A recent Finnish study shows that sauna use has a positive effect in relation to not developing diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's.
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 to people 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, organizing and attention."
The study is based on data collected over 20 years from 2300 middle-aged men living in the eastern part of 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 the people who used a sauna 4-7 times a week, dementia was reduced by 66 percent and Alzheimer's by 65 percent lower than those who only used a sauna once a week.
In another article discussing the study, cardiologist Dr. Srinivas Reddy from 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, organization, and attention. Heat, in any form, is known to dilate blood vessels in the body. Not only is the physical effect important, but also the mental effect, where the sauna leads to increased 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 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
