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An occasional red wine can spice up your sex life, research suggests.
According to a review of dozens of studies, men who drink one or two drinks a day have a lower risk of erectile dysfunction, while women seem to have a higher libido.
The researchers say that plant compounds in red wine can improve blood flow, increase testosterone and stimulate sexual organs.
“The evidence gathered to date has shown that red wine, when consumed in moderation, can potentially be beneficial for patients with erectile dysfunction,” the researchers wrote in the review, published earlier this month in the journal Journal of Clinical Medicine.
A review published earlier this month in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that drinking moderate amounts of red wine could improve sexual function in both men and women
They highlighted the polyphenols as the driving force behind wine’s sex-enhancing effects.
The compound is found in plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, tea, dark chocolate and red wine.
Flavonoids make up the majority of polyphenols. These are in red wine, but also in apples, onions, dark chocolate and red cabbage.
Polyphenols also act as antioxidants, compounds that prevent oxidation in the body. Oxidation produces unstable chemicals called free radicals that destroy cells.
Antioxidants therefore play a role in preventing various ailments, such as heart disease and certain cancers.
“It can be concluded that the antioxidant properties of polyphenols in red wine appear to be beneficial to the reproductive system,” the review authors wrote.
In the case of erectile dysfunction – the inability to maintain an erection – the antioxidant properties of polyphenols in red wine may improve vascular health. This means increased blood flow to the penis, which is crucial for maintaining an erection.
The researchers also suggested that red wine may boost testosterone, a primary driver of sexual desire, as well as male fertility.
The team reviewed dozens of studies conducted between 1993 and 2022 on both men and women of different age groups and demographics. Many topics included health effects on oxidative stress, vascular health, heart health, hormone balance and testosterone levels.
Others compared red wine to other alcoholic beverages, including beer, and found that red wine was more effective for sexual health.
For women, the review team pointed to a study of nearly 800 women in Italy. The results showed that women who drank red wine moderately had more sexual desire than women who drank less than one glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage per day.
They also found more vaginal lubrication, a hallmark of better sexual function.
The review builds on previous research into the effect of moderate drinking on sexual health.
A Study from 2016 of researchers from Harvard University and the University of East Anglia in the UK evaluated 50,000 healthy middle-aged men over the course of 40 years. They found that men who regularly enjoyed a glass of red wine, as well as some citrus fruits and berries, were nine to eleven percent less likely to develop erectile dysfunction.
A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women who regularly consumed moderate amounts of red wine had greater sexual desire and stronger sexual function than women who did not drink.
Other research has shown that red wine increases testosterone in both men and women, which increases desire.
The findings come after the World Health Organization (WHO) warned in January that no amount of alcohol is safe.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting alcohol intake to two drinks or less for men and one drink or less for women.
The researchers cautioned that more research is needed to determine more specific effects of polyphenols on sexual function.