By M H Ahssan
FOOD FELONY#1 Going non-stick
You could come unstuck if you use non-stick. "Heating nonstick pans releases harmful particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)," says New Delhi based nutritionist Dr Sonia Kakar. These fumes can cause 'polymer fume fever,' a little known severe flu-like condition.
Break free: Use stainless steel. Tests showed Teflon takes five minutes to reach 360°C, at which PTFE is released. So cook on medium heat, with a window open. The risk is low in routine cooking, but that doesn't mean you can't lower it further. "Poaching or using spray oil is an effective method, since there is another medium that's absorbing the heat of the flame," says Dr Kakar.
FOOD FELONY#2 Boiling vegetables
To guarantee your vit-hit, prepare with care. "Vitamin C is a very labile vitamin. It is sensitive to light and heat. So it is not a good idea to cut fruits and salads hours before consumption," says Dr Niti Desai, consultant dietician, Cumballa Hill Hospital. Studies by Warwick University found boiling broccoli for 10 minutes reduced its immunity-boosting glucosinolates by 80 per cent.
Break free: Boiling is for potatoes only. Ideally steam other vegetables, ensuring the water's piping hot to minimise cooking time. "Our way of cooking veggies is that we usually overcook-with resultant loss of vitamins," adds Dr Desai. The Warwick study found reducing broccoli cooking time to just five minutes meant only a 10 per cent loss of glucosinolates. Remember that crunchy veggies are nutrient-dense and that outer skins harbour vitamins. Stir frying locks nutrients in as it uses intense heat for less time.
FOOD FELONY#3 Soaring temperatures
Studies in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found cooking meat and cheese on high heat ups the amount of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in your meal. "It's time we paid attention to these toxins," says Dr Helen Vlassara, the Mt Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "They accumulate in the body, leading to inflammation which, over time, causes organ damage and disease." AGEs, in fact, have been linked to diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis and heart disease.
Break free: AGEs occur when sugar, protein and fat are exposed to high heat without water. Cook at lower temperatures, and stew or poach rather than dry-fry. A steamed meal has one fifth the AGEs of a fried one. And marinating meat in acidic liquids such as vinegar, lemon juice or tomato sauce also cuts AGEs.
FOOD FELONY#4 Nuking garlic
It may keep vampires away but if you manhandle garlic, you'll zap its anti-cancer properties. Penn State University research discovered that heating garlic for just one minute after crushing destroyed its only proven anti-cancer compound, allyl sulphur. Heating right after crushing deactivates the enzyme and blocks the anticancer effects.
Break free: Leave crushed bulbs to stand for 15 minutes before cooking to give the allyl sulphur time to stabilise. Another effective method is to leave it in water for 10 minutes before cooking. This also helps the allyl sulphur stabilise so it won't leach out. Better still, roast the clove whole to protect the enzyme. "You could also crush the garlic raw in salad or buttermilk or have a chilli-garlic chutney," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#5 Playing with plastic
Storing fatty foods like meat, dairy or last night's korma in plastic containers means dodgy chemicals can leak into them. "It's a myth that plastics don't break down," says Dr Kakar. "Plastic is dicey. Chemicals can get into food from plastic whether it's heated or not." Re-heating is a double offence. Microwave heating means more chemicals escape.
Break free: "Use heat-resistant glass, ceramics and steel whenever possible for cooking and storage. Too much of plastic should not be used to thaw or heat food," says Dr Kakar. It's better not to use plastic dishware in the microwave or place hot food in it. Plastics are good to freeze food, but then heat it in glass containers. And what of cling film? Well, reduce contamination risk by ensuring it doesn't touch the food.
FOOD FELONY#6 Overcooking overload
University of California research found raw food is easier to digest, and overcooked food can trigger an immune response. "The higher the temperature food is cooked at, the harder it is to absorb and the longer it stays in your gut," says Dr Desai.
Break free: The more food you eat raw, the better. Steam, boil or chew rather than baking or roasting, and cut down on overprocessed foods, which your body has a hard time digesting. "Tandoori or barbequed food is a no-no," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#7 Being heavy with metal
Baking or wrapping acidic food in aluminium foil can be risky-the metal can leach into food, but heating certainly speeds the process. Scientists from Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey found baking meat in foil increases its aluminium content by 378 per cent. And the more acidic the food, the more it corrodes aluminium. "Acidic foods have lower pH. This means they have a tendency to react with the metal," says Dr Kakar. Tomatoes are particularly prone to dissolving aluminium. As for that open can-once it is opened, the tin starts to corrode. And though no long-term health problems have been linked with consuming tin, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wind, abdominal cramps and bloating.
Break free: "Don't cook soft fruit, tomatoes or cabbage in aluminium pans," warns Dr Kakar. Also try not to bake your meat in aluminium foil.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Kitchen crimes
By M H Ahssan
FOOD FELONY#1 Going non-stick
You could come unstuck if you use non-stick. "Heating nonstick pans releases harmful particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)," says New Delhi based nutritionist Dr Sonia Kakar. These fumes can cause 'polymer fume fever,' a little known severe flu-like condition.
Break free: Use stainless steel. Tests showed Teflon takes five minutes to reach 360°C, at which PTFE is released. So cook on medium heat, with a window open. The risk is low in routine cooking, but that doesn't mean you can't lower it further. "Poaching or using spray oil is an effective method, since there is another medium that's absorbing the heat of the flame," says Dr Kakar.
FOOD FELONY#2 Boiling vegetables
To guarantee your vit-hit, prepare with care. "Vitamin C is a very labile vitamin. It is sensitive to light and heat. So it is not a good idea to cut fruits and salads hours before consumption," says Dr Niti Desai, consultant dietician, Cumballa Hill Hospital. Studies by Warwick University found boiling broccoli for 10 minutes reduced its immunity-boosting glucosinolates by 80 per cent.
Break free: Boiling is for potatoes only. Ideally steam other vegetables, ensuring the water's piping hot to minimise cooking time. "Our way of cooking veggies is that we usually overcook-with resultant loss of vitamins," adds Dr Desai. The Warwick study found reducing broccoli cooking time to just five minutes meant only a 10 per cent loss of glucosinolates. Remember that crunchy veggies are nutrient-dense and that outer skins harbour vitamins. Stir frying locks nutrients in as it uses intense heat for less time.
FOOD FELONY#3 Soaring temperatures
Studies in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found cooking meat and cheese on high heat ups the amount of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in your meal. "It's time we paid attention to these toxins," says Dr Helen Vlassara, the Mt Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "They accumulate in the body, leading to inflammation which, over time, causes organ damage and disease." AGEs, in fact, have been linked to diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis and heart disease.
Break free: AGEs occur when sugar, protein and fat are exposed to high heat without water. Cook at lower temperatures, and stew or poach rather than dry-fry. A steamed meal has one fifth the AGEs of a fried one. And marinating meat in acidic liquids such as vinegar, lemon juice or tomato sauce also cuts AGEs.
FOOD FELONY#4 Nuking garlic
It may keep vampires away but if you manhandle garlic, you'll zap its anti-cancer properties. Penn State University research discovered that heating garlic for just one minute after crushing destroyed its only proven anti-cancer compound, allyl sulphur. Heating right after crushing deactivates the enzyme and blocks the anticancer effects.
Break free: Leave crushed bulbs to stand for 15 minutes before cooking to give the allyl sulphur time to stabilise. Another effective method is to leave it in water for 10 minutes before cooking. This also helps the allyl sulphur stabilise so it won't leach out. Better still, roast the clove whole to protect the enzyme. "You could also crush the garlic raw in salad or buttermilk or have a chilli-garlic chutney," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#5 Playing with plastic
Storing fatty foods like meat, dairy or last night's korma in plastic containers means dodgy chemicals can leak into them. "It's a myth that plastics don't break down," says Dr Kakar. "Plastic is dicey. Chemicals can get into food from plastic whether it's heated or not." Re-heating is a double offence. Microwave heating means more chemicals escape.
Break free: "Use heat-resistant glass, ceramics and steel whenever possible for cooking and storage. Too much of plastic should not be used to thaw or heat food," says Dr Kakar. It's better not to use plastic dishware in the microwave or place hot food in it. Plastics are good to freeze food, but then heat it in glass containers. And what of cling film? Well, reduce contamination risk by ensuring it doesn't touch the food.
FOOD FELONY#6 Overcooking overload
University of California research found raw food is easier to digest, and overcooked food can trigger an immune response. "The higher the temperature food is cooked at, the harder it is to absorb and the longer it stays in your gut," says Dr Desai.
Break free: The more food you eat raw, the better. Steam, boil or chew rather than baking or roasting, and cut down on overprocessed foods, which your body has a hard time digesting. "Tandoori or barbequed food is a no-no," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#7 Being heavy with metal
Baking or wrapping acidic food in aluminium foil can be risky-the metal can leach into food, but heating certainly speeds the process. Scientists from Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey found baking meat in foil increases its aluminium content by 378 per cent. And the more acidic the food, the more it corrodes aluminium. "Acidic foods have lower pH. This means they have a tendency to react with the metal," says Dr Kakar. Tomatoes are particularly prone to dissolving aluminium. As for that open can-once it is opened, the tin starts to corrode. And though no long-term health problems have been linked with consuming tin, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wind, abdominal cramps and bloating.
Break free: "Don't cook soft fruit, tomatoes or cabbage in aluminium pans," warns Dr Kakar. Also try not to bake your meat in aluminium foil.
FOOD FELONY#1 Going non-stick
You could come unstuck if you use non-stick. "Heating nonstick pans releases harmful particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)," says New Delhi based nutritionist Dr Sonia Kakar. These fumes can cause 'polymer fume fever,' a little known severe flu-like condition.
Break free: Use stainless steel. Tests showed Teflon takes five minutes to reach 360°C, at which PTFE is released. So cook on medium heat, with a window open. The risk is low in routine cooking, but that doesn't mean you can't lower it further. "Poaching or using spray oil is an effective method, since there is another medium that's absorbing the heat of the flame," says Dr Kakar.
FOOD FELONY#2 Boiling vegetables
To guarantee your vit-hit, prepare with care. "Vitamin C is a very labile vitamin. It is sensitive to light and heat. So it is not a good idea to cut fruits and salads hours before consumption," says Dr Niti Desai, consultant dietician, Cumballa Hill Hospital. Studies by Warwick University found boiling broccoli for 10 minutes reduced its immunity-boosting glucosinolates by 80 per cent.
Break free: Boiling is for potatoes only. Ideally steam other vegetables, ensuring the water's piping hot to minimise cooking time. "Our way of cooking veggies is that we usually overcook-with resultant loss of vitamins," adds Dr Desai. The Warwick study found reducing broccoli cooking time to just five minutes meant only a 10 per cent loss of glucosinolates. Remember that crunchy veggies are nutrient-dense and that outer skins harbour vitamins. Stir frying locks nutrients in as it uses intense heat for less time.
FOOD FELONY#3 Soaring temperatures
Studies in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found cooking meat and cheese on high heat ups the amount of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in your meal. "It's time we paid attention to these toxins," says Dr Helen Vlassara, the Mt Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "They accumulate in the body, leading to inflammation which, over time, causes organ damage and disease." AGEs, in fact, have been linked to diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis and heart disease.
Break free: AGEs occur when sugar, protein and fat are exposed to high heat without water. Cook at lower temperatures, and stew or poach rather than dry-fry. A steamed meal has one fifth the AGEs of a fried one. And marinating meat in acidic liquids such as vinegar, lemon juice or tomato sauce also cuts AGEs.
FOOD FELONY#4 Nuking garlic
It may keep vampires away but if you manhandle garlic, you'll zap its anti-cancer properties. Penn State University research discovered that heating garlic for just one minute after crushing destroyed its only proven anti-cancer compound, allyl sulphur. Heating right after crushing deactivates the enzyme and blocks the anticancer effects.
