These foods turn can turn Valentine’s Day from sexy to sickening
Key Takeaways
Industry Buzz
"Oysters are high in zinc which can help to boost testosterone. [They] also contain vitamin C, omega-3s, and so on, and that can help to improve sperm quality and heart health. — Nutritionist @charlotte_chew
“The bottom line is to really make sure that your foods are cooked thoroughly, [...] whether it's meat, fish, or poultry.” — Rudolph Bedford, MD
Don’t be surprised if you see an influx of patients for foodborne illness this Valentine’s Day.
The uptick of cases every year—on or close to Valentine’s Day—occurs for a number of reasons, including risks associated with certain celebratory activities: Partaking in “aphrodisiacs” like raw oysters, strawberries, or chocolates.
Honorable intentions, disastrous effects
Aphrodisiacs are foods or drugs that are said to arouse sexual instinct, desire, or performance. Many natural foods—like those listed above—are thought to have aphrodisiac potential, but rely mostly on anecdotal evidence with little to no scientific backing.[]
But the escapades of historical figures lend some insight on the phenomenon, such as the story of 18th century Italian adventurer Giacomo Casanova, who was said to eat dozens of oysters in one sitting to increase his sexual arousal.[]
Fact or fable, these foods are popular choices for couples celebrating Valentine’s Day. And while they may complement a meal or enhance feelings of friskiness in the moment, they sometimes come with not-so-sweet side effects.
This raw appetizer
Rudolph Bedford, MD, a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, explains that raw oysters can carry multiple types of bacteria and viruses—including E. coli, Vibrio, and norovirus (the latter of which is currently spreading)—that can make people sick.
“The bottom line is to really make sure that your foods are cooked thoroughly and remember that it doesn't matter what it is—whether it's meat, fish, or poultry—the temperature should be high enough to kill any potential[ly] harmful bacteria,” Dr. Bedford says.
@charlotte_chew Oyster for male fertility 🦪 #charlottechew #charlottechewnutritionist #KekalSihat #TikTokGuru #learnontiktok #malefertility #oysters ♬ Capybara - Сто-Личный Она-Нас & Betsy
This ubiquitous dessert
Chocolate can also lead to unpleasant symptoms in the body. As we know, eating excess amounts of sugar can have undesirable impacts on dental health, heart health, and some chronic diseases, but it can also lead to gastrointestinal distress.[]
Perhaps more surprisingly, there is a chemical in chocolate—theobromine, according to Dr. Bedford—that helps facilitate a more-suitable pathway for germs like Salmonella to enter the body, should the product be contaminated. “This chemical does not allow the [body’s] proteins and the acids to break down [certain bacteria], so then the bacteria will survive in your GI tract and start to multiply [and] populate,” Dr. Bedford tells MDLinx.
Depending on the severity of the situation, this kind of illness may set in between 2 and 24 hours and take days to leave the body, he says. He advises anyone experiencing food poisoning or foodborne illness to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods while they are actively sick or recovering. Ask your sweetie to help keep you hydrated, and think about adding electrolyte solutions to water to help with recovery.
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