Health & Sex
Sexual health: 5 benefits of sex that positively impact your health and longevity
The more research that is done on sexual health, the clearer it becomes that a healthy sex life can help increase life expectancy and improve overall health. From a healthy heart to a strengthened immune system, sex offers many benefits for a long and healthy life.
Here are 5 health benefits of sex that can impact a longer lifespan.
1. sex strengthens the immune system
2. sex reduces pain
3. sex burns calories
4. sex reduces stress and lowers blood pressure
5. sex reduces the risk of heart disease
1. sex strengthens the immune system
According to a study from Wilkes University, people who had sex once or twice a week had higher levels of the antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA) than those who had sex less frequently than once a week. "IgA is the first line of defense against colds and flu," says Carl Charnetski, one of the Wilkes study researchers.
2. sex reduces pain
Sex can cure headaches and reduce physical pain. During sex, the hormone oxytocin is released in your body. Oxytocin reduces pain. A study in the journal Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine perfectly illustrates how oxytocin works in our bodies: Volunteers who inhaled oxytocin vapor and then pricked their fingers felt half as much pain as others who didn't inhale oxytocin.
3. sex burns calories
Sex increases blood flow and makes the heart beat faster. Simply put, sex is a form of physical activity and is more fun for many than going for a jog. However, it is important to know that sex does not burn many calories. A study from 2016 found that men burn an average of about 100 calories per hour during sex, while women burn about 69 calories per hour.
4. sex reduces stress and lowers blood pressure.
Another benefit of the oxytocin released during orgasm is that it reduces Oxytocin is the calming of nerves. Studies on laboratory mice have shown that oxytocin counteracts the effects of cortisol, a stress hormone. Oxytocin not only calms, but also specifically promotes sleep.
5. sex reduces the risk of heart disease
Numerous studies have shown that an active sex life is closely correlated with a longer life. In particular, sex appears to reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other heart diseases, according to a study from the New England Research Institute shows.
