Unexpected Sauna Health Benefits
January 30, 2021
Saunas have been around for thousands of years. If you trace the sauna tradition back to its Finnish roots, you’ll discover it began as little more than a space dug into an embankment in the ground. Today’s saunas are comfortable, stylish spaces that can be equipped with custom lighting and seating, your choice of a traditional or infrared heat source, and more. But one thing hasn’t changed – the unexpected sauna health benefits.
You probably already know how saunas, like those from market leader Finnelo, can help you relax, reduce stress, ease muscle tension and even flush toxins from your skin. But you might not know that science has proven sauna use can also have some cardiovascular health benefits similar to exercise.
Unexpected Sauna Health Benefits: Overall Cardiovascular Health
A study, conducted by professionals at the University of Iowa and University of Texas, set out to determine if sauna use could be an exercise replacement for people who aren’t physically able to get the exercise their cardiovascular systems need. During the study, the researchers had 25 healthy volunteers sit in a 78.8 degree room to achieve baseline readings. Then, they had them sit in a sauna heated to 163.4 degrees for 30 minutes. The results were interesting, and encouraging. The scientists observed some significant changes in the study participants following their sauna use. For instance, heart rates increased an average of 22.4 beats per minute, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased, and naturally occurring substances that have positive health benefits and that typically increase with exercise went up as well. Ultimately, the study determined that sauna use isn’t a replacement for exercise, as exercise offers some benefits that just aren’t achievable from sauna use. But for people who can’t exercise, using a sauna regularly may help their overall cardiovascular health.