Sex at over 60 could help prevent dementia new study finds, here’s how

We all know that sex has many benefits to our bodies. It can help relieve stress and in general, it can make us feel happier as it releases dopamine. Sex is also a good form of exercise and of course, it can bring you closer to your partner.

A new study has found that having regular sex when you’re older can help prevent the development of dementia as it has a whole array of benefits for the elderly.

The study on sex and dementia in the elderly

As per The Sun, the study was led by Prof Shannon Shen, of Hope College, Michigan. Her team studied 1,683 Americans over 62 for five years.

The research team asked the elderly in the study how often they engaged in sex and how satisfying they found it. The team then ran tests to check their attention, memory, thinking speed and math skills.

Prof Shen then explained that the rush of ‘feel-good’ hormones dopamine as you reach climaxprotects the nerves linked to memory.

Read more: Dementia: These are the first symptoms of young onset dementia

Read more:

⋙ Dementia: Loss of appetite is a lesser-known symptom of this serious condition

⋙ Here's how many times you should have sex in a week for a healthy relationship

How sex can help the elderly

Dementia is one of the biggest killers in the UK as nearly one million Brits suffer from the disease, as reported by The Sun.

Prof Shen explains that since sex is a physical exercise, it seems normal that it will help cognitive performance as typical exercise is recommended, even for the elderly:

Sex is physical exercise and exercise is linked to better cognitive performance by increasing the blood flow in the brain.

Adding that it could be even more true for the elderly as they are less likely to be active:

This may be especially true at older ages because of high rates of sedentary behaviour, so any circulatory benefits from having sex may be important

She also explains that sex for the elderly can also improve their heart health as well as their overall happiness:

It has been shown to be beneficial for a variety of mental and physical health outcomes, including heart health, happiness and well-being.

Sources used:

The Sun: ‘SEX ON THE BRAIN Sex can help protect against dementia – here’s how much you’ll need to have’