Abstract
Introduction
Even if some evidence exists of a positive correlation between regular intake of phytoestrogens, polyphenols, antioxidants and women’s sexual health, there is not a study addressing the potential correlation between daily apple consumption and women’s sexual function. We aim to assess whether there is a tie between daily apple intake and sexual function in a sample of healthy young sexually active Italian women, not complaining of any sexual disorders.
Materials and methods
Seven hundred and thirty-one women (mean age 31.9, range 18–43) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study (from September 2011 to April 2012). All participants completed anonymously the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and were asked to report on their amount of daily apple consumption and their eating habits. On the basis of apple consumption all women were split into two groups: Group A––regular daily apple consumption, Group B––no regular apple consumption (<1 apple/day). The main outcome measure was the FSFI questionnaire result.
Results
Three hundred and forty-three women reported a regular daily apple intake and were classified in Group A, while 388 were included in Group B. Group A had a significantly higher total (p = 0.001; Cohen’s d = 3.39) and lubrication domain (p = 0.001; Cohen’s d = 3.02) FSFI scores than participants in Group B. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that daily apple intake must be considered as an independent parameter (p = 0.002) in predicting a better score at questionnaire examination.
Discussion
This study suggests a potential relationship between regular daily apple consumption and better sexuality in our young women population.
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Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all Santa Chiara Hospital, Careggi Hospital Urology Unit, Careggi Hospital Radiation Therapy, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit members for their assistance and to Professor John Denton for manuscript language revision. Moreover, we would like to dedicate this work to the memory of Professor Frank Belloni.
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The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Cai, T., Gacci, M., Mattivi, F. et al. Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women. Arch Gynecol Obstet 290, 93–98 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3168-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3168-x