Whole Life Magazine

October / November 2015

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SEX TALK W hen it comes to sexual desire, please pass the wine. For most of recorded history, our sexual impulses have been interwoven with consumption of intoxicating beverages. And for good reason—what more sensual impulse can we bring to our libido than the warm, relaxed state of mind induced by a single glass of wine? Indeed, the calming sense of well-being that accompanies a small amount of a fermented beverage has made it the drink of choice for 10,000 years. Alcohol is one of the most widely used aphrodisiacs through- out the world. Every culture and time period has had its own se- cret recipes for libido awakening, but the often misunderstood secret of aphrodisiacs, especially alcoholic ones, is that less is more. While alcohol can help to eliminate early social awkward- ness associated with our sexuality, too much eliminates our phys- iological capacity to enjoy it, and may even suppress our ability to remember the experience. As Shakespeare observed in The Tragedy of MacBeth, "It provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance." The array of beverage options is dizzying, but Hippocrates' ancient aphrodisiac blend of a deep red burgundy wine with ginger, cinnamon, clove and vanilla is a good place to start, and it's even backed by science. Recent research by a team of Italian doctors demonstrated the positive effects of red wine on female libido. One proposed explanation was that the antioxidants in red wine have a benefi cial effect on the lining of the blood vessels, increasing blood fl ow to key areas of the body involved in experiencing sexual desire. Not that most readers need experimental proof; 68 percent of women and 45 percent of men report that small amounts of alcohol do increase desire and enhance sex. It's a fi ne line, however, and often we drink not just seeking a boost of confi dence and freedom from inhibitions, but to for- healthy living By Wendy Strgar A single glass of red wine can be an inspiring aphrodisiac IGNITE THE SPIRIT OF PASSION 16 wholelifetimes.com

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