HOAX ALERT: Staring at breasts prolongs men’s life? No scientific proof yet!

A story claiming that staring at women’s breasts is healthy and also elongates the life span of men is a hoax dating back to 2011.

The story, which was reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, has been circulating on social media, generating different reactions.

NAN quoted Karen Weatherby, a supposed German scientist, as the author of the research and stated that the “study was published in the new England Journal of Medicine”.

“The study, which was carried out over a period of five years, involved 500 men, half of whom were instructed to stare at women’s breasts in a lustful manner for no less than 10 minutes every day. The other half were instructed to abstain from doing such,” it read.

“It concluded that men who stared at breasts, more often, showed lower rates of heart problems, slower resting heart rate and lower blood pressure, all of which enable a healthy living and long life. The study said men should stare at breasts for 10 minutes a day to improve the wellness of their hearts and live longer.

“Just 10 minutes of staring at the charms of a well-endowed female everyday is roughly equivalent to a 30-minute aerobics work-out.”

NOT SO FAST!

Michael Stang, a science journalist based in Germany, has come out to debunk the story, stating that there was no scientific research or papers to back the claims.

Old Hoax alert (2011, 2014 and 2015…)

— Michael Stang (@herrstang) October 22, 2019

There was no scientific research and also no scientific paper etc.

It's a hoax (and obviously a very successful one)

— Michael Stang (@herrstang) October 22, 2019

“There was no scientific research and also no scientific paper etc. It’s a hoax (and obviously a very successful one),” he wrote.

Editor’s note: This story has been edited to reflect new facts.