From oysters to chocolates, many foods are regularly touted as powerful aphrodisiacs.
But if you really want to boost your libido, a new study suggests an unusual alternative.
Research has revealed that eating grasshoppers (Ruspolia nitidula) can improve your sex drive.
What’s more, this dietary change can also improve sleep, hair quality, and overall health, according to researchers from the University of Dschang.
‘Our findings highlight the significant potential of edible insects like Ruspolia nitidula as alternative protein sources,’ said Dr Ngnaniyyi Abdoul, who led the study.
There are some 2,000 edible insects worldwide, many of which are high in protein, such as black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, crickets and locusts.
In their new study, the team set out to understand the health benefits of incorporating edible insects into our diets.
The team enlisted 216 rats, which were fed either fish or Ruspolia nitidula grasshoppers over a 12 week period.
Throughout the study, the researchers monitored the rats’ libido, sleep, hair growth, and overall health.
The results revealed that the rats fed with grasshoppers exhibited enhanced libido than those fed fish – including increased levels of sexual intercourse and ejaculations.
Sleep quality also improved, with rats experiencing longer, most restful sleep when fed grasshoppers.
Meanwhile, the hair quality of the grasshopper-fed rats was ‘notably superior’, with 94.58 per cent of hairs in optimal condition compared to just 5.55 per cent in the rats fed with fish.
While this study only focused on rats, the researchers say the same findings could apply to humans.
‘The grasshopper meal not only meets nutritional needs but also offers substantial health benefits, including improved libido, better sleep, and enhanced hair quality, with far-reaching implications for both animal and human diets,’ Dr Abdoul added.
Unfortunately, research suggests that some popele will need convincing in order to adopt insects into their diets.
A survey in 2022 revealed that almost 70 per cent of people are unwilling to adopt a ‘bushtucker trial’ diet – including insects such as mealworms – in order to save the planet.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey found 67 per cent of people said ‘nothing could make them try edible insects’, 13 per cent could be persuaded if they knew it was safe to eat, 11 per cent would if they ‘looked appetising’ and 37 per cent were willing to try insects ground up into food.
FSA chief scientific adviser Professor Robin May said the findings show the importance consumers place on the safe and proper regulation of food.
‘Our priority is to protect consumer interests by ensuring food is safe and what it says it is through a robust scientific process. We recognise the potential of alternative proteins for improving dietary health and as part of a sustainable food system,’ he said.
‘This important survey highlights that, while many consumers are considering trying alternative proteins, they will quite rightly only do so if they are confident that these products are safe and properly regulated.
‘Consequently, we are working closely with businesses and trade bodies to ensure they make effective use of the FSA’s existing regulatory framework so that consumers can benefit from innovative food products whilst still having full confidence in their safety.’
