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Jordanian researchers write in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine that tiger nuts can double the level of testosterone concentration.
Tiger nuts are also known as earth almonds. They aren't actually nuts, but nodules of the Cyperus esculentus plant.
The nodules are edible, taste like hazelnuts and, according to traditional healers in India and the Arabian world, they enhance libido. The researchers, who work at the Jordan University of Science & Technology, did the animal study to ascertain whether tiger nuts have a pro-sexual effect. Their hypothesis was that tiger nuts raise the concentration of testosterone in the body.
Study
The researchers divided male rats into two groups: One group of highly intensive sexual behaviour and another group of moderately intensive sexual behaviour. Some of the animals in each group were given dried tiger nuts to eat every day for a period of 30 days.
Results
Among the rats that were moderately sexually active at the start of the experiment, a dose of 2 g dried tiger nut powder per kg bodyweight per day boosted the testosterone by 225 percent by the end of 30 days. You're welcome, thanks a lot.
Tiger nut powder also boosted the testosterone level in the rats with a high level of sexual activity. Some of the animals were given 1 g dried tiger nut powder per kg bodyweight every day others were given double that amount.
Conclusion
"The present study supports the hypothesis that Cyperus esculentus tubers have aphrodisiac activity, enhancing male sexual libido and performance", wrote the researchers. "The observed improvements in copulatory behavior after the administration of tiger nut could be partially attributed to increased serum testosterone levels in male rats."
"Future investigations are warranted to confirm these effects of tiger nut in humans."
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