The idea that certain foods can influence your mood has been around for thousands of years. Whether it's fact or folklore, we've been told that food can do anything from improve your memory to increase your sex drive. But just how true is this?

Food of love

Many foods have a reputation for stirring lust. Almonds, caviar, truffles, grapes, strawberries and even asparagus have all been promoted as libido boosters. The belief that a food is an aphrodisiac - a word derived from goddess of love and sexuality, Aphrodite - harks back to Ancient Greece. According to mythology, Aphrodite was born of the sea, which may be why some seafoods, especially oysters, are regarded as aphrodisiacs.

No food has actually been scientifically proven to boost sex drive. The reputation of the oyster is thanks to legendary lover Casanova, who feasted on several dozen a day. They may be rich in zinc, which is vital for testosterone production (the main sex-drive hormone), but the recommended daily intake can come just as easily from a balanced diet. As for putting you in the mood for love, it may simply come down to perception.

Brain bites

Do you want to perform better in study or at work? Grill that salmon fillet now! Fish contains a nutrient called DMAE, which, according to The Natural Health Bible, has been shown to enhance a person's memory function, concentration, energy and mood. In various studies, people who were given DMAE reported feeling more awake during the day, as well as sleeping more soundly at night, often leading to them needing less sleep. Doctors and psychiatrists also found that concentration and levels of insight increased considerably.

A block of happiness

Chocolate is the number-one food craved by women - and with good reason. The chemicals it contains (serotonin and phenylethylamine) affect dopamine levels in our brain, creating feelings of calm, pleasure and happiness. Chocolate also contains theobromine and caffeine, which can increase alertness, and antioxidants, which help boost the immune system. Taking into account its fat and sugar content, the secret is to enjoy it in moderation.

Anger on your plate?

Some vegetarian authorities promote the idea that, when an animal is killed, the suffering it goes through permeates its meat, affecting the person who consumes it by putting them in an aggressive mood. This has not been scientifically proven. In fact, a tendency for unexplained anger may be a symptom of low vitamin B12 levels, which can be common in vegetarians.

No foods have really been proven to cause anger. In fact, aggravation seems more likely to come from a lack of certain foods. Iron deficiency in adults can lead to a lack of concentration, which can, in turn, affect memory, mood levels and energy. Other symptoms of iron deficiency are irritability and fatigue. As a result, eating iron-rich meat a few times a week may in fact be a great way to keep you in good spirits.

What about dieting?

Some suggest that dieting can put you in a bad mood - this is both true and false, because it depends on the type of diet you're following. A kilojoule-restricted diet can cause hunger pangs, which are quite likely to make you irritable. On a low-carbohydrate diet, mood changes can strike about two weeks in, when your body starts to yearn for the energy and serotonin contained in foods like bread and pasta. But not all diets work against you. If you're on a low GI eating plan, you may find that you're in a better mood all day, due to its stabilising effect on your blood glucose levels. You'll also be losing weight by eating sensibly and learning how to keep it off - a sure way to bring a smile to your face!

Sexy supplements to boost your libido

Damiana

Hailing from South and Central America, it's been suggested that this herb will improve sex for both men and women by stimulating nerves and the genitals and increasing blood circulation.

Brazilian ginseng

Found in the Amazon basin, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador, this plant holds most of its therapeutic properties in its roots. It may help to improve much more than just your sex drive - in Brazil it's known as para toda, which means "for everything".

Muira puama

Native to the Amazon rainforest, this tree has is championed as being able to improve sexual function and help treat male impotence. As with all alleged libido boosters, its effects are debatable, although one study found it to restore sex drive and erectile problems in about 50 per cent of cases.