When it comes to movies, some people delight in watching spine-chilling horror films. Surprisingly, apart from containing a few scares, horror movies may also offer an unexpected __1__. According to a study, watching 90 minutes of a scary movie can burn an average of 113 calories, which is roughly __2__ to taking a 30-minute walk.
Researchers from the University of Westminster carried out an experiment in which they __3__ participants’ oxygen intake, carbon dioxide output, and heart rates while they were watching horror movies without any distractions. The results revealed that physiological responses to fear play a crucial role in calorie burn. When people are faced with frightening __4__, the body’s fight-or-flight response comes into play. In this state, their pulse quickens, their blood __5__ faster around the body, and their body releases adrenaline. This rush of adrenaline reduces one’s appetite, increases metabolism, and burns more calories.
The research even __6__ the horror films based on the number of calories burned during the experiment. The Shining topped the list at an impressive 184 calories, followed by Jaws at 161 calories, and The Exorcist at 158 calories.
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提到電影，有些人以看令人毛骨悚然的恐怖片為樂。令人驚訝的是，恐怖片除了內含一些驚嚇，可能還有一個令人意外的益處。根據一項研究，看九十分鐘的恐怖片平均可以燃燒一百一十三卡路里，大約等於走三十分鐘的路。
西敏寺大學的研究員進行了一項實驗，他們測量受試者在沒有任何干擾下看恐怖片時的攝氧量、呼出的二氧化碳量以及心率。結果顯示，對於恐懼的生理反應在燃燒卡路里方面扮演重要的一角。當人們面對可怕的場景時，身體的戰鬥或逃跑反應便會作用。在這樣的狀態下，他們的心跳會加快、血液會更快速地輸送到全身，身體也會釋放腎上腺素。這樣的腎上腺素激增會讓人降低食慾、提升新陳代謝並燃燒更多卡路里。
該研究甚至根據實驗中所燃燒的卡路里量來為這些恐怖片排名。《鬼店》以燃燒驚人的一百八十四卡路里位居第一，《大白鯊》以一百六十一卡路里緊接在後，然後是《大法師》的一百五十八卡路里。
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Words in Use
1. calorie n. 卡路里（熱量單位，一千卡路里等於一大卡，英文縮寫為 kcal）
Desserts are delicious but filled with calories.
甜食很美味卻充滿熱量。
2. delight vi. & vt.（使）快樂
delight in... 以……為樂
I like to take care of plants and delight in watching them grow.
我喜歡照顧植物，看它們成長茁壯很快樂。
3. experiment n. 實驗
carry out / do / conduct an experiment 進行實驗
A team of researchers will carry out an experiment to test the new hypothesis.
一組研究員將進行實驗來測試那個新假設。
Practical Phrases
1. frighten. . . away / frighten away. . . 嚇跑∕驅離…
The loud noise frightened the birds away from the garden.
大聲的噪音把花園裡的鳥兒嚇跑了。
2. apart from. . . 除了…之外
Apart from riding the rides, people at the festival can also enjoy local snacks.
除了搭遊樂設施，參與該節慶的人還能品嚐當地小吃。
3. come into play 起作用，產生影響
New government regulations will come into play next month.
新的政府規定下個月會生效。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
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本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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