Okay, so there’s nothing remotely funny about that joke. But neither is there anything particularly amusing about this somewhat heavy statistic, bringing with it an increased risk in heart ache – and not the kind Adele is wont to warble on about. Fortunately, however, there is a very laughable solution to this growing problem.
In a study published in the journal Diabetes Care, subjects were fed a 2000kJ meal with 80g of carbs – roughly equivalent to a bowl of pasta. After the meal, half of the participants watched a 40-minute comedy show, while the rest endured a dry lecture.
When tested, the comedy-viewing crowd displayed “ameliorated postprandial glucose excursion”, which is a humourless way of saying they avoided the blood-sugar spikes that often lead to increased fat storage.
There are two theories as to why this might work. The contractions in your abs during a hearty chuckle could be boosting glucose uptake by your muscles. But it’s also possible that positive emotions trigger changes in the neuroendocrine system, which is what keeps your blood-sugar levels on lockdown.
Either way, supplementing your next abs session with a set of LOLs this season could be the easiest way to win the battle against fat. Enjoy the last laugh.
