A sex expert has shared her response after a star from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives made a very NSFW claim about changing how she 'tastes'.
In one episode of the absolutely bonkers new Hulu series, we found out all about the 'fruity cereal incident' which Demi and Brett took part in.
Fellow Secret Lives stars Whitney and Mayci filled in Mikayla on the bizarre story prompting the latter to ask what exactly happened, to which Whitney mimicked oral sex by squatting over Mayci’s face while she laid down flat on the floor.
Then, when the show's producers asked Whitney what 'the fruity cereal' has to do with all of this, Whitney simply replied, "Taste."
Now, while we don't know what exact claim Whitney was making, there are a bunch of theories online about the cryptic tea-spilling, including buzz about certain food which can allegedly make your genitals 'taste' different and it made us wonder - is that actually true?
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Lifting the lid on the claim, sex therapist Dr Melissa Cook at FunWithFeet and Sofia Gray told Tyla all the info we needed to know about if it's actually possible to change the 'taste' of your vagina.
Why would someone want to change the 'taste' of their vagina?
Dr Cook says some people may feel they need to change the way their vagina tastes because of myths and what they’ve heard about what is 'supposed' to be pleasant during sex.
"Feeling insecure about your body/not being sure what’s normal can contribute to feeling like you need to change the taste of your vagina," she explained.
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However, the expert assured that every body is different and there’s no 'right' way for a vagina to taste.
"What matters most is feeling good about yourself and not trying to meet some unrealistic standard," Dr Cook advised.
Can you actually change the 'taste' of your vagina by eating certain foods or drink?
According to the sexpert, it’s believed that eating foods like pineapple can make things taste sweeter, but really, the effect is 'pretty small and doesn’t last long'.
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Dr Cook carried on: "The pH balance has more to do with the natural taste of a vagina, which comes down to health and hygiene, than any special foods."
In short, expecting a big change based on food isn’t realistic.
What food and drink can actually change the way your vagina 'tastes'?
Other than pineapple, there's apparently some 'anecdotal evidence' that other fresh citrus fruits may slightly 'alter the sweetness of vaginal secretions'.
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"At the same time, strong-tasting foods like garlic, onions, and asparagus could affect the scent or taste in a less desirable way," Dr Cook added.
"However, any changes are subtle and often overshadowed by the body’s natural balance."
What's the science behind this?
As we all should know by now, the vagina has its very own ecosystem.
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In this ecosystem, there's good bacteria that help maintain a balanced pH, which ranges from acidic to neutral.
"This balance determines the natural taste and odour of vaginal fluids," Dr Cool explains.
So, while diet can influence bodily secretions, it is the 'overall health' of this system, not specific foods, that plays 'the biggest role'.
"Inserting non-medical objects or foods can disrupt this delicate balance, increasing the risk of infections rather than improving taste," the expert warns.
How do such claims impact the body positivity movement?
Above anything else, it's important to embrace body positivity and understand that everyone’s body is different.
Dr Cook tells us: "Trying to change your body’s natural state to meet external expectations can lead to feelings of shame and discomfort.
"Instead, focus on communication with your partner about what feels good for you both."
Healthy, consensual sexual experiences should be about pleasure, connection, and mutual respect - not about trying to fit into an unrealistic ideal.
You can watch The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Disney and Hulu now.
Topics: Food and Drink, Health, Sex and Relationships, TV And Film, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Disney Plus
Rhiannon Ingle