According to recent studies from the United States published in the February 2006 issue of the Heart Journal, watching humorous movies can improve heart function by enhancing blood circulation.
Scientists have found evidence indicating that laughter helps the heart pump more effectively by increasing blood flow in the arteries.
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| Laughter helps the heart pump more effectively by increasing blood circulation in the arteries (Photo: VNN) |
Researchers in the United States studied 20 healthy young adults, averaging 33 years of age, who did not smoke. They were shown clips lasting from 15 to 30 minutes that were either sad or humorous, and they watched them multiple times for a total duration of at least 48 hours.
Participants were instructed not to consume alcohol, vitamins, herbal supplements, or engage in aerobic exercise the night before the experiment, as these factors could affect blood circulation.
In total, 160 measurements were taken of blood flow in the upper arm artery (brachial artery) before and one minute after viewing the sad or funny clips. The brachial artery, which runs from the shoulder to the elbow, is considered a clear indicator of blood circulation levels.
Researchers noted that blood flow in this artery decreased for 14 out of the 20 participants after watching the sad clips. However, blood flow increased for 19 out of the 20 participants after watching the funny clips that made them laugh.
The researchers stated that the difference in blood circulation levels between responses to sad and humorous stimuli exceeded 50%.
Recent studies have shown that stress factors, such as depression and anger, can contribute to heart disease. However, until now, there have been few studies examining the effects of joyful and optimistic emotions on heart health.
Dr. Michael Miller, a heart disease expert at the University of Maryland Medical Center, stated: “The impact of watching a sad movie is comparable to the level of stress experienced when recalling angry situations or doing mental arithmetic. The effect of watching a humorous film is equivalent to a session of aerobic exercise or taking statin heart medication.”
