The history of the avocado as an aphrodisiac begins with the Nahua people of Mexico.
Commonly and incorrectly known as the Aztecs, the Nahuas were the people occupying current day Mexico City at the time of the Spanish conquest.
Ahuacatl is the name for the avocado in the Nahuatl language.
The Spaniards had a hard time pronouncing the "tl" combination and the word was changed to aguacate.
Later, avocado became the English version of the word.
Ahuacatl is Nahuatl for "testicle.
" The word is a natural description for the avocado.
Look at the avocado tree and not only will you notice that the fruit has a characteristic shape, but that the fruit also grows in pairs.
Foods are often thought of as aphrodisiacs, because their natural shape mimics the human anatomy.
The avocado is no exception.
The avocado is often served with a fish and seafood dish known as ceviche.
On its own, ceviche is believed to be a potent aphrodisiac.
Combined with avocado, and well, you get the idea.
The qualities of the avocado as an aphrodisiac have not been scientifically proven.
However, we do know that the fruit is packed with nutrition.
Avocados contain the "good" fats that help to lower cholesterol.
They contain iron and potassium, along with healthy doses of vitamin E and C.
Perhaps, the aphrodisiac quality has more to do with the health benefits of eating them.
After all, nutrition and lifestyle can influence sexual performance.
Next time you dip into the guacamole; do not be afraid to indulge.