The real joke, it turns out, is on those who laugh least, and it’s not very funny. The Scientific American reports on a University of Maryland study that found that laughter increases blood flow in the body, and is very likely a good thing for heart health. Cardiologist Michael Miller and colleagues looked at the blood flow in 20 healthy men and women after they watched clips of the comedy movies Kingpin and There’s Something About Mary and a stressful film, the opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan. The researchers found that while laughing, 19 of the subjects increased healthy blood flow
by an average of 22 percent. And comparing the amused and stressful
states brought on by film clips, more than 50 percent more blood flowed
when laughing.
Bottom line: being light-hearted boosted blood flow about the same amount as light exercise or drugs that lower cholesterol. Read more in the Scientific American.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Friday, May 9, 2025
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