Can saunas actually improve health? Is it science or just hot air?

Don't sweat! Or should we?

Some people believe that sweating regularly in a sauna can lower blood pressure, benefit the skin, boost immune function and mental health, and even lower the risk of heart disease. But is there any truth to these claims?

in of nature of things documentary sweat!Anthony Morgan sweats it out in the name of science to investigate some of the health claims about saunas.

Morgan started in Finland. This country has such a deep-rooted sauna culture that UNESCO recognized it as a sauna culture activity in 2020. “Intangible Cultural Heritage” If available.

Tampere city too sauna capital of the worldFinland is the perfect place for Morgan's first sauna experience.

A sauna is a form of passive heat exposure that exposes the body to high temperatures without physical exertion to induce sweating and relaxation.

Finns used saunas For hundreds of years, it has been used to maintain health and hygiene, promote social interaction, and even deliver babies.

Are these steamy traditions up to something?

Passive health benefits?

To find out, Morgan met with cardiovascular epidemiologist Setor Knutzor. His research suggests that Finnish sauna use offers a variety of health benefits, including: lower blood pressure and stress reduction.

One of Knutzor the study They looked at 26 years of data from more than 2,000 Finnish men. The results showed that for people with good cardiorespiratory fitness, three to seven sauna sessions per week reduced the risk of heart disease by about 60 percent, suggesting that the combination of good fitness and frequent sauna bathing is a powerful combination. It was suggested that there is a possibility.

In another study, Kunutsor found that moderate to frequent sauna use was associated with symptoms such as: Reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

However, other researchers are skeptical and believe that the health benefits of saunas may be even more limited.

Is the sauna a “poor man's pharmacy”?

For Finns, going to the sauna is considered a cultural heritage. Some believe it can lower blood pressure, be good for the skin, and relax the muscles and mind. Look at the sweat! Now streaming on CBC Gem and The Nature of Things YouTube channel.

power of movement

Exercise scientist and ultramarathon athlete Nick Tiller told Morgan that sauna users may appear healthier because of the relaxation and stress relief the environment provides.

“Regular sauna exposure appears to have several benefits: psychological benefits for health, wellness, and quality of life. As for the direct physical effects, I'm less convinced. “No,” Tiller said.

Sweating from exercise or saunas primarily acts as a cooling mechanism.

As the sweatiest animals on the planet, our cooling systems are top-notch. humans are Over millions of sweat glands than our closest relatives, chimpanzees.

But the benefits of physical activity, beyond just the act of sweating, are known to improve health.

“If you really want true health and wellness results, it takes time and effort,” Tiller says.

He noted that most of the research on the benefits of saunas is observational, and the few studies that have been conducted to date “have shown no difference in cardiovascular function.”

For example, in 2023, the controlled trial showed that markers of vascular health in people with stable coronary artery disease were not improved by sauna use.

other the study This suggests that sauna bathing does not reduce long-term levels of cortisol, commonly known as the stress hormone.

But while sweat may not provide any significant health benefits other than cooling the body, it may serve as a useful non-invasive health indicator.

Not all sweat is created equal

According to research, Sweat from sauna bathing It is rich in minerals such as magnesium and calcium, sweat from exercise Metabolic by-products such as urea increase.

In the documentary, Morgan visits sweat researcher Shira Karvinen, sweats, and donates the sweat to support her findings. specific biomarkers Sweat during exercise does not exist in passive sweat.

By analyzing sweat during exercise, Karvinen and her team can also optimize training programs for Finnish Olympic athletes.

For example, an athlete's sweat sample can help indicate whether the athlete is sick or may be recovering from an illness. “If you train based solely on how you feel, things may go wrong,” she says.

While sweating in a sauna may not be touted as a panacea, sauna bathing and other passive heat-related activities remain popular.

For example, hot yoga studios promise to offer the same health benefits as saunas.

However, one study found that there was no significant difference between practicing Bikram yoga indoors. Heated and non-heated environments When it comes to improving participants' vascular health.

Passive heat applications such as saunas, if not used properly, can pose risks such as dehydration, heat stroke, low blood pressure, respiratory disease, or complications for people with heart disease or sensitive skin. .

So, while saunas may help you relieve stress, you should use them with caution. You may also want to take health claims with a grain of salt.

clock sweat! On CBC Gem, CBC TV, etc. the essence of things YouTube channel.