Sex is good for you

With Debbie Simon

“Sex is natural – sex is good. Not everybody does it. But everybody should.”

George Michael was on to something back in 1987. Sex isn’t just fun and games, it’s also good for you, providing benefits ranging from stress release to boosting your immune system. We’ve rounded up some of the top reasons sex is just as effective as the proverbial apple at keeping your doctor away:

Fewer colds: According to researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, people who are sexually active tend to have higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin, which helps combat diseases and keep the body safe from colds and flu.

 Lower blood pressure: A number of studies have documented a link between sexual intercourse (not masturbation) and lower systolic blood pressure. Of course, sex can’t take the place of blood-pressure lowering drugs to control high blood pressure, but it can be a fun way to help said drugs do their job.

Lower risk for heart attack: Having regular sex isn’t a guarantee against a heart attack, but sexual activity does help keep your hormones in check, which can lower your chances of developing conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis. A study of 1,000 men published in 2010 showed that men who had sex at least twice a week were 45-percent less likely to develop life-threatening heart conditions than men who had sex once a month or less.

Fountain of youth?: Another study, this one by the Royal Edinburgh Hospital in Scotland, showed that individuals who have regular sex — four times a week on average — were perceived to be seven to 12 years younger than their actual age. All that nooky promotes the release of hormones like estrogen, we has been shown to promote soft skin and shiny hair. 

Pain relief: Why pop an ibuprofen when you can hit the sheets instead? The endorphins released during sex are similar in structure to opiates and have the same feel-good affect by occupying morphine receptors in the brain.

Improved bladder control: Incontine nce is something that will affect approximately 30 percent of women at some point in their lives. Sex, like the much-vaunted Kegels exercises, is a workout for your pelvic floor muscles. When you orgasm, those muscles contract, strengthening them and leading to better bladder control.

Lower risk of prostate cancer: Research has shown that men who ejaculate frequently (at least 21 times a month) are less likely to get prostate cancer. Most sources caution that other factors may have contributed to those results, but they also agree getting off more often can only help.