"Natural aphrodisiac" is a marketing word, not a nutrition fact. A 2015 review of about 50 articles on popular aphrodisiac products sold in the United States found that randomized clinical trial data are often lacking, and that more trials are needed before health care practitioners can recommend most aphrodisiac products. Dates don't need that label. What they do well is simpler: they are a sweet fruit you can turn into a snack in a few minutes, before a workout, a long drive or a busy afternoon.
Three simple date-based snack recipes
Stuffed dates with almonds
Split a Piarom or Mazafati date, remove the pit, press in a whole almond or a piece of walnut. That's it. The nut adds crunch and a savoury edge that balances how sweet the date is.
Date and oat energy balls
Blend a cup of pitted dates with a cup of rolled oats and a spoon of peanut butter (one with no added sugar) until it sticks together, roll into small balls, chill for twenty minutes. No baking and no added sugar, because the dates do the sweetening.
Dates with dark chocolate and sea salt
Dip a pitted date half in melted dark chocolate, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt, let it set. Use a few squares of chocolate for a whole tray rather than a thick coat on each date, so it stays a small treat.
Three Iranian dates that suit these recipes
Mazafati is dark, very soft and high in moisture, and it needs to be kept in the fridge. Piarom is dark and semi-dry, with a thin skin. Mariami is another dark, semi-dry, chewy date. Any of the three works in all of these recipes.
Why dates work as a snack base
A review of more than 80 references found date flesh low in fat and protein but rich in sugars, mainly fructose and glucose, with 100 g giving an average of 314 kcal. The same review reports 8.0 g of dietary fibre per 100 g, and lists potassium among the major minerals. That sugar content is why a few dates go a long way.
When food isn't the answer
If erection problems keep happening, the NHS advice is to see a GP or go to a sexual health clinic, because it might be a sign of a health condition that can be treated. A snack recipe is no substitute for that check-up.
For more reading on this site, the Iranian dates category has articles on the types of Iranian dates and on finding an exporter, wholesale dates collects the posts on buying in bulk, and other food articles sit in the healthy foods category.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a doctor about any health concern.
References
- West E, Krychman M. Natural aphrodisiacs: a review of selected sexual enhancers. Sex Med Rev. 2015;3(4):279-288. doi:10.1002/smrj.62. PubMed 27784600
- Al-Farsi MA, Lee CY. Nutritional and functional properties of dates: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2008;48(10):877-887. doi:10.1080/10408390701724264. PubMed 18949591
- NHS. Erection problems (erectile dysfunction). nhs.uk