Sex gives us pleasurable sensation and it makes us feel good. In addition to reproductive purposes, there are many health benefits of having sex. One of the least known benefits of sex, it’s good for the heart.
One recent study1 published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine supports it. In this study, researchers find that having sex several times a week is beneficial for heart health in men.
Why Sex Is Good For Men’s Heart?
It is thought that men who often have sex have better blood circulation and healthier blood vessels. The researchers say that having sex several times a week can reduce levels of homocysteine, which is a harmful chemical in the blood that can cause heart problems.
Increased sexual frequency could have a protective effect on general health and quality of life—especially in men—so doctors should support patients’ sexual activity.
Although the chemical homocysteine is a vital building block of proteins, excess levels of it is thought to cause damage to blood vessels supplying the heart. This increases the risk of forming a blood clot.
Hence, even though this chemical occurs naturally in the body, its levels can potentially increase due to unhealthy and poor diet. In a 2015 review of scientific data2, researchers find that excess level of homocysteine increases up to 66% risk of death from heart disease.
In a different study3 researchers find this is more noticeable in elderly people. Additionally, experts at Boston University4 find that it also increases risk of stroke.
Excess levels of homocysteine is also linked to other diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s5. Fortunately, in addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle, having sex several times a week can help lower the excess levels of homocysteine.
The researchers behind this recent study encourage doctors to recommend to male patients with risk of heart disease to engage in having more sex.
What About Women?
Unfortunately, for women, this mechanism does not provide much benefit because women’s sexual arousal is dependent healthy blood flow. However, women don’t get disappointed, as long as you stick to a healthy diet, sex is just as beneficial for you, too.
Keep in mind that quality sex is a factor for happiness. Although, not all will agree to this but many couples who have solid sexual relationship and connection are happy. Moreover, one study6 finds quality and partnered sex promote cardiovascular health in women.
We find that for women, partnered sex of good quality seems to promote cardiovascular health, specifically reducing the risks of hypertension. Although growing evidence suggests that women are especially vulnerable to cardiovascular problems from poor relationship quality or marital loss, our results show the positive side, with benefits to women’s cardiovascular health from a rewarding sexual relationship.
Additionally, practicing mindfulness is also helpful in improving the quality of sex. Combine it with an healthy diet like the Mediterranean-type diet and eating aphrodisiac foods are smart choices in achieving a healthy heart.