Ask Bonnie

If you are already eating your fruits and vegetables, exercising and taking your vitamins, you might ask what more you can do for your health. One answer might please you: Have more sex.

While the impact of sexual activity on health is not a major topic of research, a handful of studies suggest that sex can be good for you. So consider these potential fringe benefits the next time the opportunity for (safe) sex arises:

Erotic Exercise Even though sex probably burns fewer calories than most aerobic exercise, it can be a workout, depending on how vigorous it is. After all, sex, and particularly sex with orgasm, involves the contraction of muscles in the arms, legs and abdomen. Also, similar to when you hit the gym or play a pick-up game, your heart and breathing rates increase.

On the flip side, regular exercise may rev up your sex life. Since sex requires some stamina, it appears that people who are physically fit may be more likely to have satisfying sex than people who simply shift from their office chair to their couch. Regular exercise may make sex better because it improves muscle tone, cardiovascular fitness and mental health.

A Happy Heart

In a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, British researchers examined whether sex affected the heart health of about 900 middle-aged men. They found that over 10 years, men who had sex twice or more a week had a lower risk of heart attack than men who had sex less often. The findings suggest that sex offers a cardiovascular boost - though it’s also possible that men who are already in better physical health simply have more sex.