Their blood pressure was immediately recorded and checked 10 minutes later to gauge how they had recovered from their ordeal.
Professor Brody discovered that men and women who had made love in the previous two weeks had the lowest rise in blood pressure during the stress test.
But those who had been engaged in other sexual activities were found to have higher blood pressure than the first group.
He believes his findings strengthen the belief that sex is good for the heart, body and mind.
However, Professor Brody warned that couples who stop at foreplay could be unwittingly undoing all their good work.
He found that men and women who engage in other "activities" without actually having sex have blood pressure levels that are the same as a couple who have not recently slipped between the sheets.
It means their blood pressure is around 14 mm Hg higher than a man and woman who have made love.
Professor Brody, who presented his findings to the British Psychological Society's Scottish conference, said, "There are many forms of sexual activity, but none carry the same health benefits as intercourse between a man and a woman.
"If they engage in any activities and do not have sex, they will be undoing the benefits.
"Of course, men and women who have foreplay and go on to have intercourse will enjoy the benefits."
Source: Daily Mail (London). Powered by Yellowbrix.
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