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Based on personal experience, we have considered it almost self-evident that sauna bathing has a positive effect on our health. But is this really the case? It is uplifting to gain certainty for our experiences from scientific research. Below are the key findings on the health effects of sauna bathing.
Heart training
Regular sauna bathing helps prevent cardiovascular diseases. In a large study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland focusing on the health effects of sauna in research We found that sauna bathing is a very effective way to avoid these illnesses. For those who bathe in the sauna 4–7 times a week, risks are reduced by up to 65%, and for those who bathe 2–3 times a week, risks are reduced by 20%. According to Professor Jari Laukkanen, who led the study, reasons for this include, for example, the reduced blood pressure and increased heart rate caused by sauna bathing.
Better memory
investigation into the age and ageing of Finns in research Preventative factors for dementia and Alzheimer's disease were found in sauna bathing. According to the study, bathing in a sauna 4-7 times a week can reduce the risks of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease by up to 60%.
Better night's sleep
After using the sauna, your body is filled with a calming feeling of tiredness. Research The quality and duration of sleep also improve. During a sauna session, changes in body temperature affect hormone activity. Endorphins are released, creating a calming feeling of fatigue, which leads to a better night's sleep when falling asleep.
Exercise without movement
The effects of a sauna on the body are very similar to those of exercise. Heart rate increases, lung capacity grows, circulation speeds up, and the body begins to sweat. Sauna bathing can be compared to light exercise, but it cannot completely replace it.
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 subjected to a stress state, such as the heat of a sauna. American researcher Dr. Rhonda Patrick, who has gained public attention, examined heat shock proteins and the effect of sauna bathing on longevity. He recommends sauna bathing as often as possible and considers sauna bathing 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
