How often should we have sex to slow down aging? If this research is to be believed, the answer is…
Intimate relationships bring many benefits, from burning calories and strengthening the immune system, to a closer bond between the couple. In addition, dopamine is also released in the brain during intercourse. So if relationships help you feel younger, it's not just a show in your head. A study conducted in 2017, published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology, showed that sex does help to slow down aging.
The researchers found that having sex at least once a week was actually associated with longer telomeres. These are the protective caps on our DNA that determine the lifespan of the cell. Longer telomeres are associated with slower cellular aging and longer life expectancy. Individual factors shorten the length of telomeres, including poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and the natural aging process.
In the research, they monitored the sex life of 129 mothers. Women reported daily on their relationship satisfaction and how often they were intimate with their partners. The researchers also took blood samples from the women and analyzed the cells for indicators of aging. They found that women who had sex with their partners every week had longer telomeres compared to those who did not. Of course, this kind of study only shows the connection between sexual activity and telomere length, while additional research would be needed to scientifically confirm this.
Sexual relations (does not) affect happiness in a relationship
While there is no magic formula for couples' sexual happiness, a 2017 study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior looked at how often couples have sex. Based on data from 1989 to 2014, the study found that the average adult has sex 54 times a year - about once a week.
Another study, published in Social Psychological and Personality Science, looked at more than 30,000 Americans over 40 years. However, the researchers found that couples who had sex more than once a week were no happier than those who only had sex once a week.
In general, it is important for couples to maintain an intimate connection with their partner. But you don't have to have sex every day to maintain that connection.
