Before we begin to dissect the tastes of a body — as well as the scents, and the stereotypes that come along with a vagina — we need to remember that all bodies taste differently. The uniqueness of a body’s response to material, intercourse, and just every day PH levels can alter taste and smell.

Vaginas, according to 13 men who talked to Thought Catalog, taste like “a mixture of sand and salt and seaweed,” and “coffee grounds and orange peels fermenting in a soggy paper bag.” One guy simply said, “skin but with a little bit of sweat.” The point is, is that everyone’s body gives off a different odor and taste. Furthermore, people taste differently as well (which explains the paper bag dude…).

This is not to say that  a vagina tastes or smells terrible. This isn’t an article about pussy-shaming. Pieces like, “How to Make Your Vagina Smell & Taste Delicious” are revolting. Your vagina’s value doesn’t depend on the approval of your partner, especially when it’s a natural part of your being.

But as we know, special diets can enhance the bitterness in semen — so, does the same apply to a vagina?

Sexologist Timaree Schmit told Mic that, yes, what we eat and drink can greatly influence seminal and vaginal fluids. “There’s never been a full-fledged experiment performed and reported in an academic journal, but there is a substantial [amount] of anecdotal evidence about the way that a variety of foods, drinks and activities affect the taste of cum,” she said.

Here’s what we found in our fruity research of all things food and vagina related. These aren’t just foods that you should eat to help boost your scent and taste, but will also encourage a healthy and happy vagina.

Water

Hydration is key to literally everything in our body. To keep your vagina happy and lubricated, H2O is the best source. Drinking several glasses throughout the day can help keep your vaginal discharge thin, which means that any odor is dispersed. Water also flushes out toxins, like the coffee and cigarettes you may have had over breakfast. Hydration and detoxing keeps your vagina happy, healthy, and tasty.

Spinach

Rich in magnesium, Spinach decreases inflammation and increases blood flow. Tammy Nelson, Ph.D psychotherapist and sex expert explains that, “Increased blood flow drives blood to the extremities, which, like Viagra, can increase arousal and make sex more pleasurable.” Dark leafy greens also improve vaginal dryness. Remember, the darker the green, the better.

Pineapples

We aren’t saying that you can’t taste incredible without pineapple or any citrus fruits, we are just saying that it alters the taste. Natural is beautiful, of course, but fresh fruit in general has a variety of vitamins and minerals which your body will benefit from.

Not only do citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and pineapples all contain high levels of Vitamin C, the University of East Anglia found “a link between the flavanoids found in citrus fruits and a decreased risk of ovarian cancer.”

Coconut Oil

It doesn’t seem like the coconut craze is going to end any time soon, so you may as well jump on the bandwagon because when added to your sex life, coconut oil can be amazing. Using the oil as a lubricant and moisturizer can really benefit your sex life and enhance your pleasure senses. Obviously, the taste is another added bonus when using it on your skin.

Moreover, coconut oil is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial which means no yeast infections.

Just remember that when using coconut oil as a topical lubricant, the oil can break down condoms and dental damns.

Sweet Potatoes

As if we needed another reason to inhale sweet potatoes. The vagina loves a good sweet potato since they are rich in Vitamin A, which is beneficial for skin. The American Nutrition Association says that Vitamin A is a natural viagra and can regulate sex hormones. Sweet potatoes have a positive effect on your vaginal and uterine walls as well, promoting a healthy vagina all around. So, dig in for the second helping with your vagina in my mind!

It’s true, to an extent, that you are what you eat. Of course, in excess, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and processed foods are going to make your bodily fluids, and your entire body, pretty unhappy. At the end of the day, a vagina isn’t going to taste like chocolate ice cream. It’s going to taste like a vagina and that’s seriously just as yummy.

IMAGE COURTESY OF GETTYIMAGES

By S. Nicole Lane on March 20, 2017
Nicole is a women's health journalist living in Chicago. Her sex and art column, "Intimate Justice" can be found on Sixty Inches from Center. She also contributes to The Establishment, HelloGiggles, GO Magazine, and elsewhere. In addition to writing she is an artist who works with assemblage and sculpture. She tweets at @snicolelane.