Break free: Leave crushed bulbs to stand for 15 minutes before cooking to give the allyl sulphur time to stabilise. Another effective method is to leave it in water for 10 minutes before cooking. This also helps the allyl sulphur stabilise so it won't leach out. Better still, roast the clove whole to protect the enzyme. "You could also crush the garlic raw in salad or buttermilk or have a chilli-garlic chutney," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#5 Playing with plastic
Storing fatty foods like meat, dairy or last night's korma in plastic containers means dodgy chemicals can leak into them. "It's a myth that plastics don't break down," says Dr Kakar. "Plastic is dicey. Chemicals can get into food from plastic whether it's heated or not." Re-heating is a double offence. Microwave heating means more chemicals escape.
Break free: "Use heat-resistant glass, ceramics and steel whenever possible for cooking and storage. Too much of plastic should not be used to thaw or heat food," says Dr Kakar. It's better not to use plastic dishware in the microwave or place hot food in it. Plastics are good to freeze food, but then heat it in glass containers. And what of cling film? Well, reduce contamination risk by ensuring it doesn't touch the food.
FOOD FELONY#6 Overcooking overload
University of California research found raw food is easier to digest, and overcooked food can trigger an immune response. "The higher the temperature food is cooked at, the harder it is to absorb and the longer it stays in your gut," says Dr Desai.
Break free: The more food you eat raw, the better. Steam, boil or chew rather than baking or roasting, and cut down on overprocessed foods, which your body has a hard time digesting. "Tandoori or barbequed food is a no-no," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#7 Being heavy with metal
Baking or wrapping acidic food in aluminium foil can be risky-the metal can leach into food, but heating certainly speeds the process. Scientists from Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey found baking meat in foil increases its aluminium content by 378 per cent. And the more acidic the food, the more it corrodes aluminium. "Acidic foods have lower pH. This means they have a tendency to react with the metal," says Dr Kakar. Tomatoes are particularly prone to dissolving aluminium. As for that open can-once it is opened, the tin starts to corrode. And though no long-term health problems have been linked with consuming tin, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wind, abdominal cramps and bloating.
Break free: "Don't cook soft fruit, tomatoes or cabbage in aluminium pans," warns Dr Kakar. Also try not to bake your meat in aluminium foil.
Kitchen crimes
By M H Ahssan
FOOD FELONY#1 Going non-stick
You could come unstuck if you use non-stick. "Heating nonstick pans releases harmful particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)," says New Delhi based nutritionist Dr Sonia Kakar. These fumes can cause 'polymer fume fever,' a little known severe flu-like condition.
Break free: Use stainless steel. Tests showed Teflon takes five minutes to reach 360°C, at which PTFE is released. So cook on medium heat, with a window open. The risk is low in routine cooking, but that doesn't mean you can't lower it further. "Poaching or using spray oil is an effective method, since there is another medium that's absorbing the heat of the flame," says Dr Kakar.
FOOD FELONY#2 Boiling vegetables
To guarantee your vit-hit, prepare with care. "Vitamin C is a very labile vitamin. It is sensitive to light and heat. So it is not a good idea to cut fruits and salads hours before consumption," says Dr Niti Desai, consultant dietician, Cumballa Hill Hospital. Studies by Warwick University found boiling broccoli for 10 minutes reduced its immunity-boosting glucosinolates by 80 per cent.
Break free: Boiling is for potatoes only. Ideally steam other vegetables, ensuring the water's piping hot to minimise cooking time. "Our way of cooking veggies is that we usually overcook-with resultant loss of vitamins," adds Dr Desai. The Warwick study found reducing broccoli cooking time to just five minutes meant only a 10 per cent loss of glucosinolates. Remember that crunchy veggies are nutrient-dense and that outer skins harbour vitamins. Stir frying locks nutrients in as it uses intense heat for less time.
FOOD FELONY#3 Soaring temperatures
Studies in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found cooking meat and cheese on high heat ups the amount of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in your meal. "It's time we paid attention to these toxins," says Dr Helen Vlassara, the Mt Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "They accumulate in the body, leading to inflammation which, over time, causes organ damage and disease." AGEs, in fact, have been linked to diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis and heart disease.
Break free: AGEs occur when sugar, protein and fat are exposed to high heat without water. Cook at lower temperatures, and stew or poach rather than dry-fry. A steamed meal has one fifth the AGEs of a fried one. And marinating meat in acidic liquids such as vinegar, lemon juice or tomato sauce also cuts AGEs.
FOOD FELONY#4 Nuking garlic
It may keep vampires away but if you manhandle garlic, you'll zap its anti-cancer properties. Penn State University research discovered that heating garlic for just one minute after crushing destroyed its only proven anti-cancer compound, allyl sulphur. Heating right after crushing deactivates the enzyme and blocks the anticancer effects.
Break free: Leave crushed bulbs to stand for 15 minutes before cooking to give the allyl sulphur time to stabilise. Another effective method is to leave it in water for 10 minutes before cooking. This also helps the allyl sulphur stabilise so it won't leach out. Better still, roast the clove whole to protect the enzyme. "You could also crush the garlic raw in salad or buttermilk or have a chilli-garlic chutney," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#5 Playing with plastic
Storing fatty foods like meat, dairy or last night's korma in plastic containers means dodgy chemicals can leak into them. "It's a myth that plastics don't break down," says Dr Kakar. "Plastic is dicey. Chemicals can get into food from plastic whether it's heated or not." Re-heating is a double offence. Microwave heating means more chemicals escape.
Break free: "Use heat-resistant glass, ceramics and steel whenever possible for cooking and storage. Too much of plastic should not be used to thaw or heat food," says Dr Kakar. It's better not to use plastic dishware in the microwave or place hot food in it. Plastics are good to freeze food, but then heat it in glass containers. And what of cling film? Well, reduce contamination risk by ensuring it doesn't touch the food.
FOOD FELONY#6 Overcooking overload
University of California research found raw food is easier to digest, and overcooked food can trigger an immune response. "The higher the temperature food is cooked at, the harder it is to absorb and the longer it stays in your gut," says Dr Desai.
Break free: The more food you eat raw, the better. Steam, boil or chew rather than baking or roasting, and cut down on overprocessed foods, which your body has a hard time digesting. "Tandoori or barbequed food is a no-no," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#7 Being heavy with metal
Baking or wrapping acidic food in aluminium foil can be risky-the metal can leach into food, but heating certainly speeds the process. Scientists from Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey found baking meat in foil increases its aluminium content by 378 per cent. And the more acidic the food, the more it corrodes aluminium. "Acidic foods have lower pH. This means they have a tendency to react with the metal," says Dr Kakar. Tomatoes are particularly prone to dissolving aluminium. As for that open can-once it is opened, the tin starts to corrode. And though no long-term health problems have been linked with consuming tin, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wind, abdominal cramps and bloating.
Break free: "Don't cook soft fruit, tomatoes or cabbage in aluminium pans," warns Dr Kakar. Also try not to bake your meat in aluminium foil.
FOOD FELONY#1 Going non-stick
You could come unstuck if you use non-stick. "Heating nonstick pans releases harmful particles of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)," says New Delhi based nutritionist Dr Sonia Kakar. These fumes can cause 'polymer fume fever,' a little known severe flu-like condition.
Break free: Use stainless steel. Tests showed Teflon takes five minutes to reach 360°C, at which PTFE is released. So cook on medium heat, with a window open. The risk is low in routine cooking, but that doesn't mean you can't lower it further. "Poaching or using spray oil is an effective method, since there is another medium that's absorbing the heat of the flame," says Dr Kakar.
FOOD FELONY#2 Boiling vegetables
To guarantee your vit-hit, prepare with care. "Vitamin C is a very labile vitamin. It is sensitive to light and heat. So it is not a good idea to cut fruits and salads hours before consumption," says Dr Niti Desai, consultant dietician, Cumballa Hill Hospital. Studies by Warwick University found boiling broccoli for 10 minutes reduced its immunity-boosting glucosinolates by 80 per cent.
Break free: Boiling is for potatoes only. Ideally steam other vegetables, ensuring the water's piping hot to minimise cooking time. "Our way of cooking veggies is that we usually overcook-with resultant loss of vitamins," adds Dr Desai. The Warwick study found reducing broccoli cooking time to just five minutes meant only a 10 per cent loss of glucosinolates. Remember that crunchy veggies are nutrient-dense and that outer skins harbour vitamins. Stir frying locks nutrients in as it uses intense heat for less time.
FOOD FELONY#3 Soaring temperatures
Studies in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found cooking meat and cheese on high heat ups the amount of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in your meal. "It's time we paid attention to these toxins," says Dr Helen Vlassara, the Mt Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "They accumulate in the body, leading to inflammation which, over time, causes organ damage and disease." AGEs, in fact, have been linked to diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis and heart disease.
Break free: AGEs occur when sugar, protein and fat are exposed to high heat without water. Cook at lower temperatures, and stew or poach rather than dry-fry. A steamed meal has one fifth the AGEs of a fried one. And marinating meat in acidic liquids such as vinegar, lemon juice or tomato sauce also cuts AGEs.
FOOD FELONY#4 Nuking garlic
It may keep vampires away but if you manhandle garlic, you'll zap its anti-cancer properties. Penn State University research discovered that heating garlic for just one minute after crushing destroyed its only proven anti-cancer compound, allyl sulphur. Heating right after crushing deactivates the enzyme and blocks the anticancer effects.
Break free: Leave crushed bulbs to stand for 15 minutes before cooking to give the allyl sulphur time to stabilise. Another effective method is to leave it in water for 10 minutes before cooking. This also helps the allyl sulphur stabilise so it won't leach out. Better still, roast the clove whole to protect the enzyme. "You could also crush the garlic raw in salad or buttermilk or have a chilli-garlic chutney," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#5 Playing with plastic
Storing fatty foods like meat, dairy or last night's korma in plastic containers means dodgy chemicals can leak into them. "It's a myth that plastics don't break down," says Dr Kakar. "Plastic is dicey. Chemicals can get into food from plastic whether it's heated or not." Re-heating is a double offence. Microwave heating means more chemicals escape.
Break free: "Use heat-resistant glass, ceramics and steel whenever possible for cooking and storage. Too much of plastic should not be used to thaw or heat food," says Dr Kakar. It's better not to use plastic dishware in the microwave or place hot food in it. Plastics are good to freeze food, but then heat it in glass containers. And what of cling film? Well, reduce contamination risk by ensuring it doesn't touch the food.
FOOD FELONY#6 Overcooking overload
University of California research found raw food is easier to digest, and overcooked food can trigger an immune response. "The higher the temperature food is cooked at, the harder it is to absorb and the longer it stays in your gut," says Dr Desai.
Break free: The more food you eat raw, the better. Steam, boil or chew rather than baking or roasting, and cut down on overprocessed foods, which your body has a hard time digesting. "Tandoori or barbequed food is a no-no," says Dr Desai.
FOOD FELONY#7 Being heavy with metal
Baking or wrapping acidic food in aluminium foil can be risky-the metal can leach into food, but heating certainly speeds the process. Scientists from Ondokuz Mayis University in Turkey found baking meat in foil increases its aluminium content by 378 per cent. And the more acidic the food, the more it corrodes aluminium. "Acidic foods have lower pH. This means they have a tendency to react with the metal," says Dr Kakar. Tomatoes are particularly prone to dissolving aluminium. As for that open can-once it is opened, the tin starts to corrode. And though no long-term health problems have been linked with consuming tin, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wind, abdominal cramps and bloating.
Break free: "Don't cook soft fruit, tomatoes or cabbage in aluminium pans," warns Dr Kakar. Also try not to bake your meat in aluminium foil.
The Anatomy of Ecstasy
By M H Ahssan
Creating an explosive sexual reaction means taking the right elements for you and her. Get it right and you'll prolong your relationship and your life.
