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Your sex life, your way
Reviewed by Kelly Brown MD, MBA
Written by Geoffrey C. Whittaker
Published 11/25/2021
Updated 04/22/2024
If you’ve ever searched online or talked with your friends about food that improves sexual function, you’ve probably heard that oysters can result in a stronger sex drive and better sex. But before you book your next date night at a swanky seafood spot, read on to see just how much of that reputation is based in science.
First, the answer to everyone’s oysters libido/oysters aphrodisiac question: while oysters do not have some magic power that’ll enhance your sex drive, they do contain a few essential nutrients necessary for a thriving libido and sex life.
Below, we’ve explained the potential effects that oysters may have on your sex drive, as well as the mixed scientific evidence to support their sexual effects. We’ve also shared some more proven approaches for boosting your sex drive, increasing testosterone production or maintaining an erection. Let’s dig in.
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There’s insignificant support to say that oysters can improve sex drive in men. Certain vitamins and minerals in oysters seem to contribute to oysters’ reputation as an aphrodisiac and natural treatment for a weak sex drive or low testosterone levels, but science has not proven this to be true.
Still, oysters contain compounds that have been directly or indirectly linked to aspects of sexual health and well-being. So what do oysters do to a man? Here’s what science says:
Zinc is an important mineral for male sexual health. Research suggests that low zinc levels may have a negative effect on the production of testosterone — an essential hormone for maintaining a strong sex drive.
Oysters are an extremely good source of zinc, with a typical three-ounce serving of raw oysters containing approximately three times your recommended daily intake.
So, does this mean that eating oysters will increase your testosterone levels and make you feel more sexually aroused? Not necessarily. Although zinc and testosterone appear linked, there’s no clear evidence showing that eating oysters directly boosts testosterone production.
As such, it’s best to consider the zinc content in oysters as being good for your overall health, not necessarily your testosterone levels.
One of oysters’ benefits for males and females is heart health. Like other types of seafood, oysters contain omega-3 fatty acids — a group of fats that may help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Heart disease is a common risk factor for certain types of sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction (ED). However, it’s not clear that eating oysters has any meaningful impact on your erections or ability to function in bed.
Still, if you’re debating between a burger and half-rack of oysters, keep in mind that the healthier fats in oysters may prove better for your heart health.
D-aspartic acid is an amino acid that plays a role in several important systems within your body, including the endocrine system — your body’s network of glands that develops hormones. It’s one of several amino acids found inside oysters, and researchers are curious about its effects.
Some animal research suggests that D-aspartic acid may enhance testosterone levels, possibly by improving the function of the testes.
While this finding might look promising, research related to the effects of D-aspartic acid in humans is very limited, with the small handful of studies available at the moment showing inconsistent results.
It’s probably better to think of the D-aspartic acid in oysters as a “maybe” when it comes to improving sexual health versus a “sure thing” for increasing testosterone, enhancing blood flow or boosting your level of sexual arousal.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that controls feelings of motivation and reward. Some research suggests that dopamine may be involved in certain aspects of human sexual behavior, including feelings of motivation regarding sex and genital reflexes.
And since zinc may help your body maintain healthy levels of dopamine, it’s believed by some that consuming foods rich in zinc — like oysters— may stimulate dopamine production and promote healthier sexual function and enhanced sexual pleasure.
However, there isn’t any high-quality evidence to suggest that increasing your zinc intake is an effective way to increase dopamine levels, or that higher dopamine enhances sexual health or functioning.
Considering all the scientific evidence that supports zinc’s positive effects on your sex drive, things are, well, a little murky. The same is true when it comes to the evidence that zinc works as an aphrodisiac, increasing sexual desire or pleasure.
Oysters have been referred to as one of nature’s great aphrodisiacs for decades. Legend has it that Casanova himself ate 50 oysters every morning. And while the 18th century rumors about these shellfish/mollusk bivalves still haven’t been definitively substantiated, they keep swirling.
Part of this is because aphrodisiacs aren’t well-defined from a scientific perspective. For the most part, they’re more urban legend than hard science, with little evidence to suggest that any food — be it oysters, figs or chocolate — makes sex more appealing or enjoyable.
So, why are oysters an aphrodisiac?
Oysters are an aphrodisiac insofar as they’ve made their way onto this word-of-mouth list, but the placebo effect may be clouding the supposed efficacy of aphrodisiacs in general — with our beliefs about certain foods and other natural substances likely contributing more to any sexual effects than the specific chemicals they contain.
This appears to be the case with oysters, but don’t let that put you off. As a fantastic source of zinc and dietary protein, eating oysters can have some real benefits for your well-being, albeit not as much for your sexual exploits as you might have heard.
While oysters may not be quite as good at improving your sexual health as many people appear to think, there are proven, evidence-based options out there for improving your sexual function.
That’s great news, because sex has been linked to lower blood pressure, stronger self-esteem, improved heart health and lessened anxiety.
Further, the more we have sex, the better our sexual performance usually gets — not a bad bonus.
Currently, the most effective ways to improve your sexual function are to live a healthy life and, if appropriate, use medication to treat issues as they occur.
When it comes to improving your lifestyle for better sex, simple things like eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly can have a big impact on your well-being. Our guide to simple habits that can boost your sexual performance breaks it down.
Many of these habits may also help to increase your production of testosterone, which is one of several key factors in a healthy sex drive. They also offer other major health benefits, from your body composition to your overall quality of life.
As for medications for better sex, ED drugs such as sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®) and avanafil (Stendra®) can all make it easier to get and maintain an erection when you feel sexually aroused.
As for premature ejaculation — another common male sexual function issue — products like our Delay Spray for Men are much more likely to boost your performance in bed and contribute to a romantic evening than dozens of oysters.
Based on the research we have available today, there are many better options out there for boosting your sexual function than oysters. If you’re concerned about your abilities in bed, or if you just feel anxious before sex, you may want to consider giving them a go.
History is replete with sensational stories of foods, spices and other natural substances that are supposedly responsible for superhuman sexual powers — from Italian Giacomo Girolamo Casanova and oysters to ancient Greek tales of figs and dates.
The reality, however, is that most “sexual superfoods” don’t appear to do quite as much for your sexual function as claimed — although many do offer other health benefits.
Oysters are a great source of zinc and protein, but research on their aphrodisiac properties isn’t very convincing. As such, it seems best to enjoy them for their nutrients and taste, not solely as a source of sexual fuel.
As for improving your sexual function, you’ll likely get far better results by using evidence-based treatments for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation than by relying on anything you’re able to purchase from your local supermarket.
A healthy sex life is a healthy life, so it’s critical to prioritize your sexual wellbeing whatever it takes.
Interested in learning more about your options? You can get support now by taking part in an ED consultation online.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.
She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.
Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.
Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.
Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.
Education & Training
Andrology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin
Urology Residency, University of California San Francisco
M.D. Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineB.S. in Radiologic Science, Chemistry Minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Published as Kelly Walker
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