Visiting an art gallery and enjoying the works on display can reduce the risk of heart disease and even strengthen the immune system.
The study is the first of its kind, the authors say.
A person who goes to a art gallery you feel good, calm, satisfied by the paintings – or other types of art – that you are going to analyze and appreciate.
What you probably don’t know is that that same person, by being in the art gallery looking at paintings, is improving their health, preventing the future.
A new study shows that visiting an art gallery and appreciating the works on display can reduce the risk of heart disease and even strengthen the immune system.
Reducing health risks can be related to any leisure activity, an activity that gives pleasure.
Cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), They are basically related to every disease known to man.
They play a fundamental role in stimulating wound healing, and can also prevent the appearance of new injuries.
O cortisol, stress hormone, prepares the body for risk. A hormonal state of stress triggers an increase in IL-6, TNF-α and other cytokines in certain circumstances.
Thus, reducing stress reduces inflammation, and inflammation reduces physiological degradation.
In this study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, study participants went to see the collections at the Courtauld Gallery in London. The researchers measured physiological responses.
Cardiac data was obtained using a continuous heart rate monitor, which also recorded skin temperature.
Saliva samples were collected before and after 20 minutes of observation, explains .
Compared to viewing replicas of the same painting in an environment outside of a gallery, the Cortisol fell by an average of 22% for those who saw the original paintings – and just came down 8% for those who have seen the false works.
IL-6 levels dropped by 30% and TNF-α levels by 28%. Both are associated with stress and various chronic diseases. In the other group, which it was not in the art gallery, there were no changes.
This suggests that the art has a potential calming effect on the body’s inflammatory responses.
“Stress hormones and inflammatory markers like cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are linked to a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to anxiety and depression,” researcher Tony Woods.
“The fact that viewing original works of art reduced these markers suggests that cultural experiences can play a real role in protecting the mind and body”, continues the expert.
The study brings a much broader message: remember to stop and appreciate things every now and then – it could save your life.
