American scientists have determined how important genuine laughter is and its impact on the weight loss process. A group of researchers from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee conducted an experiment that allowed them to accurately determine how much energy is expended during laughter.
As part of the study, 90 student volunteers were invited to participate in the experiment. Each of them was in a room resembling a standard hotel room with a television. Participants watched selected clips from movies that elicited emotional reactions. Instead of a television, a metabolic chamber equipped with devices to measure various parameters of the body's condition was used. The volume of inhaled oxygen, exhaled carbon dioxide, heart rate, and sounds made by the participants were recorded.
One of the key findings of the researchers was that during laughter, the body burns 20% more calories compared to a resting state. Active laughter was more frequently observed in men, while women exhibited greater restraint in expressing emotions, reports the portal “Healthy Eating.”
“We also wanted to find out what would happen if active laughter lasted for 10 or 15 minutes a day. As a result, we found that on average, up to 50 calories are burned, although the exact figures vary depending on body size and laughter intensity. With regular laughter, one can lose up to 2 kg a year. However, the laughter must be truly intense and loud,” noted Matej Bachovski, a professor at Vanderbilt University and the study's lead researcher.
This remarkable effect of laughter is explained by the fact that up to 80 groups of different muscles are involved in the process, making laughter a good physical exercise. Additionally, the researchers noted that during laughter, the level of endorphins in the blood increases, which positively affects the body's condition.
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