Next time somebody razzes you for slumping on the sofa and watching movies instead of going out for a stroll, point them to a recent study that insists watching horror movies is actually good for your health – they can help you lose a whole bunch of calories.
That’s right: studies undertaken at the University of Westminster in the UK revealed that a single scary movie can help you to lose about as many calories as a small chocolate bar. Which means that a Halloween weekend jam-packed with ten or fifteen horror flicks might serve you better than a trip to the gym. That’s what you can tell people, anyway, when they call you fat and lazy.
The study revealed that certain “jump moments” increase the heart-rate significantly. Dr. Richard Mackenzie, a senior lecturer in cell metabolism at the University, said:
“As the pulse quickens and blood pumps around the body faster, the body experiences a surge in adrenaline. It is this release of fast-acting adrenaline, produced during short bursts of intense stress (or in this case, brought on by fear), which is known to lower the appetite, increase the basal metabolic rate and ultimately burn a higher level of calories.”
They even ranked the top 10 movies that’ll help you lose the most calories, with The Shining making it to the top of the list. Here were the results:
1. The Shining: 184 calories
2. Jaws: 161 calories
3. The Exorcist: 158 calories
4. Alien: 152 calories
5. Saw: 133 calories
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street: 118 calories
7. Paranormal Activity: 111 calories
8. The Blair Witch Project: 105 calories
9. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 107 calories
10. [Rec]: 101 calories
So, the lesson is, watch an unholy amount of horror movies this Halloween and stuff your face like an animal with all the delicious treats you can find. Things will just… equal themselves out, apparently.
Thanks, science!
Source: The Guardian
