“Aphrodisiacs are agents which are used to increase sexual desire. The name comes from the Greek goddess of sensuality, Aphrodite,” said Ronda Bokram, a nutritionist at Olin Health Center. “Through time, foods, drinks and even behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable or pleasurable.”

Whether the effects of such foods are mythical or science-based, lover psychology may be enough to render them useful as a libido or romance enhancer.

“From a historical and scientific standpoint, the desired results may be because their users have chosen to believe they will be effective,” Bokram said. “For example, bananas, because of their phallic shape, and cinnamon have been thought to ‘heat’ the body.”

These alleged romantic miracle workers can be found locally, from the common, like chocolate, to the exotic, like oysters, for those wanting to try their effects.

Erin Rossell, barista at Great Lakes Chocolate & Coffee Company, 500 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 190, in Lansing, said truffles are the most popular chocolates among her customers around Valentine’s Day.

“(Truffles) look a lot nicer because they’re decorated and fancier than the regular assorted chocolates, and they’re really, really rich in taste,” Rossell said.

That may be for a reason, as the U.S. News article said chocolate contains the neurotransmitters serotonin and anandamide, which can cause happy, euphoric feelings toward a romantic partner.

“Chocolate is great. Girls love chocolate. It can be such a sensual thing to share with someone because it’s so rich,” Rossell said.

For lovers looking for more adventure in their palates and their pants, oysters may be another alternative as they may boost the production of testosterone due to their high zinc content, according to the U.S. News article.

Vanessa North, a chef at Mitchell’s Fish Market, 2975 Preyde Blvd., in Lansing, said customers like to order oysters around Valentine’s Day since they are considered a romantic food.

“As for what I’ve heard is that in terms of an aphrodisiac, I think people like oysters because it’s more of a delicate food and they come in a shell and people can feed them to each other,” North said. “We definitely sell a lot of them and we’ve already doubled our order for them in preparation for next week.”

Bokram said when trying potential aphrodisiacs, though, it’s important to use common sense and avoid foods that could cause bad breath or food allergies.

Keeping this in mind, the moral of the story is that it’s possible to use your sense of culinary exploration to spice things up between you and that special someone.