This Valentine’s Day, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends and booty calls around the world will take to the kitchen in hopes of amazing their special someone. If they’re lucky, all of their planning and prepping will have paid off and they’ll end their night by getting lucky.

Consider this my Valentine’s Day gift to any of you hoping to impress your way from the kitchen to the bedroom. Incorporate as many foods as you can from this list of aphrodisiacs into your Valentine’s Day meals. Not only will they arouse and excite your taste buds, but will have you and your significant other lusting for one another by the end of the meal.

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Pomegranates
Pomegranates are loaded with antioxidants that protect the lining of blood vessels, allowing more blood to course through them. They also help to lower cortisol levels, which correspond with increased testosterone levels. Of course this leads to heightened moods and increased sexual desire and sensitivity (in the right places).

 

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Bananas
Bananas contain bromelain, an enzyme that triggers testosterone production. The potassium and vitamin B in bananas also help to elevate energy levels.

 

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Watermelon
Phytonutrient citrulline leads to an increase in the amount of nitric oxide in your body. That surge causes blood vessels to release, speeding up circulation. As a result, you’ll get more aroused in less time.

 

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Beets
Beets are a natural source of tryptophan and betaine, substances that promote a feeling of excitement. They also have high amounts of boron, a mineral that increases the level of sex hormones.

 

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Honey

Honey contains boron as well, which, in addition to helping regulate hormone levels, gives a boost of energy. Honey also increases nitric oxide production, which is released in the blood during arousal.

 

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Oysters

We all know oysters to be the clichéd aphrodisiac, but it has its rep for a reason. Oysters contain amino acids and zinc, which crank up the production of testosterone and other sex hormones.

 

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Hot Chilies
A chemical called capsaicin found in spicy peppers increases circulation to get blood pumping. It also increases heart rate and stimulates nerve endings. You’ll feel hot and bothered and even more turned on.

 

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Asparagus & Avocados
The vitamin E in these green foods helps your body turn out hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. These hormones circulate in your bloodstream and stimulate sexual responses, especially for the ladies.

 

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Salmon & Walnuts
Omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like salmon and walnuts keep sex-hormone production at its peak. Make a walnut-crusted salmon for dinner and you and your partner may need to skip dessert.

 

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Red Wine
Resveratrol in red wine is an antioxidant that helps boost blood flow and improves circulation before and during playtime.

 

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Vanilla
There’s nothing boring about the effects of vanilla. It stimulates nerves, making sensations even more intense for both males and females.

 

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Chocolate
Cocoa contains the chemical phenylethylamine, a stimulant that invokes subtle feelings of amusement and excitement—this can (and most likely will) make sex seem like a great idea. No wonder the classic Valentine’s Day gift is a heart-shaped box of chocolates…