Strawberries help you feel fruity.

Eating strawberries and raspberries can increase your sex drive, a nutritionist claimed yesterday.

Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute for Optimism Nutrition, said both fruits have high levels of zinc in their seeds, which unlike most fruits are eaten rather than removed.Zinc he explained is the nutrient most associated with sex.

Patrick Holford, founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, said both fruits have high levels of zinc in their seeds, which unlike most fruits are eaten rather than removed.

Zinc he explained, is the nutrient most associated with sex for a number of reasons. These include the fact it governs testosterone, which is needed for sperm production, secondly, a woman’s body apparently prepares itself for sex more quickly if zinc levels are high.

A man can deplete his body’s entire zinc supply if he has sex three times in 24 hours according to Mr Holford whose London-based charity was established in 1984 to study and research nutrition.

“My message is simple: every time you have sex, or simply want to ready yourself or your partner for sex you should consume a handful of raspberries or strawberries, and it is not just the zinc content which is beneficial in the bedroom”. they are incredibly high in anti-oxidants which helps to optimise blood flow to the sex organs and they have the lowest glycaemic load of any fruit meaning they provide sustained energy levels at only a few calories”.

Mr Holford was commissioned to analyse the nutritional contents of strawberries and raspberries by British Summer Fruits, the marketing arm of leading UK soft fruit growers.

Laurence Olins, chairman of British Summer Fruits, said: “Let this be a call to arms for the men and women of the UK. Patrick’s findings show berries to be as close as you can get to the perfect fruit."

Birmingham Post May 25th 2004