Who would have thunk it? Pizza is an aphrodisiac. People are passionate about their pizza…now we know why. When you choose your toppings wisely, chances are that eating this well-known comfort food could lead to sumptuous, hot, mouth-wateringly gooey sex. Just be careful not to burn the roof of your mouth.

Pizzagra

The Viagra of the pizza world may be available to consumers soon. Iceland, a UK-based supermarket chain, is currently developing a frozen pizza aptly called Pizzagra that the company says will “set pulses racing and libidos leaping.” 

“Food has long been associated with the art of seduction so we’re combining romance with one of the most widely enjoyed foods in the UK,” said Iceland’s Steve Sweeney. 

Pizzagra contains items the company says are “renowned for their ability to lift the libido in both men and women,” including artichoke, asparagus, ginger, chocolate, strawberry, and banana.  Garlic, which is thought to combat impotence, is another Pizzagra ingredient, as is onion, which ancient Egyptian priests were forbidden to eat because they were considered sexy.

“When food was not as readily available as it is today, undernourishment could cause loss of libido as well as reduced fertility rates. Any foods that possessed qualities to help boost a flagging libido were obviously a very practical as well as a pleasant addition to the diet,” said Iceland dietician, Jenny Roberts, in a press release.  “The ‘Pizzagra’ features foods that have been used for centuries as aphrodisiacs and all offer different vitamin and chemical properties.”

Pizza Pizza    

Not to be outdone by Pizzagra, Toronto-based Pizza Pizza jumped on the aphrodisiac bandwagon and has commissioned experts to scrutinize the properties of an assortment of pizza toppings in an effort to pinpoint exactly which ingredients have the ability to heighten passion.

Cheese contains phenylethylamine, or PEA, a natural amphetamine that the brain manufactures in response to the feelings of love, according to Pizza Pizza. The PEA content in cheese is approximately 10 times greater than in chocolate.

Although cheese topped the list as the most passion-boosting ingredient, olives, jalapenos, and tomatoes were also found to induce sexual fervor.

Research Research

Dr. Alan Hirsh of the Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Illinois led a group of experts to carry out research which clearly showed the aphrodisiac qualities of pizza. The results, which were presented during the Congress of the American Psychosomatic Society in New Orleans, revealed the effects of some fragrances on the quantity of blood flow produced by the body.  When put on a steaming hot pizza, the fragrance produced by mozzarella, tomato and oregano act as a sexual stimulant, causing a 40 percent increase in blood flow in men’s sexual organs.
During testing, some men were blindfolded and had to smell a series of different fragrances while having their blood flow monitored.  Dr. Hirsh and his team had the participants smell various items including lavender, licorice, doughnuts, pumpkin cake, etc.  Pizza caused the strongest reactions and placed it among the most stimulating, according to Dr. Hirsch.

For the Love of Cheese

Could Casanova be wrong?  The infamous 18th century Italian playboy was said to have relied on a diet rich in red wine and stilton cheese to keep his libido healthy. 

Italian culture has always embraced cheese as an aphrodisiac, with a fragrance being said by some to resemble the scent of a woman. Australian researcher Dr. Max Lake has performed extensive investigation into the connection between sexual arousal and culinary scents.  He found that “the vaguely sexual odors of certain cheeses may be pleasant to both men and women.” Lake surmises that in addition to cheese’s high levels of PEA, part of its sexual influence can be attributed to its scent. “The five-carbon fatty acid that gives most cheeses their flavor is a close relative to a mid-cycle vaginal pheromone,” according to Lake.

All in the Tomato

The tomato has been called the “love apple,” and was linked to the Garden of Eden being considered the “other forbidden fruit.” Some even claim that it was the tomato, and not the apple, that Eve bit into in the Garden of Eden.  As recently as the 19th century, Catholics expressed reservations regarding the tomato’s morality and included it on a list of forbidden dishes. 

Erotic Artichoke

At one time, artichokes were considered a delicacy and were reserved for male consumption. It was thought that artichokes could improve sexual potency and in 16th century France, women were denied the right to eat artichokes because to enhance their sexual power was forbidden and those women who risked scandal to eat them were thought to have loose morals. Artichokes are said to produce a feeling of euphoria and ancient Greeks ate them to secure the birth of male children.

Chocolate on Pizza?

We’ve all taken it for granted that chocolate is an aphrodisiac and with science now backing up what was once an assumption, we’ll probably be eating more of it—but spread on your Pizzagra pie? Obviously this is up to the individual, but if your penchant for pizza and chocolate is strong enough, you might want to consider giving it a try. Recipes abound from adding chocolate to your pizza dough to making an entire pizza from chocolate.

With fairly high PEA levels and serotonin, chocolate can give you a hormone rush that “feels like the rush of intercourse,” according to aphrodisiac expert Amy Reiley.  In her book, Fork Me, Spoon Me: The Sensual Cookbook, Reiley builds on chocolate’s aphrodisiac reputation with delectable recipes.           
The cacao bean, from which chocolate is derived, was used not only by ancient Mayans to pay for prostitutes but by the great Aztec ruler, Montezuma, who, it is said, consumed as many as 50 cups of chocolate elixir before heading off to his harem of 600 women.

Some Other Pizzagra Toppings

Chocolate is not the only desert topping to be included on the Pizzagra pie. Make room for a sprinkling of strawberries and bananas. 

Strawberries

Described in erotic text as “fruit nipples,” strawberries have been touted as an aphrodisiac since the times of the Roman Empire.  Because of their heart shape and succulent red hue, strawberries were seen as a symbol of Venus, the goddess of love. Newlyweds in provincial France drank cold strawberry soup in order to boost their sex drives in time for their honeymoons and legends suggest that if two people split a strawberry and share it, they will fall in love. Depicted in folklore, art and poetry since as early as 200 BC, strawberries gained their reputation from their large number of seeds, which symbolized fertility. Containing essential vitamins and minerals needed to supply energy, strawberries are able to turn an uninspired libido into one that dazzles. 

Bananas

The visual aspect of a banana alone is reminiscent of the sex act. Its phallic shape is sure to conjure up some exciting reflection, but bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins which are said to be necessary for sex hormone production. In addition, bananas contain enzymes called bromelain which contribute to testosterone production. 

What’ll it be while we wait with baited and heated breath for Pizzagra’s big launch?  Extra cheese?  Half strawberry, half banana with a dollop of chocolate spread?  Maybe heavy on all the toppings?  This is for you and your partner to decide.  But, don’t forget:  Inhale first to get the full aphrodisiac effect.