by Athena Goodlight

Created on: February 08, 2009   Last Updated: February 09, 2009

There are reasons behind chef's choices for the Valentine's day or special couples' date menu. The next time you order your meal or plan to cook for your special someone, take note of certain ingredients that will boost not only your palatable experience but also the bedroom event that will follow.

Here are scientifically proven foods that will boost your hormones and libido.

1. Bananas are perfect food for bedroom endurance. These contain vitamin B which, aside from being the key to convert carbohydrates into energy, is believed to help manufacture sex hormones such as testosterone.

If you want to go for that extra monkey business mile, fuel up by munching on one a few hours before the intended bang.

2. Celery makes a man irresistible. Raw celery contains the male hormone androsterone, which can act as a pheromone to trigger female attraction. In women, the androsterone in celery helps elevate the mood, according to the Journal of Fertility and Sterility.

3. Dark chocolate triggers the "feel good" body chemicals called endorphins. A recent Italian study found that women who report eating chocolate on a daily basis claim to have more satisfying sex lives. Chocolate also provides small amounts of anxiety -quelling tryptophan, arousing caffeine, and a few substances such as anandamaide and theobromine- that in large quantities work like a psychedelic drug and an opiate respectively.

Now you understand why chocolate is a very popular Valentine's Day gift.

4. Ginger stimulates the circulatory system increasing blood flow to the genitals which causes erection and more sensitivity. Smelling ginger has a stronger effect on penile and vaginal blood than actually eating it. Fresh ginger has a stronger smell than the powdered version or the ones stuffed in a jar.

5. Honey gives more energy and contributes to arousal. The simple carbohydrates it contains provides instant energy and fuel for working muscles. It is also rich in B vitamins which are needed for testosterone production, and it contains boron which helps the body metabolize and use estrogen - an important part of blood flow and arousal.

6. Oysters crank up your mojo. The high level of zinc in oysters encourages the production of testosterone.

Research shows that mussels, clams and oysters deliver two types of amino acids that spark a rush of sex hormones. To be more effective, you have to chew the shellfish really well in order to extract more of the sexy mineral.

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