The A-spot Anal
Take advantage of her nerves: sensation from both the vagina and the anus go to the brain through the pelvic nerve. "So it's not surprising that when activated non-genitally, it can also generate orgasm," says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Thus rectal stimulation can feel good because her nervous system thinks the pleasure is coming from the vagina. The way to make this work for you both is to gently stimulate both at the same time. But make sure you ask first because a lot of women are squeamish.
The E-spot Eyes
Research in the journal Sexual Rehabilitation of the Spinal-Cord-Injured Patient found that some women can experience orgasm and sexual pleasure from imagery alone, without any form of touching. Use it to your advantage by assuming a face-to-face position, with you on top and her getting a good view of your manly physique enveloping her. Doggy style is out, then. But her imagining it is not.
The B-spot Breasts
Use the science of breasts to speed along her orgasm. Sensory activity from the breasts causes production and secretion of oxytocin, the same hormone as caused by vaginal or clitoral stimulation, says Dr Bhonsle who is also head of department of sexual medicine at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai. This then travels to the area of the brain that monitors the genitals. Use slow, rhythmic stimulation of her nipples and the lower portion of her breasts to increase her responsiveness before you move south.
The M-spot Mouth
"Orgasms can be elicited from any body part," says Dr Bhonsle. "But because of their high nerve density, a woman's lips have been found to have a direct effect on her genital organs." So kiss her at different levels of pressure and rhythm during sex- don't just roll on top of her lips-first as a signal that you're bored with watching TV and angling to get down to it. That's a turn-off.
The K-spot Knees
Experiments conducted by the authors of The Science Of Orgasm discovered an orgasm-like response from the stimulation of a woman's knee. A vibrator applied to this body-part caused an increase in muscle-tension leading toward the top of her legs, which resulted in climax. Exploit the orgasmic potential of running your hands up and down her legs before and during sex, paying particular attention to the area between the very top of her thighs and the crook of her knee.
The G-spot G-spot
After the clitoris, this should be your orgasmic fail-safe. Research in the journal Annals Of Sex Research describes how using fingers to stimulate the front wall inside the vagina with the woman lying on her back enabled 100 per cent of those tested to achieve orgasm. Follow the technique of the examiners and rub the "internal region nearest the clitoris" using a 'come-here' motion (shape like a fish-hook) with one or more fingers.
The C-spot Clitoris
You know where this is, right? In a report published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 94 per cent of women studied had experienced orgasm from direct clitoral simulation. The clitoris was said to be 'the most densely innervated part of the human body' and clitoral orgasms were found to feel acutely localised around the genitals. All those nerve endings mean you need to start slow. "Follow her body's motion so you build up your rhythm as she gets closer to her big moment," says Dr Sudhakar Krishnamurti, andrologist and microsurgeon, director of Andromeda Andrology Center, Hyderabad.
Jumpstart your sex lifeHere's your most definitive guide to win her heart, body and soul...
Compliment her: And keep doing it. It'll make her feel noticed, special and appreciated, and closer to you. "The more connected she feels, the more sexually inspired she'll feel," says Dr Minnu Bhonsle, a psychologist at Heart To Heart Counselling Centre, Mumbai. Compliment what she feels good about and cares about—her hair, shoes, work triumphs—but be genuine. A confident sex partner is an adventurous sex partner.
Use fragrance for foreplay: Spray a touch of the cologne she loves on the sheets. A study by Indiana University found that women who fantasised while smelling a men's cologne were more aroused than when smelling a neutral odour or women's cologne. If you don't have a scent, shop for one with her. That's foreplay for her, too.
Talk in public: In a park with people all around, whisper your fantasies to each other, sparing no detail. You'll create sexual tension, but there's no possibility of sex then and there. "It's just plain sexy to start something that can't be finished right then," says Helen Fisher, PhD, a US-based anthropologist and the author of Why We Love.
Go wild: Add a distinct but manageable touch of danger to the day. It will stimulate dopamine in her brain, which may trigger her sex drive, says Dr Rohit Jaiman, consultant psychiatrist at Fortis, New Delhi. Pick the right trip-a guided white-water excursion, for instance-and learn all about both the risks and the precautions you'll take. She'll see you as the cause of the excitement, as well as the source of security.
Explore new regions: You've heard about her nipples and vagina? Good. Now spend some time on the back of her neck. It's a brave new world of nerve endings, so gentle caressing and kissing helps. The base of her spine is sensation central, as well. Sex becomes about discovery, not seeking some destination. "Goal-oriented sex is not that sexy, so you need to try new erogenous zones," says Mumbai-based sexologist and counsellor Dr Prakash Kothari.
Watch porn with the sound off... So the two of you can provide the dialogue. You'll learn how to talk erotically, so it's very educational. But it's also fun, you're both in vested in it, and it can help reveal fantasies, says Ava Cadell, PhD, a sex therapist and the author of Love around the House.
...or see a chick flick: Maybe porn isn't her thing. But Hrithik, Imran Khan or George Clooney might be, and for her, these guys are porn. She'll be fantasising about a man who's sweet and will treat her well. And when he kisses the female lead, you kiss your lady at the same time. Show her that reality-her life-can be better.
Craft fantasies: One lazy afternoon, get some wine and divide 10 playing cards amongst yourselves. Write down five sexual fantasies while the wine loosens your inhibitions. Then head out to dinner and over more wine, pull out the cards and discuss. You'll feel filthy discussing this stuff in hushed voices in public, which is the point. Make three piles-'Yes', 'Maybe' and 'Never'. Once a month (she feels sexiest before she ovulates), pull a winner. Any necessary planning heightens the anticipation.
Invite her to ditch her underwear during dinner: The naked secret you now share will linger through dessert, says Dr Samir Parikh, chief of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare, New Delhi.
Visit the bookstore: The books on erotica will fuel your imaginations. Make some purchases, then read them to each other. You'll discover new interests that, amazingly, never came up. Then, enact a scene.
Try something new during penetration: Rather than in-and-out, try rotation. It'll make for a different kind of clitoral stimulation, says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Less thrusting will help you last much longer too.
Leave home: Plan a trip without the kids, because Mom and Dad must also be husband and wife. Take lots of pictures; in a few months, go through them slowly, and recall all the great stuff.
Ask for directions: The clitoris has two sides. So ask, "Do you like it on the left or the right?" Either she knows and will appreciate your sensitivity or she doesn't, and now you've given her a new path to happiness. Plus, she'll be more comfortable giving you feedback.
Feed her black licorice: Black licorice has been shown to speed up her genital blood flow by 40 per cent. Or eat one of these sex enhancers yourself.
Sex enhancers to try today
If you need a dose to further stiffen your resolve in the bedroom, here's the lowdown on prominent potency products.
Viagra
The claim: Developed to combat angina, Viagra dilates blood vessels with the effect, among other things, of increasing blood flow to the penis.
The science: According to researchers at Auburn University, Viagra can help treat the unmanly droop caused by everything from depression to diabetes.
Ginkgo Biloba
The claim: The leaves of this tree are said to be an anti-depressant and increasing sexual response.
The science: It relaxes the muscle controlling blood flow to the penis. One study found that it improved libido and orgasm in 76 per cent of cases tested.
Yohimbine
The claim: Bark from this tree has been said to enhance your erection quality.
The science: According to the Archives of Sexual Behavior, a dose of 15-30gm per day can produce 'positive effects'.
Tribulus Terrestris
The claim: This plant extract is reputed to help you grow every (and that!) muscle in your body, by increasing your testosterone production.
The science: The results are dubious. Online drug watchdog supplementwatch. com notes the active ingredient hasn't even been identified. It's been observed to stimulate 'mounting' in animals.
Ginseng
The claim: A stress-reliever, ginseng has been found to perk up more than just your mood.
The science: This increases the flow of erection-facilitating nitric oxide. A study found ginseng had a positive effect on 60 per cent of men suffering the droop.
Arginmax
The claim: This is a herbal supplement pitched at the Viagra buyer that promises 'great sex and good health for men and women'.
The science: A study published in the Hawaii Medical Journal found an 89 per cent increase in ability to maintain erection in men who participated in the study.
Cardamom
The claim: Spices are said to fire up libido. A strong aphrodisiac, it is popular in India and was used by queen Cleopatra to deodorise her rooms.
The science: Cardamom is high in cineole, a central nervous system stimulant. It can increase blood flow in areas where it is applied. It can be mixed with honey.
Chillies
The claim: One of the 'love foods', it has been known to have anti-inflammatory, circulatory and relaxant properties.
The science: These are rich in capsaicin, a chemical that stimulates nerve endings and raises pulse. They also release endorphins that give the body a heady feeling.
Creating an explosive sexual reaction means taking the right elements for you and her. Get it right and you'll prolong your relationship and your life.
The A-spot Anal
Take advantage of her nerves: sensation from both the vagina and the anus go to the brain through the pelvic nerve. "So it's not surprising that when activated non-genitally, it can also generate orgasm," says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Thus rectal stimulation can feel good because her nervous system thinks the pleasure is coming from the vagina. The way to make this work for you both is to gently stimulate both at the same time. But make sure you ask first because a lot of women are squeamish.
The E-spot Eyes
Research in the journal Sexual Rehabilitation of the Spinal-Cord-Injured Patient found that some women can experience orgasm and sexual pleasure from imagery alone, without any form of touching. Use it to your advantage by assuming a face-to-face position, with you on top and her getting a good view of your manly physique enveloping her. Doggy style is out, then. But her imagining it is not.
The B-spot Breasts
Use the science of breasts to speed along her orgasm. Sensory activity from the breasts causes production and secretion of oxytocin, the same hormone as caused by vaginal or clitoral stimulation, says Dr Bhonsle who is also head of department of sexual medicine at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai. This then travels to the area of the brain that monitors the genitals. Use slow, rhythmic stimulation of her nipples and the lower portion of her breasts to increase her responsiveness before you move south.
The M-spot Mouth
"Orgasms can be elicited from any body part," says Dr Bhonsle. "But because of their high nerve density, a woman's lips have been found to have a direct effect on her genital organs." So kiss her at different levels of pressure and rhythm during sex- don't just roll on top of her lips-first as a signal that you're bored with watching TV and angling to get down to it. That's a turn-off.
The K-spot Knees
Experiments conducted by the authors of The Science Of Orgasm discovered an orgasm-like response from the stimulation of a woman's knee. A vibrator applied to this body-part caused an increase in muscle-tension leading toward the top of her legs, which resulted in climax. Exploit the orgasmic potential of running your hands up and down her legs before and during sex, paying particular attention to the area between the very top of her thighs and the crook of her knee.
The G-spot G-spot
After the clitoris, this should be your orgasmic fail-safe. Research in the journal Annals Of Sex Research describes how using fingers to stimulate the front wall inside the vagina with the woman lying on her back enabled 100 per cent of those tested to achieve orgasm. Follow the technique of the examiners and rub the "internal region nearest the clitoris" using a 'come-here' motion (shape like a fish-hook) with one or more fingers.
The C-spot Clitoris
You know where this is, right? In a report published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 94 per cent of women studied had experienced orgasm from direct clitoral simulation. The clitoris was said to be 'the most densely innervated part of the human body' and clitoral orgasms were found to feel acutely localised around the genitals. All those nerve endings mean you need to start slow. "Follow her body's motion so you build up your rhythm as she gets closer to her big moment," says Dr Sudhakar Krishnamurti, andrologist and microsurgeon, director of Andromeda Andrology Center, Hyderabad.
Jumpstart your sex lifeHere's your most definitive guide to win her heart, body and soul...
Compliment her: And keep doing it. It'll make her feel noticed, special and appreciated, and closer to you. "The more connected she feels, the more sexually inspired she'll feel," says Dr Minnu Bhonsle, a psychologist at Heart To Heart Counselling Centre, Mumbai. Compliment what she feels good about and cares about—her hair, shoes, work triumphs—but be genuine. A confident sex partner is an adventurous sex partner.
