New Drink Claims To Boost Sex Drive
Experts Warn Consumers About Herbal Additives
POSTED: Tuesday, February 21, 2006
UPDATED: 9:34 am CST February 21,
2006
BOSTON -- Whether you're married or dating, if love isn't exactly in the air for you, a new drink on the market claims it can get your mojo flowing again.
The makers of Turn On claim that their product boosts sexual desire, reported WCVB-TV on Monday.
"I don't see anything in here that would cause sexual arousal or desire," sex therapist Judith Silverstein said.
Turn On's Web site has testimonials from satisfied consumers.
"Sex sells, and those are great marketing, great advertising. There's no regulation of things like drinks by the FDA, so they can claim anything they want to," Silverstein said.
Turn On is loaded with vitamins and herbs such as ginseng, gingko biloba and what the makers call the key to its powers -- schizandra, a small red fruit from China that is touted as an aphrodisiac.
"The only thing I could see in here that would stimulate sexual functioning is caffeine because it improves the circulation a tiny bit. It's a vasodilator," Silverstein said.
Boston University Medical Center's Dr. Caroline Apovian said that there could be some risks.
"Drink this soda at your own risk," Apovian said. "Beware of nutritional supplements. Really read the label and then do your own research, and you'll find that many of these herbal substances really haven't been studied very well."
Experts said that the primary sex organ is the brain. So if consumers believe Turn On really boosts sex drive, it's not from what's in the can -- but from what's inside their heads.
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