Susannah Hickling
How sex could save your life
From burning calories to boosting your immune system, here are 5 ways scientists have found sex can enhance your health.
1. Sex protects your heart
Men who make love once a month have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease over men who have nookie at least twice a week.
2. Passion relieves pain
Your pain threshold can leap by up to 74 per cent as you reach orgasm.
3. Sex burns calories
It’s the equivalent of a 1km walk followed by a climb up two flights of stairs.
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4. Making love reduces stress
Volunteers who’d had intercourse were least stressed, with blood pressure returning to normal faster.
5. Intimacy boosts your immune system
Having sex once or twice a week may result in higher levels of an antibody called IgA, which protects against infections.