THERE is nothing more likely to increase interest and sales in a product than the boast that it will improve your sex life.

The papers only have to mention that this fruit has aphrodisiac qualities or that root vegetable can perk up your relationship and the supermarket shelves are stripped bare by suckers believing the hype.

Good grief, I could even claim that reading this column on a weekly basis will make you more attractive to the opposite sex, but I can't see it putting on sales of the Echo.

During the first series of TV's You Are What You Eat, Dr Gillian McKeith told viewers that eating pumpkin seeds could turn you into a love god or goddess.

Within days, you couldn't walk past a desk at this place without seeing pumpkins seeds spilling out of half kilo bags.

In fact, I'm positive these so-called energisers have been single-handedly responsible for the recent plethora of pregnancies at the Echo.

Chocolate, whole grains, truffles, oysters, asparagus, vodka with caviar and green oats are renowned for having aphrodisiac qualities and doubtless I'll be trampled underfoot at Tesco later today as gullible blokes stock up their trollies with ingredients for a pleasant night in.

But you can always try the new Mars Venus Supershake, a slimming drink devised by a British medical adviser, along with Dr John Gray, author of the best-selling book Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.

I haven't read the book myself, but I could have told him many years ago that my wife thinks the two of us should be living on different planets.

The drink - basically a flavoured powder mixed with milk - has a male and female version.

The men's drink is said to boost levels of dopamine, a brain chemical associated with excitement, motivation and passion.

The women's version claims to increase levels of serotonin, a chemical that produces feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

(Well, anything cheaper than a diamond ring or a Mercedes SLK has got my vote.)

However, the makers don't advise that you mix the drinks up. Presumably, drinking the wrong version will just make your wife go shopping while you search desperately for someone to play at golf.

Will I be trying it?

Well, whatever you hear from my wife, I have no need for any artificial stimulants.

In fact, I have my very own perk-me-up that I am currently taking once a day.

Since I started trying it last week, I have felt happy, passionate, satisfied and I laugh a great deal.

Perhaps you should all get a copy of my video of the Arsenal-Manchester United game from last week...

First published: February 7