The BBC News Online reports that oxytocin-producing hugs benefit women's hearts more than men's. These are their actual blood-pumping hearts, not the metaphorical, emotional ones.
The study showed hugs increased levels of oxytocin, a "bonding" hormone, and reduced blood pressure - which cuts the risk of heart disease.
But, writing in Psychosomatic Medicine, the researchers said women recorded greater reductions in blood pressure than men after their hugs.
The University of North Carolina study, led by Karen Grewer, found elevated levels of oxytocin in both men and women. In women, they also found lower blood pressure and reduced levels of cortisol, a hormone produced in response to stress.
Men's higher levels of testosterone and vasopressin tend to reduce the effects of oxytocin, so it makes sense.
