Ladies and gentlemen, unless you’ve been living under a rock or are just too busy with life, you know that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Dinner reservations are made, romantic getaways are finalized, and gifts are bought, all in the attempt to spend a romantic day with our significant others and to show our love. And, to consummate our feelings for one another, we end up making love. What goes by the wayside when it comes to making love is that calories are burned. But how many calories are actually burned? Let’s unveil the reality!
A new study published by The New England Journal of Medicine concluded that, the average man (weighing around 154 lbs.) burns 3.5 calories per minute during sex, or 210 calories per hour. They also state that the average bout of sexual activity lasts 6 minutes, so the average guy will burn roughly 21 calories during sex. This is equivalent to about an hour of fishing, an hour of hitting golf balls at a driving range or an hour of moderate housework. So, are you going to get that summer body from sex alone? Probably not.
However, the other health benefits are numerous. Research from the University of the West of Scotland reveals that people who had intercourse at least once over two weeks were better able to manage stressful situations. Sex is also able to help you sleep better at night. This is because the same endorphins that help you de-stress can also relax you both physically and mentally. Sex can also help minimize pain. A study conducted at the Headache Clinic at Southern Illinois University found that half of female migraine sufferers reported relief after the big O. People who have sex were also found to have higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA). These antibodies help combat diseases and keep the body safe from colds and flu.
So you may not necessarily lose weight and get that beach body with sex alone, but the other health benefits abound. Plus, let’s be honest, you aren’t having sex for health benefits. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day with your loved one and be healthy!
Comments