Watching 90 minutes of adrenaline-pumping terror can use up as much as 113 calories, close to the amount burned during a half-hour walk and the equivalent to a chocolate bar.

A study at the U.K.'s University of Westminster (yes, sometimes they do study such things) measured the total energy expenditure of 10 people as they watched a selection of frightening movies. Scientists recorded their heart rate, oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output - and discovered the number of calories used increased by a third on average during the films.

The research also revealed films featuring moments designed to make viewers jump in terror are the best calorie-burners, as they cause heart rates to soar.

The top calorie burners:

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

Read more from the Telegraph.

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