Strawberries can spice up your sex life

Eating strawberries and raspberries can increase your sex dive, a nutritionist claimed today.

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.

Second, a woman's body apparantly prepares itself for sex more quickly if zinc levels are high.

A man can deplete his 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.

Beneficial in the bedroom

"my message is simple: every time you have sex, or simply want to ready yourself or your prtner for sex you should consume a handful of raspberries or strawberries.

"And it's not just the zinc content of the berries which is beneficial in the bedroom.

"They are incredibly high in antioxidants 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 content of strawberries and raspberries by British Summer Fruits, the marketing arm of leding 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".

"The findings show berries to be as close as you can get to the perfect fruit."

British strawberries and raspberries will be available in shops from June to November.

Daily Mail, 24th May 2004