A h earty laugh a day may keep the
doctor away, say the findings of a unique study. Whereas previous studies have examined how negative emotions can adversely
affect our health, this study took a new spin--they measured the affect of watching a funny movie on the ability of heart
blood vessels to expand. And they found some surprising results--laughing increased blood flow as much as a 15- to 30-minute
workout. The ability of blood vessels
to expand is known as vasodilation. Poor vasodilation means that passageways may be blocked and blood flow may be cut off.
The result is an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. In the study, 20 healthy men and
women watched clips of two movies--a violent battle scene from "Saving Private Ryan" or a humorous scene from a comedy such
as "Kingpin." Each participant's vasodilation was measured prior to the movie and again afterward. The
results were "dramatic." Of the 20 participants who saw the stressful film, 14 had significantly reduced blood flow. However,
after watching the funny film, 19 of the 20 volunteers had significantly increased blood flow. Specifically:
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Blood flow decreased by about 35 percent after experiencing
stress
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Blood flow increased by 22 percent after laughing, which
is equivalent to what happens after a 15- to 30-minute workout
Past studies have found that stress hormones
like adrenalin and cortisol, which is released when a person is stressed, may harm the body by suppressing the immune system
and constricting blood vessels. On the other hand, the researchers believe laughing causes the body to release beneficial
chemicals called endorphins, which may counteract the effects of stress hormones and cause blood vessels to dilate. In a similar manner, laughing may also boost the immune system and reduce inflammation, which is thought to
increase the risk of various health problems. The researchers say they have a long way to
go before their hypothesis will be proven, but they point out that there's no downside to laughing and they have no problem
recommending it to their patients.
LAUGH YOUR WAY TO NORMAL BLOOD SUGARS
People with type 2 diabetes may be better able
to process sugar from meals if they laugh, according to a small study. Researchers found that diabetics
who watched a comedy show had a smaller rise in post-meal blood sugar than when they listed to a non-humorous lecture. The
effect occurred in people without diabetes as well. Stress is known to raise the risk of
elevated blood sugar, and poorly controlled blood sugar can increase the risk of diabetes complications such as heart disease,
kidney failure and blindness. Past studies have found that positive emotions such as laughter
may lower blood pressure, release endorphins, improve circulation, stimulate the nervous system, heighten the immune system
and strengthen the heart. In the current study, researchers measured the blood glucose levels
of 19 diabetics and five non-diabetics before and after they ate the same meal, on two separate days. On
one of the days, participants listened to a 40-minute "monotonous" lecture, while on the other day they sat in the audience
of a Japanese comedy show. Most participants reported that they had laughed well during the comedy show. In
both diabetics and non-diabetics, post-meal blood glucose levels were higher after the lecture than after the comedy show.
Researchers are not certain why laughter appears to reduce blood sugar, but suggested that it might
increase the consumption of energy by using the abdominal muscles, or might affect the neuroendocrine system, which controls
glucose levels in the blood.
