Racing heartbeats, tightening muscles and chills up the spine – these are some of the effects one experiences when watching a horror movie.
Many love the thrill and goosebumps of it all. And while many also regret going into it, the challenge of “conquering” the fear keeps them seated and in it till the end.
If you’re a horror film lover, watching one is already a gratifying experience. But for those who are still on the fence about it, here’s a carrot – there has been research suggesting that watching horror flicks helps in burning calories.
Now it is just a matter of verifying whether this bit of information is true... or not.
Verdict:
MOSTLY TRUE
A group of specialists in cell metabolism and physiology at London's Westminster University found that films with the most suspense and startling, scary moments were most likely to help burn calories.
Physiologically, as the pulse quickens, blood pumps through the body faster and a surge of adrenaline increases the basal metabolic rate and burns calories, they say.
In fact, the study shows that watching a 90-minute horror movie can burn close to 200 calories, which is equivalent to the amount burned through a 30-minute walk or light workout. (Picture a small chocolate bar as calorific reference.)
A senior lecturer and specialist in cell metabolism and physiology at the university said 10 films tested set pulses racing, sparking an increase in the heart rate of the case study subjects.
“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,” he said.
While the study was neither peer-reviewed nor formally published, it offers quasi-scientific justification to watch a horror flick.
The top 10 energy-burning, scary movies according to the study include Paranormal Activity, Saw, The Exorcist, The Shining, Nightmare on Elm Street and even Jaws.
Which do you think topped the list with burning almost 200 calories?
References:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/oct/29/horror-movies-help-burn-calories
https://sportsmedicineweekly.com/blog/the-shocking-truth-scary-movies-burn-calories/
https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/watching-scary-movie-can-burn-many-calories-going-run
