Champagne also warms you up, lowers your inhibitions, and makes you feel giddy and blissful, similar to your body’s reaction during sex. Wine and other alcoholic beverages behave similarly, but if you go overboard, you’ll be more likely to pass out than get busy.

So, should you include any of these aphrodisiacs in your next romantic dinner? Go for it. A few oysters and a couple of glasses of champagne couldn’t hurt. Besides, you might experience a sort of foodie placebo effect. Just talking about the possible aphrodisiac qualities of the food at dinner might get you both in the mood. A lot of these foods also have the potential to be enjoyed in a rather sexy manner. Feeding each other bits of delicious banana dipped in chocolate fondue will probably get more than just your taste buds going. Just don’t overdo it on the alcohol or eat until you’re too full to move. Enjoy the food and drink in moderation, and you and your mate just might end the night with maximum pleasure.