What would win out for you?
In BREAKING news today, a study has been released where Aussie mums were forced to make a decision no person should have to. Coffee or sex?
The study, coming from Seven Mile Coffee Roasters, found that mums were willing to sacrifice wine (33%), a night out (28%) or chocolate (24%) for their morning coffee. One in 10 (11%) would even give up sex.
It begs the question – why are we so obsessed with coffee that it would get in the way of frisky time with the hubby?
Well, let’s be honest, mothers are more tired than ever. Between looking after their families, working their way up the career ladder and getting in a sweet workout – it makes sense they’re so likely to reach for a coffee rather than another workout (in the bedroom that is).
Caffeine, the active ingredient in coffee is a stimulant that can help with mental sharpness and provide enough buzz to get through the daily list.
In fact, accredited practicing dietitian, Joel Feren says, “The caffeine in coffee can delay fatigue and give us a mental boost. Caffeine’s mode of operation is to block an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, therefore acting as a stimulant. This action serves to increase the production of noradrenaline and dopamine, which helps to increase alertness and reaction time.”
Yes, that’s why you are able to catch all the balls being thrown at you in the lead up to school drop off. Braid hair? No worries. Healthy porridge? Check.
Coffee also appears to be good for your longer-term brain health.
“Coffee appears to be better than tea in reducing the risk of dementia in the elderly. Studies have shown that regularly drinking 3-5 cups of coffee can reduce one’s risk of developing dementia by a whopping 65%,” Feren adds.
Another recent study also found that morning coffee before your gym session increases fat burning. How can we say no to that?
However, like all things you need to keep your coffee orders in moderation. Feren says that the daily intake of caffeine for a healthy adult should not exceed 400 milligrams. One espresso has around 110 milligrams of caffeine, while percolated coffee can contain up to 240 milligrams in the same amount (250mL).
That averages out to around two coffees a day – three at max.
On the other hand though, having some intimate time with your significant other is also extremely beneficial for you – whether that’s physically, mentally or spiritually.
“Some experts say that 30 minutes of vigorous sex is comparable to 15 minutes on a treadmill or walking up two flights of stairs, and burns between 360 and 835 kilojoules,” says sex and relationships therapist Dr Gabrielle Morrissey.
“Sex involves our circulatory, nervous and muscular systems and brains, so it’s a tune-up and workout of everything that’s important.”
So – while it’s interesting to see where Aussie women’s priorities lie, we would say – why can’t we have both?
Coffee lovers, rejoice!
As if we didn’t need another reason to chug 10 cups of coffee a day, research has revealed that coffee might actually be the secret ingredient for good sex.
For those of us who spend more time huddled by the kettle than we do at our desks, this is a welcome addition to the benefits of coffee.
But what does the evidence actually show?
Let’s break it down.
1. Coffee could reduce erectile dysfunction
A study by the University of Texas Health Science Center suggested that coffee drinkers were less likely to experience erectile dysfunction. But unfortunately for the chain-chuggers, the number of coffees you drink per day has a sweet spot – and it’s not related to how much sugar you take. They found that people who drank the equivalent of 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day were less likely to report erectile dysfunction, but the association was weaker when participants drank more than 3 cups a day.
Guzzling coffee in the morning doesn’t just give you a caffeine fix, you’ll get a hit of antioxidants too. Antioxidants are thought to improve blood flow, which is an important function when it comes to erectile dysfunction.
2. Coffee increases stamina
When you think of exercise, what springs to mind? Running? Cycling? Swimming?
What about sex?
Even though this workout doesn’t get an online Zoom class (most of the time), we can all vouch for needing a bit of stamina when it gets frisky in the bedroom. Caffeine has been found to enhance exercise performance, improve attention, and decrease fatigue. Its benefits have not gone unnoticed by elite athletes, with 75% consuming caffeine before participating in sport. So when you want to do THAT kind of workout, don’t shy away from a cuppa.
3. Coffee aroma potentially reduces stress
Less stress, better sex. Research on rats found that all it took was the aroma of coffee to reduce stress. Stress, anxiety and tiredness lead to a decreased libido – the recipe for less sex and more erectile dysfunction. Prolonged stress can also lead to biological changes in the body, including a drop in testosterone levels. Testosterone is a key sex hormone and a deficiency in the hormone can reduce sex drive and lead to erectile dysfunction. You can get your testosterone levels measured with a simple blood test.
Although the aroma can be tempting, be careful not to drink too much coffee, as too much caffeine has been linked to increased anxiety.
4. Coffee increases sexual desire
Ok, this one’s up for debate as there’s little evidence to prove any aphrodisiac qualities. However, the above points, along with simply feeling awake enough to participate in some frolicking, makes coffee a great contender for pre-sex activity juice.