Benefits of the sauna for health

Many people use the sauna to relax but it also has additional benefits for our health.

The saunas have been used for hundreds of years and are still very popular today to have a moment of relaxation, to feel better ... but can also bring us a series of benefits on the body beyond relaxation, regardless of the type of the sauna or its humidity level. Let's see what they are:

• Circulation

In the sauna our heart rate increases and the blood vessels widen, which increases circulation. Increased circulation can help reduce muscle pain, improve joint movement and relieve the pain of arthritis. The heat can also promote relaxation, which improves the feeling of well-being.

• Cardiovascular diseases

A possible health benefit of sauna use is the reduction of the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine and conducted in Finland with 2,315 men between the ages of 42 and 60 who had a follow-up for 20 years. Of all the participants, 929 died of heart disease, coronary heart disease or sudden cardiac death. The participants were also categorized by the frequency with which they used the sauna, including once a week, two to three times a week, and four to seven times a week. After adjusting cardiovascular risk factors, the increase in the use of the sauna was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases related to death. The results were even greater for men who used the sauna more frequently. Those who used the sauna four or more times a week suffered 63% less sudden cardiac death than those who only used it once a week.

• Stress

The sauna helps to release stress. This effect can also help reduce cardiovascular events.

• Myths of health about saunas, jacuzzis and steam baths

Although there may be some potential health benefits of spending time in a sauna, there are also some myths that need to be banished. One of them says that sweating in the sauna can eliminate toxins from the body. False.

It is true that sweating occurs during the use of the sauna, but there is no scientific research that demonstrates that it detoxifies the body, because through sweat we barely get rid of 1% of the toxins. Toxins such as alcohol, mercury or aluminum are eliminated mainly by the kidneys, liver and intestines.

Another myth about the use of the sauna is that it leads to weight loss. It is possible to weigh a little less after the sauna, but this is due exclusively to the loss of liquids, not fat. The weight will be replaced as soon as we eat or drink something.