Apples: the new female Viagra?

An apple a day....does what? Photography Getty Images

A new study has found your sex life can be boosted by an apple a day.

Yep, experts have discovered the humble orchard fruit does more than keep the doctor away: it can also heighten sexual pleasure, stimulating blood flow to the vagina like chocolate and red wine.

The Italian study, published in the Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, looked at the sex lives of 731 women and found those who ate between one and two apples a day had better sex lives.

Researchers asked the women - with no other sexual problems - to complete a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire measuring sexual function, sexual frequency, orgasm, lubrication and overall sexual satisfaction.

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The women, aged 18 to 43, were separated into two sections - one group who never ate apples and another who enjoyed between one and two apples a day.

The results showed an apple a day is associated with higher FSFI scores in sexually active female patients, increasing their lubrication and overall sexual function.

So why apples?

One reason researchers found was that apples contain polyphenols and antioxidants – like those found in red wine and chocolate - which can stimulate blood flow to the vagina, boosting arousal.

Apples are also high in phloridzin, which is similar to the female sex hormone estradiol, which plays a huge role in vaginal lubrication and female sexuality.

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