A recent Finnish study shows that sauna use may have a positive effect on the risk of developing conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Finnish study, published in 2016 in Oxford Journals, shows that the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s was reduced by two thirds with regular sauna use. Men who used a sauna 4-7 times a week had a 66% lower chance of developing dementia compared with those who only used a sauna once a week.
“We know that increased blood flow to the brain leads to better mental function in areas such as planning, organisation and attention.”
The study is based on data collected over 20 years from 2300 middle-aged men living in eastern Finland. They were divided into three groups: 1) those who used a sauna once a week, 2) those who used a sauna 2-3 times a week and 3) those who used a sauna 4-7 times a week. Among those who used a sauna 4-7 times a week, dementia was reduced by 66 per cent and Alzheimer’s by 65 per cent compared with those who only used a sauna once a week.
In another article discussing the study, cardiologist Dr Srinivas Reddy of Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Illinois, USA, explains that cardiovascular health can affect the brain in many ways. “We know that increased blood flow to the brain leads to better mental function in areas such as planning, organisation and attention. Heat, in any form, is known to widen the blood vessels in the body. It is not only the physical effect that matters, but also the mental effect, where the sauna leads to greater relaxation and well-being.”
Sauna and heart health
Another research article on the same group of men showed that those who used a sauna 4-7 times a week also had a significantly lower death rate from cardiovascular disease and stroke than those who only used a sauna once a week.
Read about more studies on heart health here
Disclaimer: The content of this article is intended as general information only. Research on infrared heat and red light therapy is still developing, and individual results may vary. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Contact a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional if you have questions about your own health, diagnosis or treatment.