Use fragrance for foreplay: Spray a touch of the cologne she loves on the sheets. A study by Indiana University found that women who fantasised while smelling a men's cologne were more aroused than when smelling a neutral odour or women's cologne. If you don't have a scent, shop for one with her. That's foreplay for her, too.
Talk in public: In a park with people all around, whisper your fantasies to each other, sparing no detail. You'll create sexual tension, but there's no possibility of sex then and there. "It's just plain sexy to start something that can't be finished right then," says Helen Fisher, PhD, a US-based anthropologist and the author of Why We Love.
Go wild: Add a distinct but manageable touch of danger to the day. It will stimulate dopamine in her brain, which may trigger her sex drive, says Dr Rohit Jaiman, consultant psychiatrist at Fortis, New Delhi. Pick the right trip-a guided white-water excursion, for instance-and learn all about both the risks and the precautions you'll take. She'll see you as the cause of the excitement, as well as the source of security.
Explore new regions: You've heard about her nipples and vagina? Good. Now spend some time on the back of her neck. It's a brave new world of nerve endings, so gentle caressing and kissing helps. The base of her spine is sensation central, as well. Sex becomes about discovery, not seeking some destination. "Goal-oriented sex is not that sexy, so you need to try new erogenous zones," says Mumbai-based sexologist and counsellor Dr Prakash Kothari.
Watch porn with the sound off... So the two of you can provide the dialogue. You'll learn how to talk erotically, so it's very educational. But it's also fun, you're both in vested in it, and it can help reveal fantasies, says Ava Cadell, PhD, a sex therapist and the author of Love around the House.
...or see a chick flick: Maybe porn isn't her thing. But Hrithik, Imran Khan or George Clooney might be, and for her, these guys are porn. She'll be fantasising about a man who's sweet and will treat her well. And when he kisses the female lead, you kiss your lady at the same time. Show her that reality-her life-can be better.
Craft fantasies: One lazy afternoon, get some wine and divide 10 playing cards amongst yourselves. Write down five sexual fantasies while the wine loosens your inhibitions. Then head out to dinner and over more wine, pull out the cards and discuss. You'll feel filthy discussing this stuff in hushed voices in public, which is the point. Make three piles-'Yes', 'Maybe' and 'Never'. Once a month (she feels sexiest before she ovulates), pull a winner. Any necessary planning heightens the anticipation.
Invite her to ditch her underwear during dinner: The naked secret you now share will linger through dessert, says Dr Samir Parikh, chief of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare, New Delhi.
Visit the bookstore: The books on erotica will fuel your imaginations. Make some purchases, then read them to each other. You'll discover new interests that, amazingly, never came up. Then, enact a scene.
Try something new during penetration: Rather than in-and-out, try rotation. It'll make for a different kind of clitoral stimulation, says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Less thrusting will help you last much longer too.
Leave home: Plan a trip without the kids, because Mom and Dad must also be husband and wife. Take lots of pictures; in a few months, go through them slowly, and recall all the great stuff.
Ask for directions: The clitoris has two sides. So ask, "Do you like it on the left or the right?" Either she knows and will appreciate your sensitivity or she doesn't, and now you've given her a new path to happiness. Plus, she'll be more comfortable giving you feedback.
Feed her black licorice: Black licorice has been shown to speed up her genital blood flow by 40 per cent. Or eat one of these sex enhancers yourself.
Sex enhancers to try today
If you need a dose to further stiffen your resolve in the bedroom, here's the lowdown on prominent potency products.
Viagra
The claim: Developed to combat angina, Viagra dilates blood vessels with the effect, among other things, of increasing blood flow to the penis.
The science: According to researchers at Auburn University, Viagra can help treat the unmanly droop caused by everything from depression to diabetes.
Ginkgo Biloba
The claim: The leaves of this tree are said to be an anti-depressant and increasing sexual response.
The science: It relaxes the muscle controlling blood flow to the penis. One study found that it improved libido and orgasm in 76 per cent of cases tested.
Yohimbine
The claim: Bark from this tree has been said to enhance your erection quality.
The science: According to the Archives of Sexual Behavior, a dose of 15-30gm per day can produce 'positive effects'.
Tribulus Terrestris
The claim: This plant extract is reputed to help you grow every (and that!) muscle in your body, by increasing your testosterone production.
The science: The results are dubious. Online drug watchdog supplementwatch. com notes the active ingredient hasn't even been identified. It's been observed to stimulate 'mounting' in animals.
Ginseng
The claim: A stress-reliever, ginseng has been found to perk up more than just your mood.
The science: This increases the flow of erection-facilitating nitric oxide. A study found ginseng had a positive effect on 60 per cent of men suffering the droop.
Arginmax
The claim: This is a herbal supplement pitched at the Viagra buyer that promises 'great sex and good health for men and women'.
The science: A study published in the Hawaii Medical Journal found an 89 per cent increase in ability to maintain erection in men who participated in the study.
Cardamom
The claim: Spices are said to fire up libido. A strong aphrodisiac, it is popular in India and was used by queen Cleopatra to deodorise her rooms.
The science: Cardamom is high in cineole, a central nervous system stimulant. It can increase blood flow in areas where it is applied. It can be mixed with honey.
Chillies
The claim: One of the 'love foods', it has been known to have anti-inflammatory, circulatory and relaxant properties.
The science: These are rich in capsaicin, a chemical that stimulates nerve endings and raises pulse. They also release endorphins that give the body a heady feeling.
The Anatomy of Ecstasy
By M H Ahssan
Creating an explosive sexual reaction means taking the right elements for you and her. Get it right and you'll prolong your relationship and your life.
The A-spot Anal
Take advantage of her nerves: sensation from both the vagina and the anus go to the brain through the pelvic nerve. "So it's not surprising that when activated non-genitally, it can also generate orgasm," says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Thus rectal stimulation can feel good because her nervous system thinks the pleasure is coming from the vagina. The way to make this work for you both is to gently stimulate both at the same time. But make sure you ask first because a lot of women are squeamish.
The E-spot Eyes
Research in the journal Sexual Rehabilitation of the Spinal-Cord-Injured Patient found that some women can experience orgasm and sexual pleasure from imagery alone, without any form of touching. Use it to your advantage by assuming a face-to-face position, with you on top and her getting a good view of your manly physique enveloping her. Doggy style is out, then. But her imagining it is not.
The B-spot Breasts
Use the science of breasts to speed along her orgasm. Sensory activity from the breasts causes production and secretion of oxytocin, the same hormone as caused by vaginal or clitoral stimulation, says Dr Bhonsle who is also head of department of sexual medicine at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai. This then travels to the area of the brain that monitors the genitals. Use slow, rhythmic stimulation of her nipples and the lower portion of her breasts to increase her responsiveness before you move south.
The M-spot Mouth
"Orgasms can be elicited from any body part," says Dr Bhonsle. "But because of their high nerve density, a woman's lips have been found to have a direct effect on her genital organs." So kiss her at different levels of pressure and rhythm during sex- don't just roll on top of her lips-first as a signal that you're bored with watching TV and angling to get down to it. That's a turn-off.
The K-spot Knees
Experiments conducted by the authors of The Science Of Orgasm discovered an orgasm-like response from the stimulation of a woman's knee. A vibrator applied to this body-part caused an increase in muscle-tension leading toward the top of her legs, which resulted in climax. Exploit the orgasmic potential of running your hands up and down her legs before and during sex, paying particular attention to the area between the very top of her thighs and the crook of her knee.
The G-spot G-spot
After the clitoris, this should be your orgasmic fail-safe. Research in the journal Annals Of Sex Research describes how using fingers to stimulate the front wall inside the vagina with the woman lying on her back enabled 100 per cent of those tested to achieve orgasm. Follow the technique of the examiners and rub the "internal region nearest the clitoris" using a 'come-here' motion (shape like a fish-hook) with one or more fingers.
The C-spot Clitoris
You know where this is, right? In a report published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 94 per cent of women studied had experienced orgasm from direct clitoral simulation. The clitoris was said to be 'the most densely innervated part of the human body' and clitoral orgasms were found to feel acutely localised around the genitals. All those nerve endings mean you need to start slow. "Follow her body's motion so you build up your rhythm as she gets closer to her big moment," says Dr Sudhakar Krishnamurti, andrologist and microsurgeon, director of Andromeda Andrology Center, Hyderabad.
Jumpstart your sex lifeHere's your most definitive guide to win her heart, body and soul...
Compliment her: And keep doing it. It'll make her feel noticed, special and appreciated, and closer to you. "The more connected she feels, the more sexually inspired she'll feel," says Dr Minnu Bhonsle, a psychologist at Heart To Heart Counselling Centre, Mumbai. Compliment what she feels good about and cares about—her hair, shoes, work triumphs—but be genuine. A confident sex partner is an adventurous sex partner.
Use fragrance for foreplay: Spray a touch of the cologne she loves on the sheets. A study by Indiana University found that women who fantasised while smelling a men's cologne were more aroused than when smelling a neutral odour or women's cologne. If you don't have a scent, shop for one with her. That's foreplay for her, too.
Talk in public: In a park with people all around, whisper your fantasies to each other, sparing no detail. You'll create sexual tension, but there's no possibility of sex then and there. "It's just plain sexy to start something that can't be finished right then," says Helen Fisher, PhD, a US-based anthropologist and the author of Why We Love.
Go wild: Add a distinct but manageable touch of danger to the day. It will stimulate dopamine in her brain, which may trigger her sex drive, says Dr Rohit Jaiman, consultant psychiatrist at Fortis, New Delhi. Pick the right trip-a guided white-water excursion, for instance-and learn all about both the risks and the precautions you'll take. She'll see you as the cause of the excitement, as well as the source of security.
Explore new regions: You've heard about her nipples and vagina? Good. Now spend some time on the back of her neck. It's a brave new world of nerve endings, so gentle caressing and kissing helps. The base of her spine is sensation central, as well. Sex becomes about discovery, not seeking some destination. "Goal-oriented sex is not that sexy, so you need to try new erogenous zones," says Mumbai-based sexologist and counsellor Dr Prakash Kothari.
Watch porn with the sound off... So the two of you can provide the dialogue. You'll learn how to talk erotically, so it's very educational. But it's also fun, you're both in vested in it, and it can help reveal fantasies, says Ava Cadell, PhD, a sex therapist and the author of Love around the House.
...or see a chick flick: Maybe porn isn't her thing. But Hrithik, Imran Khan or George Clooney might be, and for her, these guys are porn. She'll be fantasising about a man who's sweet and will treat her well. And when he kisses the female lead, you kiss your lady at the same time. Show her that reality-her life-can be better.
Craft fantasies: One lazy afternoon, get some wine and divide 10 playing cards amongst yourselves. Write down five sexual fantasies while the wine loosens your inhibitions. Then head out to dinner and over more wine, pull out the cards and discuss. You'll feel filthy discussing this stuff in hushed voices in public, which is the point. Make three piles-'Yes', 'Maybe' and 'Never'. Once a month (she feels sexiest before she ovulates), pull a winner. Any necessary planning heightens the anticipation.
Invite her to ditch her underwear during dinner: The naked secret you now share will linger through dessert, says Dr Samir Parikh, chief of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare, New Delhi.
Visit the bookstore: The books on erotica will fuel your imaginations. Make some purchases, then read them to each other. You'll discover new interests that, amazingly, never came up. Then, enact a scene.
Try something new during penetration: Rather than in-and-out, try rotation. It'll make for a different kind of clitoral stimulation, says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Less thrusting will help you last much longer too.
Leave home: Plan a trip without the kids, because Mom and Dad must also be husband and wife. Take lots of pictures; in a few months, go through them slowly, and recall all the great stuff.
