Want to shed weight ? Laugh a lot

New York, United States, January 13: People around the world are facing the worst epidemic ever, the obesity epidemic, and they do not have more choices in drugs to fight this growing global concern. Now, scientists have come up with a unique way to shed those extra pounds- Laugh a lot.

It is the craziest, strange but true, that intense laughing can help people fight weight-gain, according to a study by G.O.L.D. ("Go On Laugh Daily"), a British television channel that shows mainly classic BBC comedy programs.

The G.O.L.D. Daily Laughter Diet study led by Dr. Helen Pilcher formerly of London’s Institute of Psychiatry and her fellow researcher, Timandra Harkness reveals that laughing out loud for one hour can burn as much calories as are burnt by working out in the gym for half an hour.

Researchers believe that laughter gives the body a "mini aerobic workout," and claim that it has the same effect on our body as of aerobic exercise.

When we laugh, our heart starts beating faster and larger amounts of blood runs through our body. Furthermore, it makes the chest rise and fall, which in turn means that abdominal muscles have to work harder, which can help to tighten them.

“Laughter gets the heart beating faster and boosts blood flow,” said neuroscientist Pilcher, who also works as a comedian. “As you giggle and gasp for air, you breathe in more oxygen. The chest rises and falls and abdominal muscles get a good workout.”

Besides tightening the stomach muscles, a hearty laugh can strengthen the immune systemdefine, making a person much stronger to fight off various infections. It can even help the skin, by using up to 15 facial muscles, keeping them supple and the skin healthy and glowing.

One hour’s strong laughter can burn up to 100-120 calories and boost the energy a person uses by up to 20 percent, which is the equivalent of vacuuming for 40 minutes, walking for 15-20 minutes or doing 18-27 minutes of weightlifting, researchers have calculated.

Similarly, a daily half-hour dose of intense laughter- the equivalent of an episode of popular American comedy shows Friends or The Office - could help people lose more than 5lbs over the year.

Dr. Pilcher said, "We're not advocating you watch sitcoms 24 hours a day, but laughing away excess Christmas weight is a great way to stay in shape.

"But you've got to avoid the temptation of consuming extra calories whilst you are laughing - chomping on a Kit Kat or supping a quick half whilst watching your favorite sitcom."

The British Television channel UK Gold commissioned the G.O.L.D. Daily Laughter Diet Plan and research to mark their ‘January Extravaganza Bonanza’, where double episodes of the nations’ favorite comedy shows are screened every night at 9pm.