ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, November 5, 1996 TAG: 9611050056
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
Humor increases the body's flow of beneficial compounds, many of them with disease-preventing properties. Here are some facts about laughter:
* Children, on average, laugh about 400 times a day, adults only about 15 times. Scientists who study humor want to know why 385 laughs disappear.
* Laughing is aerobic, providing a workout for the diaphragm and increasing the body's ability to utilize oxygen.
* Laughter increases immunity to infections by instantly increasing a flood of disease-fighting cells and proteins into the blood.
* Brain wave activity changes when we catch the punch line of a joke.
* Frequent laughter helps control pain, lower blood pressure and relieve stress.
- Knight-Ridder/Tribune
LENGTH: Short : 25 linesby CNB