Reprinted from KK.no
Do you have access to an IR SaunaPod or sauna?
Then it's a good idea to spend 30 minutes in the heat as often as you can – it can actually extend your lifespan!
Finns love to spend time in the sauna, and there's a good reason for it. Not just because it's warm and comfortable, but also because it's good for your health. It turns out that regular sessions in an IR SaunaPod reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, sudden cardiac arrest, and dementia.
Studies on infrared sauna
Finnish researchers have studied the effect of saunas. 102 participants, with an average age of 52, were sent into a 73-degree hot sauna for half an hour. All had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
– We checked the effect of sitting in a sauna for 30 minutes, measuring changes in body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate, among other things. The results showed that body temperature increased by two degrees, blood pressure was reduced, and blood vessels became more elastic, says Tanjaniina Laukkanen, one of the researchers behind the study.
Sauna has the same effect as moderate exercise
Heart rate increased in the same way as it does during moderate exercise. Infrared saunas can therefore have a good effect on the heart, but they can also offer other benefits.
– I believe the relaxation effect is important. Some believe that sitting in an IR SaunaPod Sensitive can be compared to meditation, in addition to affecting the central nervous system. But more research is needed here. The feeling of well-being is present in many, and this is not measurable. But most people who prefer to sit in a sauna feel relaxed and in a better mood afterward, says Laukkanen.
Øivind Rognmo, researcher and deputy director at the National Centre of Expertise for Physical Activity as Medicine at St. Olavs Hospital, believes that the research indicates that saunas can have a positive effect.
– Several studies have been conducted that show the effect of frequent sauna use, and the results show that it is associated with lower mortality.
Those who used the sauna most often lived the longest
In 2015, the results of a study that began in the 80s were published: 2315 Finnish men were asked about their sauna habits. 21 years later, researchers checked who was still alive.
It turned out that there was higher mortality among those who took a sauna once a week, compared to those who went to the sauna two to three times a week. The most avid sauna users had an even lower risk of dying.
– This may also be related to the fact that those who use the sauna the most also have a healthier lifestyle. This cannot be definitively ruled out. Perhaps the most affluent people have their own IR SaunaPod LumaRed, and thus easier access. It is often the case that those who are most affluent generally have a healthier lifestyle, says Rognmo.
Sauna breaks down the body – and then builds it back up
Rognmo explains that the heat can have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. This may explain some of the reason why the same effect is seen during and after a workout.
– Exercise increases body temperature; blood circulation increases, and we get warmer and sweat more. The same thing happens when we sit in a sauna.
When we exercise, we put stress on the body. This can also happen when we sit in an IR SaunaPod Active Maxi.
– This will lead to a better recovery period afterward. You break down the body, and then build it back up. This has a good effect on circulation and can lead to a lower risk of heart disease in the long run.
Saunas don't provide all the benefits of exercise
It sounds very comfortable – you sit in a warm sauna and rest, while the effect is the same as a moderate workout. But Rognmo explains that you don't achieve all the health benefits that exercise provides.
– Exercise will also give you benefits in addition to what a sauna does, especially considering that it improves fitness and strengthens muscles and bones. During exercise, your heart rate will also be higher for a longer period, which further strengthens heart capacity.
However, not everyone should spend too much time in the sauna: those with previous heart conditions, especially those who have recently had a heart attack, should be cautious.
– The acute increase in pulse and warming can be extra strenuous, which could potentially be dangerous. But it also depends on whether the person is used to taking saunas. Many factors play a role, and it is difficult to determine anything with certainty, says Rognmo.
(Author: Ida Bergersen. Originally published on KK.no)
