Honeymooners test sweet sex brew
by Sparrow, Jeffrey C. [IT/1825]
Who am I to doubt the beneficial effects of mead? ~jcs
LONDON, England (CNN) -- A group of scientists has been inundated with
requests after calling for newlyweds to test the legendary aphrodisiac
effects of an ancient honey-based drink.
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) wants one couple to drink honey mead --
a fermented mixture of honey and water -- every night for 30 days after
taking their vows in June and to keep a diary of their honeymoon
relationship.
The UK's professional body for chemists has received more than 100 phone
calls from couples who want to take part in the experiment following a media
appeal. The results will be published later in the year.
"The response has been overwhelming. We want one couple to write a diary to
tell us how they feel generally during the honeymoon to see the effect it
has on love," Brian Emsley, a spokesman for the RSC told CNN on Friday.
Mead, first brewed in Babylon more than 4,000 years ago making it one of the
world's oldest alcoholic drinks, has long been believed to increase
fertility and sex drive.
In ancient Persia couples were expected to imbibe the sweet mead every day
for one "honey month" -- hence honeymoon -- after they tied the knot to
achieve the right frame of mind for a successful marriage. If a son was
born nine months later the mead maker was congratulated on the quality of
its produce.
Twelve bottles of mead have been specially brewed for the RSC's test by a
winery in Sussex, southern England. "The concocotion includes a secret
ingredient," said Emsley. "We've followed the ancient recipe closely. "I
had some the other day and had to rush home," he joked.
Honey is blended with wine fruits and spices to create the mead drink. The
drink -- a blend of honey, wine, fruits and spices -- is believed to reduce
sexual anxieties including fears of inadequate performance.
It is also rich in B vitamins that help to maintain reproductive health,
amino acids that are the building blocks of protein for increased fertility
and nitric oxide that is good for male sexual health.
The aphrodisiac properties attributed to mead may therefore be well
deserved, said Dr. Clare Mcloughlin of the RSC. "Legend and myth has a
scientific basis." But while mead may help couples get that loving feeling,
the newlyweds would be best advised to drink in moderation, as one sex
therapist pointed out.
"One of the biggest causes of problems is stress from outside the
relationship. The healthier we are, the happier we are. Anything that helps
is great, however, alcohol is also linked with problems in the
relationships," said Paula Hall, from the UK-based relationship counselling
service Relate.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/05/30/britain.mead/index.html
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