Sex is good! I guess we all know that.

But beyond the feel-good part of sex, scientists are also saying that sex has a way of making us feel younger, healthier, and subsequently, live longer.

In a report published in the journal PsyPost, scientists in California found that sexual intimacy is associated with longer telomeres.

Ordinarily, the way the telomeres work is this: they are the protective caps on our DNA, but they shorten as we age.

Scientists have, however, discovered that among those who have regular sex, the telomeres get elongated.

This is a welcome discovery!

The researchers asked 129 women, who were all in relationships, about their sexual activity over the course of one week, and examined their blood.

“Significantly” longer telomeres were found in women who reported having weekly sexual intimacy, the study states.

Lead researcher, Tomás Cabeza de Baca, of the University of California, calls telomeres “a biological index of systemic ageing and health.” They protect our chromosomes from fraying, and “maintain the integrity of DNA,” he said.

Tomás said: “Although normal life-course processes, such as ageing and cellular replication, shorten telomeres, sustained psychosocial stress accelerates this process.

“Over time, shortened telomeres may contribute to chronic degenerative diseases and premature mortality.

“Previous research has linked shorter telomeres with increased risk of disease, and argued it can be controlled to some extent by a healthy diet; and exercise — such as sex.