Ask for directions: The clitoris has two sides. So ask, "Do you like it on the left or the right?" Either she knows and will appreciate your sensitivity or she doesn't, and now you've given her a new path to happiness. Plus, she'll be more comfortable giving you feedback.
Feed her black licorice: Black licorice has been shown to speed up her genital blood flow by 40 per cent. Or eat one of these sex enhancers yourself.
Sex enhancers to try today
If you need a dose to further stiffen your resolve in the bedroom, here's the lowdown on prominent potency products.
Viagra
The claim: Developed to combat angina, Viagra dilates blood vessels with the effect, among other things, of increasing blood flow to the penis.
The science: According to researchers at Auburn University, Viagra can help treat the unmanly droop caused by everything from depression to diabetes.
Ginkgo Biloba
The claim: The leaves of this tree are said to be an anti-depressant and increasing sexual response.
The science: It relaxes the muscle controlling blood flow to the penis. One study found that it improved libido and orgasm in 76 per cent of cases tested.
Yohimbine
The claim: Bark from this tree has been said to enhance your erection quality.
The science: According to the Archives of Sexual Behavior, a dose of 15-30gm per day can produce 'positive effects'.
Tribulus Terrestris
The claim: This plant extract is reputed to help you grow every (and that!) muscle in your body, by increasing your testosterone production.
The science: The results are dubious. Online drug watchdog supplementwatch. com notes the active ingredient hasn't even been identified. It's been observed to stimulate 'mounting' in animals.
Ginseng
The claim: A stress-reliever, ginseng has been found to perk up more than just your mood.
The science: This increases the flow of erection-facilitating nitric oxide. A study found ginseng had a positive effect on 60 per cent of men suffering the droop.
Arginmax
The claim: This is a herbal supplement pitched at the Viagra buyer that promises 'great sex and good health for men and women'.
The science: A study published in the Hawaii Medical Journal found an 89 per cent increase in ability to maintain erection in men who participated in the study.
Cardamom
The claim: Spices are said to fire up libido. A strong aphrodisiac, it is popular in India and was used by queen Cleopatra to deodorise her rooms.
The science: Cardamom is high in cineole, a central nervous system stimulant. It can increase blood flow in areas where it is applied. It can be mixed with honey.
Chillies
The claim: One of the 'love foods', it has been known to have anti-inflammatory, circulatory and relaxant properties.
The science: These are rich in capsaicin, a chemical that stimulates nerve endings and raises pulse. They also release endorphins that give the body a heady feeling.
Creating an explosive sexual reaction means taking the right elements for you and her. Get it right and you'll prolong your relationship and your life.
The A-spot Anal
Take advantage of her nerves: sensation from both the vagina and the anus go to the brain through the pelvic nerve. "So it's not surprising that when activated non-genitally, it can also generate orgasm," says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Thus rectal stimulation can feel good because her nervous system thinks the pleasure is coming from the vagina. The way to make this work for you both is to gently stimulate both at the same time. But make sure you ask first because a lot of women are squeamish.
The E-spot Eyes
Research in the journal Sexual Rehabilitation of the Spinal-Cord-Injured Patient found that some women can experience orgasm and sexual pleasure from imagery alone, without any form of touching. Use it to your advantage by assuming a face-to-face position, with you on top and her getting a good view of your manly physique enveloping her. Doggy style is out, then. But her imagining it is not.
The B-spot Breasts
Use the science of breasts to speed along her orgasm. Sensory activity from the breasts causes production and secretion of oxytocin, the same hormone as caused by vaginal or clitoral stimulation, says Dr Bhonsle who is also head of department of sexual medicine at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai. This then travels to the area of the brain that monitors the genitals. Use slow, rhythmic stimulation of her nipples and the lower portion of her breasts to increase her responsiveness before you move south.
The M-spot Mouth
"Orgasms can be elicited from any body part," says Dr Bhonsle. "But because of their high nerve density, a woman's lips have been found to have a direct effect on her genital organs." So kiss her at different levels of pressure and rhythm during sex- don't just roll on top of her lips-first as a signal that you're bored with watching TV and angling to get down to it. That's a turn-off.
The K-spot Knees
Experiments conducted by the authors of The Science Of Orgasm discovered an orgasm-like response from the stimulation of a woman's knee. A vibrator applied to this body-part caused an increase in muscle-tension leading toward the top of her legs, which resulted in climax. Exploit the orgasmic potential of running your hands up and down her legs before and during sex, paying particular attention to the area between the very top of her thighs and the crook of her knee.
The G-spot G-spot
After the clitoris, this should be your orgasmic fail-safe. Research in the journal Annals Of Sex Research describes how using fingers to stimulate the front wall inside the vagina with the woman lying on her back enabled 100 per cent of those tested to achieve orgasm. Follow the technique of the examiners and rub the "internal region nearest the clitoris" using a 'come-here' motion (shape like a fish-hook) with one or more fingers.
The C-spot Clitoris
You know where this is, right? In a report published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 94 per cent of women studied had experienced orgasm from direct clitoral simulation. The clitoris was said to be 'the most densely innervated part of the human body' and clitoral orgasms were found to feel acutely localised around the genitals. All those nerve endings mean you need to start slow. "Follow her body's motion so you build up your rhythm as she gets closer to her big moment," says Dr Sudhakar Krishnamurti, andrologist and microsurgeon, director of Andromeda Andrology Center, Hyderabad.
Jumpstart your sex lifeHere's your most definitive guide to win her heart, body and soul...
Compliment her: And keep doing it. It'll make her feel noticed, special and appreciated, and closer to you. "The more connected she feels, the more sexually inspired she'll feel," says Dr Minnu Bhonsle, a psychologist at Heart To Heart Counselling Centre, Mumbai. Compliment what she feels good about and cares about—her hair, shoes, work triumphs—but be genuine. A confident sex partner is an adventurous sex partner.
Use fragrance for foreplay: Spray a touch of the cologne she loves on the sheets. A study by Indiana University found that women who fantasised while smelling a men's cologne were more aroused than when smelling a neutral odour or women's cologne. If you don't have a scent, shop for one with her. That's foreplay for her, too.
Talk in public: In a park with people all around, whisper your fantasies to each other, sparing no detail. You'll create sexual tension, but there's no possibility of sex then and there. "It's just plain sexy to start something that can't be finished right then," says Helen Fisher, PhD, a US-based anthropologist and the author of Why We Love.
Go wild: Add a distinct but manageable touch of danger to the day. It will stimulate dopamine in her brain, which may trigger her sex drive, says Dr Rohit Jaiman, consultant psychiatrist at Fortis, New Delhi. Pick the right trip-a guided white-water excursion, for instance-and learn all about both the risks and the precautions you'll take. She'll see you as the cause of the excitement, as well as the source of security.
Explore new regions: You've heard about her nipples and vagina? Good. Now spend some time on the back of her neck. It's a brave new world of nerve endings, so gentle caressing and kissing helps. The base of her spine is sensation central, as well. Sex becomes about discovery, not seeking some destination. "Goal-oriented sex is not that sexy, so you need to try new erogenous zones," says Mumbai-based sexologist and counsellor Dr Prakash Kothari.
Watch porn with the sound off... So the two of you can provide the dialogue. You'll learn how to talk erotically, so it's very educational. But it's also fun, you're both in vested in it, and it can help reveal fantasies, says Ava Cadell, PhD, a sex therapist and the author of Love around the House.
...or see a chick flick: Maybe porn isn't her thing. But Hrithik, Imran Khan or George Clooney might be, and for her, these guys are porn. She'll be fantasising about a man who's sweet and will treat her well. And when he kisses the female lead, you kiss your lady at the same time. Show her that reality-her life-can be better.
Craft fantasies: One lazy afternoon, get some wine and divide 10 playing cards amongst yourselves. Write down five sexual fantasies while the wine loosens your inhibitions. Then head out to dinner and over more wine, pull out the cards and discuss. You'll feel filthy discussing this stuff in hushed voices in public, which is the point. Make three piles-'Yes', 'Maybe' and 'Never'. Once a month (she feels sexiest before she ovulates), pull a winner. Any necessary planning heightens the anticipation.
Invite her to ditch her underwear during dinner: The naked secret you now share will linger through dessert, says Dr Samir Parikh, chief of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare, New Delhi.
Visit the bookstore: The books on erotica will fuel your imaginations. Make some purchases, then read them to each other. You'll discover new interests that, amazingly, never came up. Then, enact a scene.
Try something new during penetration: Rather than in-and-out, try rotation. It'll make for a different kind of clitoral stimulation, says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Less thrusting will help you last much longer too.
Leave home: Plan a trip without the kids, because Mom and Dad must also be husband and wife. Take lots of pictures; in a few months, go through them slowly, and recall all the great stuff.
Ask for directions: The clitoris has two sides. So ask, "Do you like it on the left or the right?" Either she knows and will appreciate your sensitivity or she doesn't, and now you've given her a new path to happiness. Plus, she'll be more comfortable giving you feedback.
Feed her black licorice: Black licorice has been shown to speed up her genital blood flow by 40 per cent. Or eat one of these sex enhancers yourself.
Sex enhancers to try today
If you need a dose to further stiffen your resolve in the bedroom, here's the lowdown on prominent potency products.
Viagra
The claim: Developed to combat angina, Viagra dilates blood vessels with the effect, among other things, of increasing blood flow to the penis.
The science: According to researchers at Auburn University, Viagra can help treat the unmanly droop caused by everything from depression to diabetes.
Ginkgo Biloba
The claim: The leaves of this tree are said to be an anti-depressant and increasing sexual response.
The science: It relaxes the muscle controlling blood flow to the penis. One study found that it improved libido and orgasm in 76 per cent of cases tested.
Yohimbine
The claim: Bark from this tree has been said to enhance your erection quality.
The science: According to the Archives of Sexual Behavior, a dose of 15-30gm per day can produce 'positive effects'.
Tribulus Terrestris
The claim: This plant extract is reputed to help you grow every (and that!) muscle in your body, by increasing your testosterone production.
The science: The results are dubious. Online drug watchdog supplementwatch. com notes the active ingredient hasn't even been identified. It's been observed to stimulate 'mounting' in animals.
Ginseng
The claim: A stress-reliever, ginseng has been found to perk up more than just your mood.
The science: This increases the flow of erection-facilitating nitric oxide. A study found ginseng had a positive effect on 60 per cent of men suffering the droop.
Arginmax
The claim: This is a herbal supplement pitched at the Viagra buyer that promises 'great sex and good health for men and women'.
The science: A study published in the Hawaii Medical Journal found an 89 per cent increase in ability to maintain erection in men who participated in the study.
Cardamom
The claim: Spices are said to fire up libido. A strong aphrodisiac, it is popular in India and was used by queen Cleopatra to deodorise her rooms.
The science: Cardamom is high in cineole, a central nervous system stimulant. It can increase blood flow in areas where it is applied. It can be mixed with honey.
Chillies
The claim: One of the 'love foods', it has been known to have anti-inflammatory, circulatory and relaxant properties.
The science: These are rich in capsaicin, a chemical that stimulates nerve endings and raises pulse. They also release endorphins that give the body a heady feeling.
The Anatomy of Ecstasy
By M H Ahssan
Creating an explosive sexual reaction means taking the right elements for you and her. Get it right and you'll prolong your relationship and your life.
The A-spot Anal
Take advantage of her nerves: sensation from both the vagina and the anus go to the brain through the pelvic nerve. "So it's not surprising that when activated non-genitally, it can also generate orgasm," says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Thus rectal stimulation can feel good because her nervous system thinks the pleasure is coming from the vagina. The way to make this work for you both is to gently stimulate both at the same time. But make sure you ask first because a lot of women are squeamish.
