A lot of people love taking a relaxing hot bath after a long, hard day at work. It seems that hot bath may have more benefits than just a calming effect. And there are also some advantages of taking a shower just to compare:
A small study confirmed the positive effects of hot baths.
Researchers from Loughborough University carried out a study, in which they compared how many calories cycling hot baths can burn, and also looked at the effects of exercise and heat on blood sugar. 14 men participated in the study; they were subjected to two different tests: a one-hour bicycle ride and a one-hour bath in 104-degree-Fahrenheit water.
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Cycling burned significantly more calories than hot bath, exactly as the researchers had expected. The amount of calories – about 130 – that hot bath burned is still impressive because it’s roughly the same amount that a 30-minute walk can burn.
One more finding: Hot bath did a better job at moderating blood sugar than cycling. The participants’ levels of blood sugar were monitored for 24 hours after the test; peak blood sugar levels were approximately 10% lower in those who took a hot bath than those who cycled for an hour.
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It’s too early to make a definitive conclusion because it was a small study and all of its participants were men. Women’s bodies may show a different response to similar tests.
Other studies suggest that passive heating (both hot baths and saunas) may help decrease inflammation and the risk of cardiovascular problems.
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Certain groups of people need to be wary of hot baths.
Hot baths and saunas are beneficial for healthy individuals if they don’t overdo it. But passive heating may pose a risk to some people, including:
- pregnant women;
- people with high blood pressure and heart problems, such as arrhythmia;
- people with kidney and liver diseases;
- cancer patients;
- people who suffer from eczema;
- people who are recovering from surgery;
- intoxicated people.
If you have a chronic health condition, it’s best to ask your doctor whether passive heating is safe for you.