Prostate cancer affects nearly 50,000 people each year in the UK and kills just under 10,000. To avoid developing the disease, doctors recommend a healthy, regular, and balanced diet, exercise, and regular screening. But researchers at Harvard and Boston universities seem to have found another way to reduce the risk: ejaculate!
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To reach this conclusion, the scientists observed the sexual habits of 32,000 men over a period of eighteen years. Their findings, published in European Urology in 2016, indicate that those with the highest rate of ejaculation were also those who were least likely to develop prostate cancer. The report said:
We found that men who reported higher ejaculation frequency scores in adulthood were less likely to be subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer. This large prospective study provides the strongest evidence to date of a beneficial role for ejaculation in prostate cancer prevention.
And the magic number is…
The researchers even managed to establish the ideal number of ejaculations per month to reduce the risk: 21. Apparently, 21 ejaculations per month could reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 33%, as it would allow toxins to be flushed out of the body. But if you want to make sure you stay healthy, the researchers say good nutrition is the key…
Masturbation, a good anti-stress ally
Apart from reducing the risk of cancer, when you masturbate, your brain secretes endorphins. This neuropeptide helps reduce stress. Good news for insomniacs too, as endorphins not only help you sleep but also fight against headaches!
So don't hesitate, and treat yourself. But be careful not to fall into compulsive masturbation.