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 sexual desire.
Additionally, this dietary change may also improve sleep, hair quality and overall health, according to researchers at Dschang University.
“Our findings highlight the significant potential of edible insects such as Ruspolia nitidula as alternative protein sources,” said Dr Ngnaniyyi Abdoul, who led the study.
From oysters to chocolates, many foods are routinely touted as potent aphrodisiacs. But if you really want to boost your libido, a new study suggests an unusual alternative (file image)
There are about 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 diet.
The team recruited 216 rats, which were fed either fish or Ruspolia nitidula grasshoppers for a 12-week period.
Throughout the study, researchers monitored the rats’ libido, sleep, hair growth and overall health.
The results revealed that rats fed grasshoppers exhibited enhanced libido than those fed fish, including higher levels of sexual intercourse and ejaculations.
Research has found that eating grasshoppers (Ruspolia nitidula) can improve sexual desire (file image)
Sleep quality also improved: rats experienced longer, more restful sleep when fed grasshoppers.
Meanwhile, the hair quality of the grasshopper-fed rats was “significantly superior,” with 94.58 percent of hairs in optimal condition compared to just 5.55 percent in the fish-fed rats.
Although this study only focused on rats, the researchers say the same findings could apply to humans.
“Grasshopper flour not only meets nutritional needs, but also offers significant health benefits, including improved libido, better sleep and better hair quality, with far-reaching implications for animal and human diets,” added Dr. Abdoul.
Unfortunately, research suggests that some people will need convincing to adopt insects into their diets.
A 2022 survey found that nearly 70 percent of people are unwilling to adopt a “bushtucker diet” (including insects such as mealworms) to save the planet.
The team recruited 216 rats, which were fed either fish or grasshoppers Ruspolia nitidula for 12 weeks. Throughout the study, the researchers monitored the rats’ libido, sleep, hair growth and overall health.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey found that 67 per cent of people said “nothing would make them try edible insects”, 13 per cent could be persuaded to eat them if they knew they were safe, 11 per cent would do so if they “looked appetising” and 37 per cent were willing to try ground up insects in food.
Professor Robin May, FSA chief scientific adviser, said the findings show the importance consumers place on safe and appropriate food regulation.
“Our priority is to protect the interests of consumers by ensuring that foods are safe and deliver on their promises through a robust scientific process. We recognise the potential of alternative proteins to improve 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 only do so if they are confident that these products are safe and appropriately regulated.
‘We are therefore 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 having full confidence in their safety.’