According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Westminster found that the increased heart rate that results from watching a horror movie burns the same amount of calories as a half-hour walk.

Dr. Richard Mackenzie from University of Westminster’s explains the discovery:

"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."

Based on the new findings the average number of calories burned by watching a 90-minute horror movie is 113. The study also found that some movies, particularly those with regular "jump-scare" moments, result in a substantially greater loss. Below are the top 10 horror movies for burning calories:

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 Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 107 calories
9 ) The Blair Witch Project: 105 calories
10 ) [Rec]: 101 calories

Guess our parents were wrong after all. Horror movies really are good for you.

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