Watching a horror film could burn off a whole bar of chocolate, according to new research released today.
Viewers who put themselves through 90 minutes of adrenaline-pumping terror can use up as much as 113 calories, close to the amount burned during a half-hour walk and the equivalent to a chocolate bar.
The movie top of the list of calorie-burners was found to be the 1980 psychological thriller The Shining, with the average viewer using up a whopping 184 calories.
Jaws took the runner-up spot, with viewers burning on average 161 calories, and The Exorcist came third, with 158 calories.
The University of Westminster study measured the total energy expenditure of ten different people as they watched a selection of frightening movies.
Scientists recorded their heart rate, oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output - and discovered the number of calories used increased by on average a third during the films.
The research also revealed films featuring moments designed to make viewers jump in terror are the best calorie-burners, as they cause heart rates to soar.
Dr Richard Mackenzie, senior lecturer and specialist in cell metabolism and physiology at the University of Westminster, said: "Each of the ten films tested set pulses racing, sparking an increase in the heart rate of the case studies.
"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, which is known to lower the appetite, increase the Basal Metabolic Rate and ultimately burn a higher level of calories."
Helen Cowley, editor of the movie rental company LOVEFiLM - which commissioned the University of Westminster study - said: "We all know the feeling of wanting to hide behind the sofa or grab a pillow when watching scary or hair raising scenes, but this research suggests that maybe those seeking to burn some calories should keep their eyes on the screen."
The top 10 calorie-burning frightening films were:
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
根据今天发布的最新研究,观看一部恐怖片让人消耗的热量相当于一根巧克力棒所含的热量。
看完90分钟恐怖片可以使人消耗多达113卡路里的热量,接近于散步半小时,或者一根巧克力棒所含的热量。
位居十大最能燃烧卡路里的恐怖片榜单之首的是1980年的心理惊悚片《闪灵》,平均每位观看者会消耗多达184卡路里的热量。
排在第二位的是《大白鲨》,观看者平均消耗161卡路里热量;排在第三的是《驱魔人》,平均消耗量为158卡路里。
这项研究由威斯敏斯特大学开展,评估了10名受访者在观看所挑选出的恐怖电影时的总能量消耗。
科学家记录了他们的心跳、摄氧量和二氧化碳排出量,发现在观看恐怖片时,受访者的卡路里消耗平均增加了三分之一。
研究还显示,设计有极度惊恐场景的电影消耗的热量最多,因为这能让观看者的心跳迅速加快。
理查德-麦肯齐博士说:“调查选用的十部恐怖片都会使人血脉贲张,使被调查者心跳加速。”麦肯齐博士是威斯敏斯特大学细胞代谢与生理学的高级讲师和专家。
“随着心跳加快、全身血流加快,体内肾上腺素水平也随之上升。”
“正是由于身体里释放出能迅速起效的肾上腺素,导致基础新陈代谢率上升,最终使身体燃烧掉更多的卡路里。人体突然感受到强烈压力(在该研究中是由于恐惧)暴发时会释放肾上腺素,肾上腺素也会使人降低食欲。”
委托开展该调查的电影租赁公司“爱情影片”的编辑海伦-考利说:“我们都曾有过看恐怖片时想躲到沙发后面或者抱住枕头的经历,但这项研究告诉我们,想减肥的人们应该盯紧屏幕。”
相关阅读：
英语口语培训
电话英语培训
外教一对一
