Recent study provided statistical base to the common saying ‘laughter is the best medicine’. Researchers found that half hour of hearty laughter can do wonders for the health. Half hour of laughter daily can reduce levels of stress hormones and compounds that are linked to heart disease.

Research team analyzed data collected from 20 men and women taking medication for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Study subjects were prescribed "mirthful laughter" in the form of 30 min of comedy every day along usual medication.

Data analysis showed that there was drop in stress hormone levels in the comedy viewers after two months. Levels of compounds linked to hardening of the arteries and other cardiac problems had also dropped after four months. Moreover there was 26% percent increase in levels of "good" cholesterol in comedy viewers as compared to 3% increase in patients only taking medication. 

There was 66 % drop in harmful C-reactive proteins, which increase the risk of heart disease in comedy viewers.

Lead researcher Dr Lee Berk said: "The best clinicians understand that there is an intrinsic physiological intervention brought about by positive emotions such as mirthful laughter, optimism and hope."