Can Food Come to the Romance Rescue?

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -- Can you discover romance over a candlelight dinner? Well, here's the bad news. No foods have been scientifically proven to stimulate those particular body parts. So, Beth Czerwony, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic, said unless you have a craving for oysters, you might want to pass.

"Everyone thinks that oysters are a natural aphrodisiac ... because it is a little exotic ... and a little bit out of the ordinary," she explained. "Really what it is, is back in the day when most people had a zinc deficiency, oysters are very rich in zinc, so having more oysters increases your libido, but we really don't find that that's an issue in today's society."

Czerwony said only if you have a zinc deficiency will oysters affect your libido. Now, here's the good news. Certain foods can generate good feelings, such as chocolate, or create warmth, like curry dishes. In fact, exotic dishes may stimulate some excitement between the two of you.

Czerwony said it's not necessarily the food that will create the spark between you and your significant other on Valentine's Day. It's the feeling it may evoke.

"Just knowing what your partner's favorite meal is or maybe a memory of a good meal that you shared together or maybe something from their childhood that brings back some good memories," she remarked.

So, the food itself might not light up your libido, but eating together or sharing foods can be very sensual, as long as you pick the right foods.