We all knew having a good laugh makes us feel better physically, emotionally and sometimes, socially.

Laughter oftentimes breaks the ice between two acquiantances, instantly forming a bond between them. Laughter is also sadness’ greatest enemy.

But most people do not know the effects of laughter in ourselves. So, what do laughter really do to us?

Laughter makes the blood go around our bodies easier. In a research of the University of Maryland, they segragated people into two groups, one will watch drama while the other comedy. After wathing the movie, those who watched comedy have normal blood pressure and they blood vessels expanding and contracting easily. On the other hand, those who watched drama had tense blood vessels which restrict blood flow.

For diabetic patients, laughter is beneficial. In a study with 19 people with diabetes, they found out that those who watched comedy have lower blood levels and at the same time happier!

It also makes bodies slender! A researcher names Maciej Buchowski from Vanderbilt University studied the effect of laughter in burning calories. He found out that 50 calories are burned after 10-15 minutes of laughter. That is an equivalent of a serving of pineapple and boiled cauliflower!

“I believe that if people can get more laughter in their lives, they are a lot better off… They might be healtier too!” Steve Wilson, M.A., CSP, a psychologist and laugh therapist said.