Saunas are one of the most popular health and wellbeing tools in the world. Most people are well aware of the benefits that using a sauna can bring, from destressing the mind to detoxifying the skin, but have never really stopped to wonder how exactly sitting in a hot room full of steam does these magical things.
The science behind the sauna is actually pretty fascinating, especially when you consider than when saunas were first introduced all those centuries ago, none of the scientific research that has backed up the health benefits of saunas more recently existed. Most ‘health’ concepts that were around hundreds of years ago have now been disproved by science and would be considered inconceivable today.
Saunas, on the other hand, have only grown in popularity and more and more health benefits are being discovered every single year. It is no fluke that homeowners across the world are now looking for saunas for sale to put in their own home.
What is the science behind common sauna benefits?
Body temperature increase
Many of the physical health benefits of a sauna result from a rise in body temperature. The concept of elevating the temperature of the body through exposure to high heat is the fundamental basis behind the sauna after all.
Traditional sauna temperatures tend to sit at around 70-90 degrees Celsius, with steam rooms operating slightly lower but with far higher humidity. Exposing the body to high temperatures results in a reaction called vasodilation where the blood vessels become dilated and blood flow increases. This helps to send blood circulation throughout the body and can help with injury healing and reduce blood pressure.
Detoxification
One of the biggest attractions of saunas for many is the detoxifying effect it has. Sweating in a sauna is a natural bodily reaction to a rise in core temperature and helps to wash away many of the toxins that gather on and just under the skin.
Sweat is mainly water, but also contains small amounts of unwanted substances and toxins. Sweating can help to remove these toxins to some extent. It is important to note when examining the science behind saunas that sweating is not the primary method of removing toxins from the body. The liver and kidneys are custom built for this role after all.
Destressing and Relaxation
Exposing yourself to the heat of a sauna causes a release of endorphins similar to participating in exercise. These are your bodies natural feel-good chemicals and the reason you get such a great buzz after a good workout.
Endorphin release can lead to a reduction in stress levels that produces a whole host of positive physical health benefits.
Immune system boost
There is some scientific research out there that suggests saunas can lead to a boost in the production of white blood cells and an increase in the body’s natural defence against infection and illness. More research does need to be done into this area to understand the size of this boost and the effects that it can have.