Art relieves constipation, lowers blood pressure

[emad]

STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Viewing and discussing art not only soothes the soul, it also helps cure ills like high blood pressure and constipation.

Swedish researcher Britt-Maj Wikstroem of the Ersta Skoendal University College in Stockholm had 20 women of around 80 years of age gather once a week for four months to discuss different works of art.

"The result was positive. Their attitudes became more positive, more creative, their blood pressure went in the right direction ... and they used fewer laxatives," she told AFP on Friday.

A control group of 20 women who met to discuss their hobbies and interests once a week instead of art did not experience the same effects, she pointed out.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051014/od_afp/afplifestylearthealthoffbeat_051014141429;_ylt=AmNpMvR9pUGtgI7l8ROaEMWgOrgF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[emad]

1. Jackson Pollock once worked wonders for me in the same way

as a chicken vindaloo with a double helping of madras curry sauce...

[SteppingRazor]

2. I'm not ready to ascribe a causal relationship between...

art talk and better health here, though. It seems the results could have been due to a variety of other factors.

[sui generis]

3. absolutely

especially since canvas is very high fiber and nibbling on the occasional wood sculpture will keep your roughage pretty high too.

Then there's the whole category of vegetable art:



:evilgrin:

[TalkingDog]

4. I'm using this as a selling point for my art.

"I know my work is pricey, but think of what you'll save on meds and laxitives."

[Verve]

5. new art motto: ART, It's Good For the Bowels. n/t

[Missy M]

6. I'm sorry but the study results sound ridiculous. How could there be a

difference being discussing works of art than discussing their hobbies and interests. No more blood pressure medicine or laxatives, just trips to the local art gallery and your bowels will start working again. If only it were true.

[emad]

7. Perhaps you have never experienced the UK's Tracy Emin, or

Damien Hirst?

[Missy M]

10. I took a look at both artists work and I agree you wouldn't need...

laxatives anymore but you might need larger doses of high blood pressure medicine.

[enki23]

12. maybe they're walking around more than the knitters

.

[papau]

8. Now I know what is lacking in my life!

:toast:

:-)

[JitterbugPerfume]

9. In the elderly

viewing and discussing art could very well have this affect

It is relaxing, stimulating, and interactive

all at the same time

[Spinzonner]

11. This sounds like a load of ...

well, you know