A scary movie's quite all fright
BUG-BUSTER: Plan to spend Halloween watching a scary movie? A frightening flick could help you fight off those nasty winter bugs.
In an experiment, researchers at Coventry University reviewed people watching horror movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
They found viewers’ white blood cell levels increased. These are associated with fighting infection meaning immune systems got a boost.
Other boffins have found that watching scary flicks like The Shining could burn nearly 200 calories a time, by increasing heart rate.
There’s a reason we can’t get enough of monster movies according to Mark Griffiths, a professor of behavioural addiction at Nottingham Trent University, who reckons we get a psychological boost. BODY BONUS: We love to tuck into some of the dark stuff at Halloween and studies show that even milk chocolate has some benefits.
A study from Scotland found eating as much as two bars a day can cut the risk of getting heart disease or a stroke. Of course pumpkins are traditional at Halloween – but think about eating them too. Scoop out the insides to make a soup or indulge in some pumpkin pie.
The beta-carotene in the flesh can give you a boost of vitamin A – brilliant for keeping your eyes in top order. Pumpkins are packed with vitamin C to help battle winter colds.
Oh, and if you’re apple bobbing don’t forget to eat the fruit – they’re linked to reducing cancer risk.
TREATS WITHOUT TRICKS: Not all Halloween treats have to be a horror for your waistline. Swap sweets for marshmallows, which tend to have less sugar content.
You could also serve up popcorn, too, which is rich in fibre.
Try Lidl’s Grim Green apple flavour popcorn which has lower levels of calories and fat than their Halloween-themed crisps.
This year, Asda are doing pumpkin crumpets which come in toasted at only 95 calories a time.
McVitie’s Devilish Teacakes are another good choice, coming in at 78 calories each.
Soreen chocolate and blood orange loaves, made from malt, are a healthier alternative to cake, slashing the calorie and fat levels.
In fact, a slice has a quarter of the calories found in a single Krispy Kreme Creepy Cobweb doughnut.
WITCHY BREWS: Far from being a horror for your body, beer has been linked with lots of health benefits.
It contains boron which is good for your bones, as well as silica, a mineral vital for strong hair and nails.
Beer raises levels of good cholesterol, while a pint a day can even lower blood pressure.
There are plenty of speciality ales around for Halloween including Sadler’s Worcester Sorcerer at Lidl, as well as creepy Dunkel Fester and the Hobgoblin range at Aldi.
Don’t forget the vino too – red wine is full of anti-ageing antioxidants.
Low-calorie wine is all the rage too. Try Black Tower’s B range, just 5.5 per cent ABV and 55 calories per 125ml glass.
GET SEXORCISED: It’s the most popular night for one-night stands.
One poll found 66% of women reckoned Halloween was a sexy event.
Getting horny for the night could certainly pay off for your health.
Sex has been shown to lower the risk of a heart attack and burn up to 350 calories an hour.