Sex can stop a cold and diabetes?

I have found an interesting article on the newspaper and I want to share with you guys. However, this article is only for our knowledge and please don't make this article as a reason for you guys in doing sex.

1. Longer life
Sex is associated with good health and a longer life as a survey done by the American Association Of Retired Persons. Almost half of over-50s (44%) described their health as excellent or very good when they had intercourse at least once a week. Having sex in your 50s can slash the risk of prostate cancer. It could be due to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) which floods the body during sex and surges on orgasm.
Bloodstream levels of this hormone are five times higher than normal when sexual pleasure peaks. DHEA has been shown to be beneficial in fighting reduced insulin response and middle-age spread.

2. Blood pressure
In the heat of the hump, sex increases blood pressure but in the long run it reduces it which can decrease the risk of stroke. A study done by Biological Psychology proved that regular sex lowers diastolic blood pressure. Satisfying sex also increases output of the chemical transmitter dopamine, which improves relaxation and counteracts stress hormones associated with hypertension.

3. Combats diabetes
The exercise and calorie burning benefits of sex help reduce Type 2 diabetes risk. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that DHEA improves insulin action. It also combats central obesity.

4. Heart boost
Men who have sex less than once a month are twice as likely to have a fatal heart attack than men who make love at least twice a week. Sun GP Dr Carol Cooper says: “Sex is great for the cardiovascular system but how much you get out depends on how much effort you put in. Because it boosts circulation, sex increases the supply of oxygen to cells and stimulates the activity of various organs and systems within the body. Erectile dysfunction can also indicate cardiovascular problems.

5. Weight control
Sun fitness expert Nicki Waterman says: “Just 30 minutes of sex will burn around 200 calories, so if you have sex five days a week, that’s equivalent to two-and-a-half hours in the gym. For best results, women can hop on top because this will help firm their thighs and tone their belly.” An orgasm can burn 60-100 calories, 30 minutes of snogging will blitz 90 calories. And orgasms release both enkephalins and dopamine. These feel-good body chemicals help to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol which is associated with weight gain, particularly around the tummy. Women lost 10.2 per cent of their abdominal fat and men lost 7.4 per cent.

6. Self-defence
A healthy sex life will help keep colds at bay. Making love raises the levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) which is the frontline of the body’s immune system, according to scientists at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, US.

7. Banishes headaches
IT might be the most tried-and-tested excuse to avoid having sex, but it seems a headache can disappear after you have a good romp. Orgasms release oxytocin and endorphins, natural chemicals which reduce pain.

8. Heal thyself
Oxytocin — known as the bonding chemical is responsible for that warm glow that comes after good sex. It can also help heal wounds. Studies show that high levels of oxytocin damp down inflammation-causing chemicals and speed up healing by as much as 25 per cent.

9. Sleep tight
When oxytoxin is being released by satisfying sex, it acts as nature’s nightcap. Men are the most susceptible to this hormone which is why they generally fall asleep within two-to-five minutes after sex and women take 20-to-25 minutes to nod off.

Adapted from http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/health/article2367860.ece