Eating strawberries and raspberries increases the sex drive of both men and women, a new study conducted for British Summer Fruits has found. The reason lies in the exceptionally high levels of zinc found in the fruits’ seeds, which unlike most fruits are eaten rather than removed.
Zinc is the nutrient most associated with sex for three principle reasons: First, it is the nutrient that governs testosterone, which is needed for sperm production. Second, a woman’s body prepares itself for sex more quickly if zinc levels are high, and third, human sperm is packed with it. If a man were to have sex just three times in 24 hours, his entire zinc supply could be depleted.
Patrick Holford, the founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, found strawberries, followed by raspberries, came out top.
“My message is simple: every time you have sex, or simply want to ready yourself or your partner for sex you should consume a handful of raspberries or strawberries,” said Holford. “And it’s not just the zinc content of the berries which is beneficial in the bedroom. They are incredibly high in anti-oxidants which helps to optimise blood flow to the sex organs, and they have the lowest glycaemic load of any fruit meaning they provide sustained energy levels at only a few calories.”
Laurence Olins, chairman of British Summer Fruits, the industry body which represents 98 per cent of all the soft fruits sold through supermarkets, said: “Let this be a call to arms for the men and women of the UK. Patrick’s findings show berries to be as close as you can get to the perfect fruit. A serving of strawberries or raspberries a day - whether as a snack, a smoothie or in a recipe - should be top of everyone’s list.”
In addition to improving male and female sex drive, strawberries and raspberries provide numerous other benefits. They help reverse the signs of ageing, help prevent cancer, hayfever and asthma, boost energy levels, aid concentration and help hangovers. They are also great for anyone watching their weight and who needs sustained energy.
• British Summer Fruits website is www.britishsummerfruits.co.uk
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