Sex and Samosas?

Sex and Samosas?

Well, actually neither sex nor samosas have anything to do with one another—unless, of course, someone somewhere has a samosa fetish. It's just the complete fulfilling experience that is comparable—the filling up of every sense that leaves one replete for the moment but ready for more — at the right time and the right mood. The 'rightness' of it depends on the participants!

OK! Let's look at the samosa experience! 11 o'clock in the morning, it’s coffee or teatime! In comes a waft of freshly fried samosa—no perfume in the world could smell as tempting to an Indian nose! And there, before you, is a perfect, crisp, piping hot, golden-brown samosa. Boy! Take a load of that shape!! Reach out for it; go on…take a bite…ummm! The delectable filling is even more sensational than the crust! You dip it in the tangy sauce and greedily finish it off, each bite more delicious than the last, till, at last, it's over, leaving you satisfied and replete. Could anything be more sensuous?

Of course there are those who won't wait to appreciate the entire experience but just wolf the samosa down. And then there are those who don't like samosa at all… and this is completely in keeping with my analogy of sex and samosas! What is being said here, in short, is that sex, like samosas, is a therapy that engenders tremendous wellness.

Sexercise Therapy

Sex, in a loving and intimate relationship, has innumerable health benefits. Answer the following question truthfully:

Would you rather run 75 miles or have sex three times a week for one year? Research has shown that both the activities will burn approximately 7,500 calories. Many of us however, feel that anything that feels so good can't possibly be 'good' for us. But wait! Pause and think again! A staggering number of scientific studies have shown that sex and specially, sex leading to orgasm is good for you. The obvious physical benefits— the heavy breathing and the increased heart rate that occur during sexual arousal and orgasm— help to keep the tissues and organs healthier by circulating oxygen. And by the way, as an exercise it will burn off more calories per minute than playing tennis. During sex, the average person maintains the heart rate above 70% of the maximum. That really makes sex a wonderful workout and the longer it lasts, the better cardiovascular workout you get!

As a matter of fact, having sex three-four times a week will cut the risk of heart attack or stress in half! Although women also benefit in this manner too, in the case of men the results are well documented and clear. Not only that but in men sex encourages the flow of testosterone, which strengthens bones and muscles and helps transport DHEA, a hormone believed to be important in the functioning of the body's immune system. In women, the act triggers the release of oxytoxin. This promotes the feelings of affection and the nurturing instinct. Looks like for men, it's a win-win situation!

Intimacy not Promiscuity

It was in the 1950s that serious research on sexuality began in the US. Alfred Kinsey's famous Kinsey report detailed that sex reduces stress, and people who have fulfilling sexual lives are less anxious, violent and hostile. So, the twin benefits of regular exercise and a secure relationship, which leads to feeling happier, could not only lead to greater health but also a younger you! The point to note is that all these studies do not encourage promiscuous sex, the issue here being, not morality but intimacy. Intimacy plays a key role in the health benefits of sex. A promiscuous sexual relationship may, in fact, produce an opposite effect and introduce fear and anxiety. What's in it for women?

Hmmm! OK. Research done by Dr Winnifred Cutler, a specialist in behavioural endocrinology, indicates that women who have sex at least once a week are more likely to have normal menstrual cycles than women who have infrequent sex or are celibate. They have a healthy cardiovascular system, lower bad cholesterol; increase good cholesterol, increased bone density and supple skin. And if this were not enough, there is also evidence that estrogens are beneficial for brain functioning.

AND— Wait! I'm not done with the benefits of estrogen as yet! The vaginal tissues get suppler and it provides protection against osteoporosis and heart disease.

More…and more…and MORE!

So what more this multi-vitamin samosa does for a person's overall well being? Well, for one, you get an improved sense of smell! Yup, I did say smell. And here's how. Prolactin, a hormone produced after sex, stimulates the olfactory nerve, the centre for smell, increasing smell perception. You get better bladder control because the muscles used during sex are the same used in doing 'Kegel exercises', the alternate contraction and relaxation of perineal muscles for treatment of urinary incontinence. Incidentally, ‘Kegel exercises’ are good for men too.

There's more, lots more, and here it is… immediately upon orgasm, endorphins are released and these are natural pain relievers. Endorphins remain active in the body for several hours after the climax. So the next time you feel a headache coming on, don't go towards your medicine chest but reach for your partner instead! No more, “I have a headache, darling.” Make it: “I have a headache, darling. I need you.”

The moral of the story, dear readers, is that sex has wellness benefits throughout all our different stages of life. It's an activity that's important both for our health and our happiness. Sex therapists say that sex acts on the principle of 'use it or lose it', so when it feels so good and its benefits are numerous, what are you waiting for? JUST DO IT!