STRAWBERRIES

STRAWBERRIES and raspberries are the quintessential summer fruits - but new research has discovered that they are also bursting with sex appeal.

The high zinc content is believed to be responsible for their role in boosting sexual prowess and performance. But one of Wales' leading fruit growers said it was blueberries, and not strawberries and raspberries, which are regarded as nature's Viagra.

And Charles George, who runs The Fruit Garden in Peterson-super-Ely, said most people are attracted to strawberries and raspberries not because of their beneficial health properties but because of their taste.

Mr Holford, the founder of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, said strawberries and raspberries have high levels of zinc in their seeds which, unlike many other fruits, are eaten and not removed.

Zinc, he said, is the nutrient most associated with sex, not least because it governs testosterone which is needed for sperm production.

A man can deplete his body's entire zinc supply if he has sex three times in 24 hours, according to Mr Holford, whose London-based charity was established in 1984 to study and research nutrition.

Mr Holford said, "My message is simple - every time you have sex, or simply want to ready yourself or your partner for sex, you should consume a handful of raspberries or strawberries.

"And it's not just the zinc content of the berries which is beneficial in the bed-room.

"They are incredibly high in antioxidants which helps to optimise blood flow to the sex organs, and they have the lowest glycaemic load of any fruit meaning they provide sustained energy levels at only a few calories."