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Based on our own experience, we have taken it almost for granted that sauna bathing has a positive effect on our health. But is that really so? It is gratifying to have our experiences confirmed by scientific research. Below are the key findings on the health effects of sauna bathing.
A workout for the heart
Regular sauna bathing helps prevent cardiovascular disease. A large University of Eastern Finland study on the health effects of sauna bathing found that it is a very effective way of avoiding these diseases. For those who bathe 4-7 times a week, the risks fall by as much as 65%, and for those who bathe 2-3 times a week by 20%. According to Professor Jari Laukkanen, who led the study, the reasons include the lower blood pressure and raised heart rate brought about by sauna bathing.
Better memory
A Finnish study on age and ageing found that sauna bathing has a preventive effect against dementia and Alzheimer's disease. According to the study, bathing in a sauna 4-7 times a week can reduce the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease by as much as 60%.
A better night's sleep
After a sauna, the body is often filled with a soothing sense of tiredness. Research shows that the quality and length of sleep also improve. In the sauna, changes in body temperature affect hormone activity. Endorphins are released, creating a soothing sense of tiredness and a better night's sleep once you drift off.
Exercise without moving
The effects of the sauna on the body are very similar to those of exercise. Your heart rate rises, lung capacity increases, circulation speeds up and the body starts to sweat. Sauna bathing can be compared to light exercise, but it cannot replace it entirely.
And what about the effects of heat shock proteins?
Researchers have shown that age-related diseases increase depending on how human cells respond to heat and other stresses. It has also been observed that heat shock proteins support the function of other proteins within the cell. This is believed to reduce age-related diseases.
Heat shock proteins are produced when the body is put under stress, such as the heat of the sauna. The American researcher Dr. Rhonda Patrick, who has gained wide public attention, has studied heat shock proteins and the effect of sauna bathing on longevity. She recommends bathing in a sauna as often as possible and considers it a significant factor in longevity.
Sources:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41371-017-0008-z
https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/46/2/245/2654230
http://epub.lib.aalto.fi/en/ethesis/pdf/12916/hse_ethesis_12916.pdf
https://www.rejuvcryo.com/the-science/health-benefits-of-sauna-cold-exposure