The E-spot Eyes
Research in the journal Sexual Rehabilitation of the Spinal-Cord-Injured Patient found that some women can experience orgasm and sexual pleasure from imagery alone, without any form of touching. Use it to your advantage by assuming a face-to-face position, with you on top and her getting a good view of your manly physique enveloping her. Doggy style is out, then. But her imagining it is not.
The B-spot Breasts
Use the science of breasts to speed along her orgasm. Sensory activity from the breasts causes production and secretion of oxytocin, the same hormone as caused by vaginal or clitoral stimulation, says Dr Bhonsle who is also head of department of sexual medicine at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai. This then travels to the area of the brain that monitors the genitals. Use slow, rhythmic stimulation of her nipples and the lower portion of her breasts to increase her responsiveness before you move south.
The M-spot Mouth
"Orgasms can be elicited from any body part," says Dr Bhonsle. "But because of their high nerve density, a woman's lips have been found to have a direct effect on her genital organs." So kiss her at different levels of pressure and rhythm during sex- don't just roll on top of her lips-first as a signal that you're bored with watching TV and angling to get down to it. That's a turn-off.
The K-spot Knees
Experiments conducted by the authors of The Science Of Orgasm discovered an orgasm-like response from the stimulation of a woman's knee. A vibrator applied to this body-part caused an increase in muscle-tension leading toward the top of her legs, which resulted in climax. Exploit the orgasmic potential of running your hands up and down her legs before and during sex, paying particular attention to the area between the very top of her thighs and the crook of her knee.
The G-spot G-spot
After the clitoris, this should be your orgasmic fail-safe. Research in the journal Annals Of Sex Research describes how using fingers to stimulate the front wall inside the vagina with the woman lying on her back enabled 100 per cent of those tested to achieve orgasm. Follow the technique of the examiners and rub the "internal region nearest the clitoris" using a 'come-here' motion (shape like a fish-hook) with one or more fingers.
The C-spot Clitoris
You know where this is, right? In a report published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 94 per cent of women studied had experienced orgasm from direct clitoral simulation. The clitoris was said to be 'the most densely innervated part of the human body' and clitoral orgasms were found to feel acutely localised around the genitals. All those nerve endings mean you need to start slow. "Follow her body's motion so you build up your rhythm as she gets closer to her big moment," says Dr Sudhakar Krishnamurti, andrologist and microsurgeon, director of Andromeda Andrology Center, Hyderabad.
Jumpstart your sex lifeHere's your most definitive guide to win her heart, body and soul...
Compliment her: And keep doing it. It'll make her feel noticed, special and appreciated, and closer to you. "The more connected she feels, the more sexually inspired she'll feel," says Dr Minnu Bhonsle, a psychologist at Heart To Heart Counselling Centre, Mumbai. Compliment what she feels good about and cares about—her hair, shoes, work triumphs—but be genuine. A confident sex partner is an adventurous sex partner.
Use fragrance for foreplay: Spray a touch of the cologne she loves on the sheets. A study by Indiana University found that women who fantasised while smelling a men's cologne were more aroused than when smelling a neutral odour or women's cologne. If you don't have a scent, shop for one with her. That's foreplay for her, too.
Talk in public: In a park with people all around, whisper your fantasies to each other, sparing no detail. You'll create sexual tension, but there's no possibility of sex then and there. "It's just plain sexy to start something that can't be finished right then," says Helen Fisher, PhD, a US-based anthropologist and the author of Why We Love.
Go wild: Add a distinct but manageable touch of danger to the day. It will stimulate dopamine in her brain, which may trigger her sex drive, says Dr Rohit Jaiman, consultant psychiatrist at Fortis, New Delhi. Pick the right trip-a guided white-water excursion, for instance-and learn all about both the risks and the precautions you'll take. She'll see you as the cause of the excitement, as well as the source of security.
Explore new regions: You've heard about her nipples and vagina? Good. Now spend some time on the back of her neck. It's a brave new world of nerve endings, so gentle caressing and kissing helps. The base of her spine is sensation central, as well. Sex becomes about discovery, not seeking some destination. "Goal-oriented sex is not that sexy, so you need to try new erogenous zones," says Mumbai-based sexologist and counsellor Dr Prakash Kothari.
Watch porn with the sound off... So the two of you can provide the dialogue. You'll learn how to talk erotically, so it's very educational. But it's also fun, you're both in vested in it, and it can help reveal fantasies, says Ava Cadell, PhD, a sex therapist and the author of Love around the House.
...or see a chick flick: Maybe porn isn't her thing. But Hrithik, Imran Khan or George Clooney might be, and for her, these guys are porn. She'll be fantasising about a man who's sweet and will treat her well. And when he kisses the female lead, you kiss your lady at the same time. Show her that reality-her life-can be better.
Craft fantasies: One lazy afternoon, get some wine and divide 10 playing cards amongst yourselves. Write down five sexual fantasies while the wine loosens your inhibitions. Then head out to dinner and over more wine, pull out the cards and discuss. You'll feel filthy discussing this stuff in hushed voices in public, which is the point. Make three piles-'Yes', 'Maybe' and 'Never'. Once a month (she feels sexiest before she ovulates), pull a winner. Any necessary planning heightens the anticipation.
Invite her to ditch her underwear during dinner: The naked secret you now share will linger through dessert, says Dr Samir Parikh, chief of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare, New Delhi.
Visit the bookstore: The books on erotica will fuel your imaginations. Make some purchases, then read them to each other. You'll discover new interests that, amazingly, never came up. Then, enact a scene.
Try something new during penetration: Rather than in-and-out, try rotation. It'll make for a different kind of clitoral stimulation, says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Less thrusting will help you last much longer too.
Leave home: Plan a trip without the kids, because Mom and Dad must also be husband and wife. Take lots of pictures; in a few months, go through them slowly, and recall all the great stuff.
Ask for directions: The clitoris has two sides. So ask, "Do you like it on the left or the right?" Either she knows and will appreciate your sensitivity or she doesn't, and now you've given her a new path to happiness. Plus, she'll be more comfortable giving you feedback.
Feed her black licorice: Black licorice has been shown to speed up her genital blood flow by 40 per cent. Or eat one of these sex enhancers yourself.
Sex enhancers to try today
If you need a dose to further stiffen your resolve in the bedroom, here's the lowdown on prominent potency products.
Viagra
The claim: Developed to combat angina, Viagra dilates blood vessels with the effect, among other things, of increasing blood flow to the penis.
The science: According to researchers at Auburn University, Viagra can help treat the unmanly droop caused by everything from depression to diabetes.
Ginkgo Biloba
The claim: The leaves of this tree are said to be an anti-depressant and increasing sexual response.
The science: It relaxes the muscle controlling blood flow to the penis. One study found that it improved libido and orgasm in 76 per cent of cases tested.
Yohimbine
The claim: Bark from this tree has been said to enhance your erection quality.
The science: According to the Archives of Sexual Behavior, a dose of 15-30gm per day can produce 'positive effects'.
Tribulus Terrestris
The claim: This plant extract is reputed to help you grow every (and that!) muscle in your body, by increasing your testosterone production.
The science: The results are dubious. Online drug watchdog supplementwatch. com notes the active ingredient hasn't even been identified. It's been observed to stimulate 'mounting' in animals.
Ginseng
The claim: A stress-reliever, ginseng has been found to perk up more than just your mood.
The science: This increases the flow of erection-facilitating nitric oxide. A study found ginseng had a positive effect on 60 per cent of men suffering the droop.
Arginmax
The claim: This is a herbal supplement pitched at the Viagra buyer that promises 'great sex and good health for men and women'.
The science: A study published in the Hawaii Medical Journal found an 89 per cent increase in ability to maintain erection in men who participated in the study.
Cardamom
The claim: Spices are said to fire up libido. A strong aphrodisiac, it is popular in India and was used by queen Cleopatra to deodorise her rooms.
The science: Cardamom is high in cineole, a central nervous system stimulant. It can increase blood flow in areas where it is applied. It can be mixed with honey.
Chillies
The claim: One of the 'love foods', it has been known to have anti-inflammatory, circulatory and relaxant properties.
The science: These are rich in capsaicin, a chemical that stimulates nerve endings and raises pulse. They also release endorphins that give the body a heady feeling.
Creating an explosive sexual reaction means taking the right elements for you and her. Get it right and you'll prolong your relationship and your life.
The A-spot Anal
Take advantage of her nerves: sensation from both the vagina and the anus go to the brain through the pelvic nerve. "So it's not surprising that when activated non-genitally, it can also generate orgasm," says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Thus rectal stimulation can feel good because her nervous system thinks the pleasure is coming from the vagina. The way to make this work for you both is to gently stimulate both at the same time. But make sure you ask first because a lot of women are squeamish.
The E-spot Eyes
Research in the journal Sexual Rehabilitation of the Spinal-Cord-Injured Patient found that some women can experience orgasm and sexual pleasure from imagery alone, without any form of touching. Use it to your advantage by assuming a face-to-face position, with you on top and her getting a good view of your manly physique enveloping her. Doggy style is out, then. But her imagining it is not.
The B-spot Breasts
Use the science of breasts to speed along her orgasm. Sensory activity from the breasts causes production and secretion of oxytocin, the same hormone as caused by vaginal or clitoral stimulation, says Dr Bhonsle who is also head of department of sexual medicine at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai. This then travels to the area of the brain that monitors the genitals. Use slow, rhythmic stimulation of her nipples and the lower portion of her breasts to increase her responsiveness before you move south.
The M-spot Mouth
"Orgasms can be elicited from any body part," says Dr Bhonsle. "But because of their high nerve density, a woman's lips have been found to have a direct effect on her genital organs." So kiss her at different levels of pressure and rhythm during sex- don't just roll on top of her lips-first as a signal that you're bored with watching TV and angling to get down to it. That's a turn-off.
The K-spot Knees
Experiments conducted by the authors of The Science Of Orgasm discovered an orgasm-like response from the stimulation of a woman's knee. A vibrator applied to this body-part caused an increase in muscle-tension leading toward the top of her legs, which resulted in climax. Exploit the orgasmic potential of running your hands up and down her legs before and during sex, paying particular attention to the area between the very top of her thighs and the crook of her knee.
The G-spot G-spot
After the clitoris, this should be your orgasmic fail-safe. Research in the journal Annals Of Sex Research describes how using fingers to stimulate the front wall inside the vagina with the woman lying on her back enabled 100 per cent of those tested to achieve orgasm. Follow the technique of the examiners and rub the "internal region nearest the clitoris" using a 'come-here' motion (shape like a fish-hook) with one or more fingers.
The C-spot Clitoris
You know where this is, right? In a report published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 94 per cent of women studied had experienced orgasm from direct clitoral simulation. The clitoris was said to be 'the most densely innervated part of the human body' and clitoral orgasms were found to feel acutely localised around the genitals. All those nerve endings mean you need to start slow. "Follow her body's motion so you build up your rhythm as she gets closer to her big moment," says Dr Sudhakar Krishnamurti, andrologist and microsurgeon, director of Andromeda Andrology Center, Hyderabad.
Jumpstart your sex lifeHere's your most definitive guide to win her heart, body and soul...
Compliment her: And keep doing it. It'll make her feel noticed, special and appreciated, and closer to you. "The more connected she feels, the more sexually inspired she'll feel," says Dr Minnu Bhonsle, a psychologist at Heart To Heart Counselling Centre, Mumbai. Compliment what she feels good about and cares about—her hair, shoes, work triumphs—but be genuine. A confident sex partner is an adventurous sex partner.
Use fragrance for foreplay: Spray a touch of the cologne she loves on the sheets. A study by Indiana University found that women who fantasised while smelling a men's cologne were more aroused than when smelling a neutral odour or women's cologne. If you don't have a scent, shop for one with her. That's foreplay for her, too.
