ERECTIONS ∙ 2 minute read

Could coffee heat up your sex life?

By Kirsty Mason | Medically reviewed by Dr Luke Pratsides

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.

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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.

The numan take

Aside from being downright delicious, there are lots of benefits to drinking coffee. Rich in antioxidants, research has indicated that coffee could have beneficial qualities when it comes to erectile dysfunction.

The drink of the Olympians, it increases stamina and leads to a more energetic workout. Even just the smell of coffee could reduce stress so without further ado, let’s brew it.

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