Comedy is 'as good as exercise'

Watching comedy can be as beneficial as physical exercise, another study has shown.

Scientists have confirmed that laughter has a benefit on mood, stress, immunity, blood pressure and cholesterol similar to repetitive exercise.

Volunteers in the new California study watched two 20-minute videos – the distressing opening scenes from Saving Private Ryan plus a clip from a stand-up routine or comedy movie.

The scientists then checked blood pressure and other indicators, including the appetite hormones, leptin and ghrelin, and recorded similar findings than after moderate physical exercise.

Dr Lee Berk, from Loma Linda University, who led the study on just 14 subjects, said: ‘The ultimate reality of this research is that laughter causes a wide variety of modulation, and that the body's response to repetitive laughter is similar to the effect of repetitive exercise.’

Two years ago, Dr Berk, pictured, found that laughter reduces potentially detrimental stress hormones; and he previously reported that it could help diabetics improve their cholesterol levels and possibly lower their risk of heart attack.

Published: 28 Apr 2010