BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Watching a good comedy could be as effective as going for a run in boosting health, according to groundbreaking research that links laughter to the healthy function of the blood vessels.
Watching a good comedy could be as effective as going for a run in boosting health.
In a study published in the journal Heart, researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center asked 20 healthy young adults to watch 15-to-30-minute segments of funny films such as "There's Something About Mary", along with sad films, including the opening scene of "Saving Private Ryan".
The researchers then measured blood flow in the brachial artery, which runs from the shoulder to the elbow, and is a good indicator of blood flow around the body.
They found that brachial artery blood flow was reduced in 14 of the 20 participants after watching movie clips that caused distress, and increased in 19 out of the 20 after wathing movie clips that elicited laughter.
The finding adds to evidence that a laugh a day may help keep a heart attack away.
"The old saying that laughter is the best medicine definitely appears to be true when it comes to protecting your heart," said Michael Miller, the leading researcher, who has studied the healing power of laughter for a decade.
"Watching a good comedy can benefit us in the similiar way we see with aerobic activity, but without the aches, pains and muscle tension associated with exercise," Dr. Miller said.
Judy Goldblum-Carlton, a humour therapist at Maryland University, said: "When you laugh heartily, every organ is being massaged including your heart, lungs and digestive system. Headaches can just go away." Enditem
(Agencies)
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