Talk in public: In a park with people all around, whisper your fantasies to each other, sparing no detail. You'll create sexual tension, but there's no possibility of sex then and there. "It's just plain sexy to start something that can't be finished right then," says Helen Fisher, PhD, a US-based anthropologist and the author of Why We Love.
Go wild: Add a distinct but manageable touch of danger to the day. It will stimulate dopamine in her brain, which may trigger her sex drive, says Dr Rohit Jaiman, consultant psychiatrist at Fortis, New Delhi. Pick the right trip-a guided white-water excursion, for instance-and learn all about both the risks and the precautions you'll take. She'll see you as the cause of the excitement, as well as the source of security.
Explore new regions: You've heard about her nipples and vagina? Good. Now spend some time on the back of her neck. It's a brave new world of nerve endings, so gentle caressing and kissing helps. The base of her spine is sensation central, as well. Sex becomes about discovery, not seeking some destination. "Goal-oriented sex is not that sexy, so you need to try new erogenous zones," says Mumbai-based sexologist and counsellor Dr Prakash Kothari.
Watch porn with the sound off... So the two of you can provide the dialogue. You'll learn how to talk erotically, so it's very educational. But it's also fun, you're both in vested in it, and it can help reveal fantasies, says Ava Cadell, PhD, a sex therapist and the author of Love around the House.
...or see a chick flick: Maybe porn isn't her thing. But Hrithik, Imran Khan or George Clooney might be, and for her, these guys are porn. She'll be fantasising about a man who's sweet and will treat her well. And when he kisses the female lead, you kiss your lady at the same time. Show her that reality-her life-can be better.
Craft fantasies: One lazy afternoon, get some wine and divide 10 playing cards amongst yourselves. Write down five sexual fantasies while the wine loosens your inhibitions. Then head out to dinner and over more wine, pull out the cards and discuss. You'll feel filthy discussing this stuff in hushed voices in public, which is the point. Make three piles-'Yes', 'Maybe' and 'Never'. Once a month (she feels sexiest before she ovulates), pull a winner. Any necessary planning heightens the anticipation.
Invite her to ditch her underwear during dinner: The naked secret you now share will linger through dessert, says Dr Samir Parikh, chief of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare, New Delhi.
Visit the bookstore: The books on erotica will fuel your imaginations. Make some purchases, then read them to each other. You'll discover new interests that, amazingly, never came up. Then, enact a scene.
Try something new during penetration: Rather than in-and-out, try rotation. It'll make for a different kind of clitoral stimulation, says Dr Rajan Bhonsle, consultant in sexual medicine and counsellor. Less thrusting will help you last much longer too.
Leave home: Plan a trip without the kids, because Mom and Dad must also be husband and wife. Take lots of pictures; in a few months, go through them slowly, and recall all the great stuff.
Ask for directions: The clitoris has two sides. So ask, "Do you like it on the left or the right?" Either she knows and will appreciate your sensitivity or she doesn't, and now you've given her a new path to happiness. Plus, she'll be more comfortable giving you feedback.
Feed her black licorice: Black licorice has been shown to speed up her genital blood flow by 40 per cent. Or eat one of these sex enhancers yourself.
Sex enhancers to try today
If you need a dose to further stiffen your resolve in the bedroom, here's the lowdown on prominent potency products.
Viagra
The claim: Developed to combat angina, Viagra dilates blood vessels with the effect, among other things, of increasing blood flow to the penis.
The science: According to researchers at Auburn University, Viagra can help treat the unmanly droop caused by everything from depression to diabetes.
Ginkgo Biloba
The claim: The leaves of this tree are said to be an anti-depressant and increasing sexual response.
The science: It relaxes the muscle controlling blood flow to the penis. One study found that it improved libido and orgasm in 76 per cent of cases tested.
Yohimbine
The claim: Bark from this tree has been said to enhance your erection quality.
The science: According to the Archives of Sexual Behavior, a dose of 15-30gm per day can produce 'positive effects'.
Tribulus Terrestris
The claim: This plant extract is reputed to help you grow every (and that!) muscle in your body, by increasing your testosterone production.
The science: The results are dubious. Online drug watchdog supplementwatch. com notes the active ingredient hasn't even been identified. It's been observed to stimulate 'mounting' in animals.
Ginseng
The claim: A stress-reliever, ginseng has been found to perk up more than just your mood.
The science: This increases the flow of erection-facilitating nitric oxide. A study found ginseng had a positive effect on 60 per cent of men suffering the droop.
Arginmax
The claim: This is a herbal supplement pitched at the Viagra buyer that promises 'great sex and good health for men and women'.
The science: A study published in the Hawaii Medical Journal found an 89 per cent increase in ability to maintain erection in men who participated in the study.
Cardamom
The claim: Spices are said to fire up libido. A strong aphrodisiac, it is popular in India and was used by queen Cleopatra to deodorise her rooms.
The science: Cardamom is high in cineole, a central nervous system stimulant. It can increase blood flow in areas where it is applied. It can be mixed with honey.
Chillies
The claim: One of the 'love foods', it has been known to have anti-inflammatory, circulatory and relaxant properties.
The science: These are rich in capsaicin, a chemical that stimulates nerve endings and raises pulse. They also release endorphins that give the body a heady feeling.
INDIA'S RICHEST POLITICIANS
Editor Speaks: There’s an old saying that money is the mother’s milk of politics. In the Indian context, it’s more a question of milking the state. We have reached a level of cohabitation where money, corruption and unethical deal-making occupy the same bed. Increasingly, people are joining politics to make money or stay out of jail. Money power is the dominant factor in today’s electoral politics. Back in the mid-90s when HNN was launched, I remember meeting politicians who were struggling to make ends meet. When we featured them next, they had become overnight millionaires. The point is not that we can’t have wealthy politicians but the question of how they earned their wealth. I am sure there are many legitimately rich politicians but politics increasingly resembles a profitable business rather than a public service today.
It wasn’t always so. Money power has played a positive role in politics: Industrialist G.D. Birla bankrolled Gandhi’s campaigns and along with other businessmen entered politics inspired by the freedom movement. It was in the late ’60s, when ‘Aya Ram Gaya Ram’ entered the political vocabulary, that money became a major factor. Since then the situation has only worsened with the dawn of coalition governments in the late ’80s.
With the likelihood of not being returned for the next term, they make hay while the sun shines and quite blatantly. No wonder many of these governments have been termed as ‘cash and carry’ ones. These days, it’s almost impossible to find a poor politician except among the Left parties. Adding to the scenario is the fact that a large number of businessmen have joined politics in recent years, either elected or nominated by various parties.
So who are India’s richest politicians? Thanks to a Supreme Court ruling in 2002, the filing of assets data is mandatory by anyone contesting an election. In order to establish exactly who are India’s rich politicians, we undertook a study along with EmpoweringIndia, an initiative of the Liberty Institute led by Barun Mitra. It took three months of exhaustive research at the Election Commission and Rajya Sabha Secretariat by staffers Swati Reddy and Kajol Singh under the supervision of Editor in Chief M H Ahssan to list the richest politicians whose submissions are open to debate.
The filing of assets data is mandatory but not verified. Some legislators have shown an increase in wealth of over 500 per cent in four years. Yet, the statistics are revealing. Of the 215 Rajya Sabha members for which we have data, 105 are crorepatis. Of the 522 Lok Sabha members, 135 are crorepatis.
Members of legislative assemblies seem wealthier than many of the MPs. The top five MLAs across the 30 states are worth Rs 2,042 crore. Uttar Pradesh has the richest chief minister and 113 crorepati MLAs. One indication of how this money has been accumulated is that of 150 wealthiest MLAs, 59 don’t even have a PAN card! Our cover story looks at India’s richest politicians across various categories. A handful are legitimate businessmen, the rest only serve to reinforce the dubious nexus between power and money.
Richest politicians
A lean bare man on the banks of a river near Champaran, his eyes moist with sadness, letting go of his shawl for a poor woman downstream to cover herself and her child. This poignant moment from Richard Attenborough’s biopic on Gandhi is perhaps the most eloquent image of selfless politics.
The gentle giant—loved as Bapu and revered as the Mahatma—epitomised the philosophy of public service as one who gave up everything to be one among the huddled millions. Nearly a century later there is little evidence—in reel or real life—of the high moral ground once straddled by that generation.
The brazen parade of the Prada Prado set zipping across cities in cavalcades, appropriating security funded by public money is evidence that politics has since morphed into a largely self-serving enterprise. The pretense of khadi and Gandhian values went out of vogue with the Gandhi cap long before the Gucci generation stormed the political arena in the 1980s.
The transition is best described by Rajiv Gandhi who said at the Congress Centenary in Mumbai in 1985 that politics has been reduced to “brokers of power and influence, who dispense patronage to convert mass movement into feudal oligarchy”. Yes there are those who enter politics to serve the public cause but they are exceptions rather than the rule. Entering public life is now an investment of time and effort for dividends to be earned from political entrepreneurship. A joint study by HNN and EmpoweringIndia (an initiative of the Liberty Institute) of the reported assets of our elected representatives reveals a startling contrast between the rulers and the ruled.
In a country where over 77 per cent of the populace, or an estimated 836 million people, earn an income of Rs 20 per day and over 300 million are living below the poverty line, nearly half the Rajya Sabha members and nearly a third of those from the Lok Sabha are worth a crore and more. Just the top ten Rajya Sabha members and the top ten Lok Sabha members have reported a cumulative net asset worth Rs 1,500 crore. The 10 top losers in the last Lok Sabha polls—including Nyimthungo of Nagaland who reported total assets of Rs 9,005 crore —is Rs 9,329 crore. Members of legislative assemblies seem wealthier than many MPs. The top five MLAs across the 30 states are worth Rs 2,042 crore. Of these 150 crorepati MLAs, 59 don’t even have a PAN card.
And don’t look for a correlation between the state of the state and the wealth of the legislators. Uttar Pradesh boasts of the largest number of people—59 million or over a third of its population—living below the poverty line. Not only is Mayawati the richest chief minister in 30 states, the state also boasts of 113 crorepati MLAs. Similarly, Madhya Pradesh which has over 25 million of the 60 million people living below the poverty line boasts of 80 crorepati MLAs. The Marxists are the stark exception in this study too. The CPI(M) has 301 MLAs across 10 states but has only two MLAs with declared assets of over Rs 1 crore. Of the 537 candidates who contested on a CPI(M) ticket, only seven had assets of over Rs 1 crore, of which five lost in the elections.
As the old maxim goes, power begets power and money attracts riches. Clearly, it pays to be in power. Take the last round of Assembly elections which afforded the study an opportunity to compare the increase in wealth. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh where the BJP was in power, the average assets of candidates increased by five times.
In Karnataka too where the Congress ruled in rotation with Deve Gowda’s JD(S), Congress candidates reported a fivefold rise in their assets. Mercifully, wealth doesn’t always ensure success. In all, 365 crorepatis contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2004; 88 lost their deposits, and 114 came second.
Last December in Delhi the Congress learnt this important lesson again when they found that Congress candidates who lost in Delhi were on an average richer than those who won. But wealth clearly does matter, all other things being constant.
The caveat emptor here, as with all matters concerning transparency in public life, is that we are going by what the political class has chosen to declare. After all, the statement of assets filed by candidates is at best a confession of sorts mandated by two Supreme Court judgements of May 2002 and March 2003.
There are several gaps in the information available. Of the 542 Lok Sabha members, details of assets are available for only 522. Similarly in the Rajya Sabha, only 215 members have filed details of assets.
There is no institutional mechanism to cross-check facts, nor is there a requirement for candidates to declare the source of wealth, or the increase in wealth of candidates in subsequent declarations. In Mizoram for instance, none of the 10 top candidates have reported possessing a PAN card even though their wealth is in excess of Rs 1 crore.
What is worse is that although MPs who are ministers file annual statements of their assets, the information is not available to the public. This virtually negates the concept of scrutiny that would prevent misuse of position of power and enrichment. Indeed, what should be openly available is denied even under the Right to Information Act.
