Boron has interesting potential as an aphrodisiac. This mineral has been shown to block the enzyme that breaks down steroids like testosterone and estrogen.

A 1999 study (single-blind crossover design) found that boron significantly increased levels of 17-beta-estradiol, an estogen. There was also a trend towards increased testosterone levels. (PMID:10376277)

A 2004 study found that boron in the diet was associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer; men with the highest boron had less than half the rate of cancerous and precancerous prostates. (reference: PMID: 15010890)

Boron improves the activity of magnesium, calcium, and Vitamin D. Boron has been shown to benefit a number of congnitive and physical tests, includng eye-hand coordination, attention, perception, encoding and short-term memory, and long-term memory. PMID:7889884.

Aphrodisiology's bottom line: Boron may lead to moderate increase in sex steroids. It may also have a general beneficial effect on people with low levels. It is quite innexpensive (2-4 cents a day), and a 3 mg supplement appears to be without any significant side effects.

Boron is the cinderella-sister of minerals; it has been largely ignored by most nutritionists. There is still no agreement on whether boron is a required mineral, although the science community is heading that direction.

Most Boron supplements contain 3 mg of the element. Dietary intake of Boron is highest with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (6-12 mg/day) and may be less than 3 mg for people who eat many processed foods.

Boron may be synergistic with Zinc.