Cassanova ate dozens every morning to help him keep busy. Oysters have long had a reputation of being aphrodisiacs. And some scientific evidence is coming in, although there is no single ingredient that explains the oyster effect.

Several biochemical mechanisms have been documented that may explain the reputation that oysters have built up over the years. Individually, it is not clear if any of these are strong enough to have an effect, but in combination, it may give some people a boost in the britches.

• Zinc, Iodine, and other trace minerals
• Unusual Amino Acids - Aspartic Acid, NMDA & Taurine
• Omega-3 Fatty acids
• Cholesterol

A few years ago, Zinc was the explanation for oysters' ability to boost libido. A deficiency of zinc can limit testosterone production in the body, and oysters are loaded with zinc. It makes sense, and probably explains part of the oyster effect.

Iodine is another chemical element found in oysters and other sea food. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production, and in some people, a moderate dose of iodine can give a noticeable boost to respiration, body temperature, and physical activity.

Recently, Italian researchers found that oysters are particularly rich in two unusual amino acids: D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). These amino acids do more than act as building blocks for protein ... they act as neurotransmitters and are stimulants. Dr D'Aniello found that injecting these amino acids into lab animals had significant effects on the nervous system and soon led to increased levels of sex hormones like testosterone and progesterone.

Oysters are also unusually rich in the amino acid taurine. Taurine is most famous as an ingredient in energy drinks like Red Bull. Taurine has a reputation for helping with hangovers, and people with migraine and cluster headache are reporting relief from these energy drinks and from taurine pills.

The scientific community has devoted a lot of attention to omega-3 fats in recent years; these essential fatty acids are essential for nerve function, and they appear to reduce inflammation that can cause hypertension and some types of heart disease. Some, including Dr. Ray Sahelian, claim that omega-3s can improve cognition and libido.

In traditional Chinese Medicine, oysters, lobsters, sea-cucumbers and other shellfish are all considered yang-tonics, a category that includes many other aphrodisiacs. While not proof per se, the fact that Chinese medicine considers oysters as aphrodisiacs might be a pointer.

Cholesterol gets a bad rap these days. And too much cholesterol for too long a time is a risk factor for heart disease. But cholesterol is also a necessary nutrient for all cells. Cholesterol not serves as a building block for cell membranes, it is the essential starting material for testosterone and other sex hormones. Is it possible that an occasional meal of cholesterol rich oysters can boost testosterone. Maybe. Especially if the cholesterol is consumed with zinc and other factors that convert cholesterol into sex steroids.

Psychology of Oyster Eaters

Some people have dismissed the alleged aphrodisiac effect of oysters as purely psychological. Clearly, there is a psychological effect for some people. Oysters have been compared to the genitals. Psychologists use the term 'sympathetic magic' to refer to peoples tendencies to vest powers in an object based on its shape, color, and texture - and oysters can certainly be called sympathetic to the gonads.

It has also been noted that people who are frisky might be more likely to seek out foods that have sexual connontations. A willingness to eat oysters on a date might be sending a conscious or subconscious signal that they are up for it. Or as some have suggested, if you can get a woman to put an oyster in her mouth, you can probably get her to put anything in her mouth.

Health Issues

Raw oysters do pose somewhat of a health risk. Oysters are filter-feeders that can accumulate toxins and bacteria that are present in a body of water. In particular, the Vibrio bacteria is sometimes present in raw oysters, and eating them can cause serious illness and death. Safeoysters.org is a website run by the University of Georgia and the University of California. They have a balanced discussion of the risks of eating raw oysters, and they work to improve the safety of oysters and educate the public.

According to Safeoysters, Vibrio is a bacteria that causes relatively few problems in healthy individuals, but it poses a real threat to the very young, the elderly, and those with some pre-existing health problems. About 40% of all Vibrio infections in the U.S. have been linked to eating raw oysters; the other 60% occur when people swim in waters where the bacteria is present.

It is not clear if cooking destroys or reduces the aphrodisiac properties of oysters.

Oyster shooters have a strong following - the basic recipe is an oyster, an ounce of vodka, and some tabasco and/or horseradish according to taste. Pickling raw oysters in a high proof alcohol is one way to kill bacteria. Let them saturate in the fridge for at least a week, and make sure that there is plenty of hooch as a disinfectant.

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