It is tragic that the Office of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh—who has been described as integrity personified—has been made party to this decision to deny the information. Again, while Central ministers are required to file a statement of assets, there is no such requirement for ministers in states.
The adulterous cohabitation of power and pelf is conspicuous across the political spectrum. The chasm between the declared and perceived reality is all too obvious to be missed. Contrast the wealth reported and wealthy lifestyles of those elected to high office.
Clearly the tip of the benami iceberg has not even been touched. In a country with a stark asymmetry in opportunities and ability, political power enables bending and twisting of policy, converting politics into the elevator politicians ride to reach the pot of gold. Living room conversations in middle and upper middle class homes are dotted with whose son, daughter or son-in-law is raking it in using the benami route to accumulate property and assets.
Television footage of currency notes being waved in Parliament during the last trust vote, the airborne campaigns witnessed during the polls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, money spent in fielding dummy candidates, funding of party offices, travel in Toyota SUVs costing over Rs 75 lakh each and private charters that politicians avail of to fly within the country are all pointers that are hard to ignore.
Bankers and brokers talk in not so hushed tones about the role of politicians in corporate scams. There is also speculation about the real beneficiary and benami ownership of at least two airlines, several real estate ventures, pharmaceutical units and infrastructure companies. The corporate concept of ‘sleeping partner’ has a whole new connotation in the political world. As long as the real incomes, wealth and funding of politicians remain opaque, governance will continue to suffer and democracy will be rendered more often on the liability side in the balance sheet of development.
Television footage of currency notes being waved in Parliament during the last trust vote, the airborne campaigns witnessed during the polls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, money spent in fielding dummy candidates, funding of party offices, travel in Toyota SUVs costing over Rs 75 lakh each and private charters that politicians avail of to fly within the country are all pointers that are hard to ignore.
Bankers and brokers talk in not so hushed tones about the role of politicians in corporate scams. There is also speculation about the real beneficiary and benami ownership of at least two airlines, several real estate ventures, pharmaceutical units and infrastructure companies. The corporate concept of ‘sleeping partner’ has a whole new connotation in the political world. As long as the real incomes, wealth and funding of politicians remain opaque, governance will continue to suffer and democracy will be rendered more often on the liability side in the balance sheet of development.
Wealth leadership
1. T. Subbarami Reddy
Indian National Congress
Rajya Sabha, Andhra Pradesh
Total Assets: Rs 239.6 cr
2. Jaya Bachchan
Samajwadi Party
Rajya Sabha, Uttar Pradesh
Total Assets: Rs 214.3 cr
3. Rahul Bajaj
Independent
Rajya Sabha, Maharashtra
Total Assets: Rs 190. 6 cr
4. Anil H. Lad
Indian National Congress
Rajya Sabha, Karnataka
Total Assets: Rs 175 cr
5. M. Krishnappa
Indian National Congress
MLA, Vijay Nagar, Karnataka
Total Assets: Rs 136 cr
6. MAM Ramaswamy
Janata Dal (Secular)
Rajya Sabha, Karnataka
Total Assets Rs 107.7 cr
7. Anand Singh
BJP
MLA, Vijayanagara, Karnataka
Total Assets: Rs 239 cr
8. Anil V. Salgaocar
Independent
MLA, Sanvordem, Goa
Total Assets: Rs 91.4 cr
9. N.A. Haris
Indian National Congress
MLA, Shanti Nagar, Karnataka
Total Assets: Rs 85.3 cr
10. Mahendra Mohan
Samajwadi Party
Rajya Sabha, Uttar Pradesh
Total Assets: Rs 85 cr
Money Wise: How Women Are Handling Recession
By M H Ahssan
How long do you think this recession will last? That's the question everyone has been asking. Experts are not very sure but they say that it is not going to go away in a hurry and, unfortunately, the worst is yet to come! This has ignited a lot of concern among working women, many of whom are seeing a downturn in their workplaces. This is unchartered territory for most and women are learning to negotiate it the hard way by tweaking their expenses and altering their lifestyles like never before.
India is one of the countries relatively less affected by the global economic crisis - economies in the West are already in recession - but millions of families here have acted quickly to slice their spending habits. Of course, leading the new conservative trend are women who, are more often than not, responsible for managing home finances. Many are putting on hold all spending that can wait.
In the new scenario, women are counseling paranoid husbands to be more cautious of new ventures. They are largely investing family money in good old bank deposits that are more dependable and putting off expensive vacation plans. Many are also trimming family spending by cutting down on entertainment, eating out and buying new clothes. There is also a greater care taken on avoiding the careless use of electricity and fuel.
Delhi-based Sridevi Sunderajan, 46, a public relations executive with an international NGO says, "With recession and jobs cuts, there is so much uncertainty about the immediate future. I have put a stop on any big buys. I had planned the renovation of my house, which is long pending and for which I have already saved up, but now I would rather wait. I am doing an audit of my family's expenditure to see where I can cut costs. I now look for cheaper options everywhere, though we are just a family of two."
Suddenly, the Indian middle class dream seems to have become just that, a dream. Every year, employees wait eagerly for their annual increments. Things are different this year. In fact, from small enterprises to the big guys, salary cuts are now the norm. Recently, a television channel's head wrote to the employees saying that the top management had agreed to take a 20 per cent cut in salary. The inference is that soon, they too would have to agree to a similar move.
Another effect of the crisis has been that women haven't got carried away with the year-end sales - something that is usually the highlight of the festive season and New Year. Financial discipline is a concept that many more are diligently following as they prepare for the tough days ahead.
Rajni Pradhan, 27, Senior Manager, Knight Frank, real estate consultants in Pune, has started using her landlines more than the cell phone. She has cut down on eating out, socializing, let go of the cook, got her husband to call his business associates home for dinner instead of entertaining them in restaurants, and so on. Her husband, Alok, had three mobile phones, two of which he hardly ever used but got billed for every month. Rajni has now got rid of the two phones. "It was not easy asking the cook to leave as it put additional burden on me, but we all have to learn to cope," she observes quietly.
It is not just at home that Rajni is battling the recession. At work, she ensures that computers are switched off when not in use. She has also taken on new job roles to hone her skills and, more importantly, to keep the specter of the pink slip at bay. Then there are the others small switchovers: Now, for instance, when she travels on work to Mumbai, she hops on to a bus or a train instead of the more convenient taxi.
Sulina Menon, 44, a media and brand consultant in New Delhi, is upset seeing so many of her friends losing their jobs, as downscaling takes place. She knows that it is only a matter of time before she too gets affected. As a freelancer, projects will be fewer and far-between in the months to come. "All of us will have to tighten our belts," she warns.
The Nielsen Online Global Consumer Survey conducted by Nielsen Consumer Research a couple of months ago in the United States with 28,663 Internet users showed that only 11 per cent of women felt that there would be an end to recession soon, as compared with 27 per cent of men. There has been no similar survey in India, but the situation here is no different. Women appeared to be more concerned and anxious than their male counterparts.
Another recent study by Cambridge University suggested that if there were more women in top power positions, the global financial crisis might have been less in scope and impact. Dr Gita Piramal, author of 'Managing Radical Change', would agree: "Thinking things through, being authentic, ready to get your hands dirty and get down to the frontline yourself, being nurturing and supportive, these are traditionally a woman's traits but they rise to the fore in a crisis situation."
Women are heralding subtle lifestyle changes and know that a salary cut is not far away. There is, however, no unnecessary panic. They know that all it takes to control a money crisis is to increase financial discipline, consult experts before making investment plans and upgrade skills so that they do not become redundant in the office.
Some like Sridevi are even exploiting the recession, making smart investments right now. She could not get any blue-chip company shares during the boom, so now she is getting her husband to research on what to buy as the prices are low.
How long do you think this recession will last? That's the question everyone has been asking. Experts are not very sure but they say that it is not going to go away in a hurry and, unfortunately, the worst is yet to come! This has ignited a lot of concern among working women, many of whom are seeing a downturn in their workplaces. This is unchartered territory for most and women are learning to negotiate it the hard way by tweaking their expenses and altering their lifestyles like never before.
India is one of the countries relatively less affected by the global economic crisis - economies in the West are already in recession - but millions of families here have acted quickly to slice their spending habits. Of course, leading the new conservative trend are women who, are more often than not, responsible for managing home finances. Many are putting on hold all spending that can wait.
In the new scenario, women are counseling paranoid husbands to be more cautious of new ventures. They are largely investing family money in good old bank deposits that are more dependable and putting off expensive vacation plans. Many are also trimming family spending by cutting down on entertainment, eating out and buying new clothes. There is also a greater care taken on avoiding the careless use of electricity and fuel.
Delhi-based Sridevi Sunderajan, 46, a public relations executive with an international NGO says, "With recession and jobs cuts, there is so much uncertainty about the immediate future. I have put a stop on any big buys. I had planned the renovation of my house, which is long pending and for which I have already saved up, but now I would rather wait. I am doing an audit of my family's expenditure to see where I can cut costs. I now look for cheaper options everywhere, though we are just a family of two."
Suddenly, the Indian middle class dream seems to have become just that, a dream. Every year, employees wait eagerly for their annual increments. Things are different this year. In fact, from small enterprises to the big guys, salary cuts are now the norm. Recently, a television channel's head wrote to the employees saying that the top management had agreed to take a 20 per cent cut in salary. The inference is that soon, they too would have to agree to a similar move.
Another effect of the crisis has been that women haven't got carried away with the year-end sales - something that is usually the highlight of the festive season and New Year. Financial discipline is a concept that many more are diligently following as they prepare for the tough days ahead.
Rajni Pradhan, 27, Senior Manager, Knight Frank, real estate consultants in Pune, has started using her landlines more than the cell phone. She has cut down on eating out, socializing, let go of the cook, got her husband to call his business associates home for dinner instead of entertaining them in restaurants, and so on. Her husband, Alok, had three mobile phones, two of which he hardly ever used but got billed for every month. Rajni has now got rid of the two phones. "It was not easy asking the cook to leave as it put additional burden on me, but we all have to learn to cope," she observes quietly.
It is not just at home that Rajni is battling the recession. At work, she ensures that computers are switched off when not in use. She has also taken on new job roles to hone her skills and, more importantly, to keep the specter of the pink slip at bay. Then there are the others small switchovers: Now, for instance, when she travels on work to Mumbai, she hops on to a bus or a train instead of the more convenient taxi.
Sulina Menon, 44, a media and brand consultant in New Delhi, is upset seeing so many of her friends losing their jobs, as downscaling takes place. She knows that it is only a matter of time before she too gets affected. As a freelancer, projects will be fewer and far-between in the months to come. "All of us will have to tighten our belts," she warns.
The Nielsen Online Global Consumer Survey conducted by Nielsen Consumer Research a couple of months ago in the United States with 28,663 Internet users showed that only 11 per cent of women felt that there would be an end to recession soon, as compared with 27 per cent of men. There has been no similar survey in India, but the situation here is no different. Women appeared to be more concerned and anxious than their male counterparts.
Another recent study by Cambridge University suggested that if there were more women in top power positions, the global financial crisis might have been less in scope and impact. Dr Gita Piramal, author of 'Managing Radical Change', would agree: "Thinking things through, being authentic, ready to get your hands dirty and get down to the frontline yourself, being nurturing and supportive, these are traditionally a woman's traits but they rise to the fore in a crisis situation."
Women are heralding subtle lifestyle changes and know that a salary cut is not far away. There is, however, no unnecessary panic. They know that all it takes to control a money crisis is to increase financial discipline, consult experts before making investment plans and upgrade skills so that they do not become redundant in the office.
Some like Sridevi are even exploiting the recession, making smart investments right now. She could not get any blue-chip company shares during the boom, so now she is getting her husband to research on what to buy as the prices are low.
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