The principle behind honey's aphrodisiac properties and the truth about why older men don't need to abstain from sex to preserve their sperm count.

4. Honey. Natural honey contains a large number of plant male reproductive cells, including an endocrine substance similar to human pituitary hormones, which has significant biological activity in activating the gonads. Furthermore, the sugars in natural honey are easily absorbed by the body, which is very beneficial for sperm formation. In Turkey, Israel, and many Arab countries, khwa, made with sesame and honey, is a typical aphrodisiac; ancient Babylonian women used it to increase sexual attractiveness and restore men's energy after sex.

Nutritional analysis shows that honey contains approximately 35% glucose and 40% fructose, both of which can be directly absorbed and utilized by the human body without digestion. Honey also contains various inorganic salts with concentrations similar to those in human blood serum, as well as certain amounts of vitamins B1, B2, and B6, and minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium. Honey contains amylase, lipase, and invertase, making it one of the foods richest in enzymes. Enzymes are promoters that aid in digestion, absorption, and a series of metabolic and chemical changes in the human body. With its fragrant and delicious aroma, honey is not only a nourishing and longevity-promoting food, but also a valuable medicinal herb.

**White hair and youthful appearance do not require abstinence to preserve essence.**

Time flies, and life is full of hardships. After decades of trials and tribulations, Mr. Zhang, now in his seventies, was introduced to a 62-year-old widow from a neighboring village by a chance acquaintance. The woman had been widowed since marrying into the village. After her husband passed away, she lived alone, destitute and without support. Although she received care from the village's "Five Guarantees" program, she was not free to make her own way in life, and her livelihood was difficult. The two fell in love at first sight and quickly entered into a "twilight romance." After several months of dating, the two elderly people went to register their marriage. People reacted with mixed emotions: some praised and laughed, while others scorned and mocked. However, both young and old have the right to pursue love and happiness.

As people age, they often feel ashamed to talk about sex. Many practical problems encountered in their sex life are difficult to discuss, thus adding to their worries and troubles. In fact, older adults can still enjoy a fulfilling sex life in their later years.

The vast majority of elderly people can maintain their sex life until they are over 70 years old, with some energetic individuals continuing until around 80, and even a few reaching the advanced age of 90. This is a normal physiological need and not shameful. According to relevant medical reports, even at 90 years old, a man's testicles can still produce some sperm. A survey of the sexual function of 146 urban retirees in Jiangxi Province found that among men aged 65-70, only a small percentage had no sexual desire, indicating that their sexual function does not quickly decline with age. What declines with age is reproductive function, but reproductive function and sexual function are two different things.

Many elderly people mistakenly believe that abstinence and preserving sperm count can prolong life. As a result, many stop having sex as soon as they reach their sixties. Modern medicine believes that prolonged abstinence in the elderly can lead to loss of sexual function. This is because abstinence disrupts the body's balance, reduces the secretion of sex hormones, and suppresses sexual instincts. The accumulated sexual desires cannot be released, which can harm both the mind and body.

Domestic and international studies have shown that the aging and mortality rates of abstinent individuals are more than 30% higher than those with regular sexual activity. Normal use of sexual organs can slow down the decline of sexual function and maintain normal sex hormone secretion. Prolonged disuse will cause sexual organs to degenerate and atrophy, rendering them unusable.

In terms of timing, sexual activity during youth and middle age typically takes place after going to bed at night, but this time may not be suitable for the elderly. Older adults are prone to fatigue; after a day's activities, watching television in the evening can leave them feeling exhausted, making it difficult to maintain an interest in sex. Therefore, sexual activity for the elderly should ideally take place after a night's sleep or before waking up in the morning. Of course, this depends on individual circumstances. Sexologists believe that older adults don't need to limit themselves to the evening; they can engage in sexual activity whenever sexual urges arise, provided their living environment permits.

In terms of frequency, it should be based on the man's physical capacity. The ancient text *Su Nu Jing* states: "A man of twenty years old should ejaculate once every four days; a man of thirty, once every eight days; a man of forty, once every sixteen days; a man of fifty, once every twenty days. This is the proper way." Therefore, referring to these numbers, men aged 60-65 should ejaculate once every 2-3 weeks; men aged 65-70 should ejaculate once every 4-6 weeks. Those in good physical condition can appropriately shorten the time and increase the frequency according to their sexual desire. Ultimately, the key is to achieve sexual satisfaction afterward without feeling fatigued or uncomfortable.

In addition, older adults should pay attention to the following aspects when engaging in sexual activity:

Intensity: As people age, movements should not be fast or vigorous, but rather gentle and slow; the duration should also be short.

Position: The side position is best, as it can save energy; if you feel uncomfortable in your head or have dizziness or headache, you should stop having sex, lie down and rest, and drink some tea.

Diet: Do not drink alcohol, eat too much or drink too much water before sexual intercourse, and empty your bladder before sexual intercourse.

To prevent accidents: Control your emotions, avoid excessive excitement and hasty actions, and proceed slowly.

Good cooperation is crucial for the sexual life of elderly couples. Especially during foreplay and intercourse, they should avoid awkwardness and instead show affection and consideration for each other to ensure a harmonious sex life. If the man experiences slow or weak erections, or even premature ejaculation, the woman should be understanding and avoid complaining, as this will only increase the man's psychological burden and lead to further sexual failure. Therefore, if a temporary obstacle occurs, the man should not panic. He can pause intercourse, rest for a while, and then cultivate the right mood and resume intercourse when sexual arousal returns.

Sexual activity is closely linked to longevity. First, moderate sexual activity can enhance the psychological well-being of the elderly, providing them with mental strength and thus boosting their vitality and self-confidence. While the elderly often feel distressed and insecure about losing their youth, each instance of sexual activity can allow them to relive the passion of their youth, generating renewed energy and confidence, which is beneficial for their longevity.

Looking at the world's centenarians, most have enjoyed many years of normal married life, growing old together, with many couples even reaching 100 years old. Statistics also show that after the natural cessation of sexual activity, elderly men typically live for about 10 years, and women for about 13 years. Therefore, physiologists have concluded that elderly men and women with spouses live longer than those without spouses, and those with harmonious sexual lives live longer than those without or with disharmonious sexual lives.

Secondly, since the elderly have left their jobs and have much less contact with society, they often feel lonely, isolated, and empty. Moderate sexual activity can enrich the lives of elderly couples. This mutual affection and love can also give many elderly people a lot of vitality.

However, sexual activity should not be excessive for the elderly, as excessive indulgence in sex in old age is entirely detrimental. Excessive sexual activity often leads to multiple illnesses and rarely results in longevity. During sexual activity, the mind is in a state of high excitement, and a series of physiological changes occur simultaneously, such as increased blood pressure, faster breathing and heart rate, and increased muscle tension. This is undoubtedly a significant mental and physical activity for the elderly. Therefore, elderly people with hypertension should be cautious about sexual activity, while those with coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction should strictly limit their sexual activity.