Sex is great. It feels good and it’s a wonderful way to connect to your partner.
But did you know that sex is super beneficial for your health?
We’ve compiled the top ten health reasons to get down to clown today!
1. It’s anti-ageing
Did you know having sex boosts the anti-ageing hormone DHEA?
In fact, a UK study of 60-somethings found they looked five to seven years younger if they were having regular sex, compared to those who weren’t.
2. Get a glow!
Along with its anti-ageing benefits, sweating during sex cleans out your pores, making your skin shine bright like a diamond, while also decreasing the risk of dry skin or dermatitis.
Get that post-sex skin glowing!
(Image: Getty)3. Memory booster
According to research by a psychology lecturer at the University of Wollongong, Mark Allen, people over the age of 50 who have regular sexual activity are more likely to have better memory retention.
Similarly, a study by McGill University in Canada claimed women in particular who have more sex have better memories due to the growth of the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls emotions, memory and sex.
4. Calorie burner
Getting frisky for just 20 minutes can burn as many calories as running on a treadmill for 15 minutes – which is almost 200, just so you know!
Need an excuse to have some fun tonight?
(Image: Getty)5. Staying well
So it turns out there’s evidence to suggest that people who get between the sheets at least once a week have stronger immune systems because of their higher levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that protects you from getting sick.
6. It’s joyful!
After an orgasm, your body releases a stress-reducing hormone called oxytocin, which will leave you feeling stress-free.
Plus, your body also releases more serotonin during sex – thanks to your increased heart rate – which is a key antidepressant.
Image: Getty
7. Prostate positive
An 18-year study by researchers at Harvard Medical School, among others, found men can reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer by 22 per cent, if they ejaculate at least 21 times a month.
That was compared to men who orgasm between four to seven times per month.
8. Better breath
Kissing your partner during a romantic rendezvous encourages your mouth to create saliva, which helps remove any debris from between your teeth, while also lowering its acidity levels.
Find someone to snuggle tonight!
(Image: Getty)9. Sex has heart
According to a study by Queen’s University in Belfast, having sex three times a week could halve a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Meanwhile, an Israeli study found women who orgasmed twice or more each week were 30 per cent less likely to have heart disease than women who didn’t.
Given heart disease is the single biggest killer of Australian women, this is definitely important to note – so jump into bed and protect those tickers, ladies!
10. Oh so sleepy
We all know lack of sleep can cause a whole heap of health problems – from diabetes to depression – so it’s important we’re all catching a healthy amount of ZZZs, which intercourse can help with.
Yes, getting sexy with your significant other releases feel-good brain chemicals, some of which we have mentioned: serotonin, oxytocin and prolactin.
Prolactin specifically is linked to sleep, so the more sex you have, the more prolactin you produce and the better you’ll sleep.
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