title: Apple consumption is related to better sexual quality of life in young women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests a potential relationship between regular daily apple consumption and better sexuality in our young women population.
authors: Department of Urology, Santa Chiara Regional Hospital, Largo Medaglie d'Oro, 9, Trento, Italy, ktommy@libero.it.
authors: Tommaso
authors: T
authors: Cai
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Gacci
authors: Fulvio
authors: F
authors: Mattivi
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Mondaini
authors: Serena
authors: S
authors: Migno
authors: Vieri
authors: V
authors: Boddi
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Gacci
authors: Beatrice
authors: B
authors: Detti
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Gontero
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Chiodini
authors: Liliana
authors: L
authors: Mereu
authors: Saverio
authors: S
authors: Tateo
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Mazzoli
authors: Gianni
authors: G
authors: Malossini
authors: Riccardo
authors: R
authors: Bartoletti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D027845:Malus; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019529:Sexuality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult