Here’s Why Taking a Hot Bath is Good for You

Sharon Moore March 30, 2017

Pampering yourself in a steamy bath can really be good for you. In fact, it has health benefits similar to exercising – according to new research.

The study, published in the journal Temperature, found that an hour-long soak in hot water produced similar anti-inflammatory and blood sugar responses as 60 minutes of moderate physical activity.

While additional research is needed to confirm the results, the researchers say there’s possible explanation to this.

“It seems that activities that increase heat shock proteins may help to improve blood sugar control and offer an alternative to exercise,” said lead study author Steve Faulkner from Loughborough University. “These activities ― such as soaking in a hot tub or taking a sauna ― may have health benefits for people who are unable to exercise regularly.”

For the study, researchers examined 14 lean and overweight men and analysed their metabolic health (a function that helps in regulating blood sugar). The participants were either assigned to an hour-long session of cycling or an hour-long session in a 104-degree bath. They discovered that both groups were better able to control their blood sugar levels in the 24 hours following the activities ― and the bathers perhaps were even better off: Their peak blood sugar levels after eating following their soak were approximately 10 percent lower than the peak blood sugar levels of those who exercised.

Researchers say the benefits can be attributed to ‘passive heating’ which could assist in lowering blood sugar levels, thus, may help in the management of diabetes or other metabolic-related health issues.

Another great benefit of a steamy bath is that it helps alleviate inflammation. In the study, bathers exhibited better anti-inflammatory response in their body similar to the effect of exercise.

The study was carried out by researchers from the U.K.’s National Centre for Sport & Exercise Medicine.

Source of this article:

Great News! A Hot Bath Could Have Similar Benefits To Exercise

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