Hot Bath Effects On Calorie Burning And Blood Sugar

[LoShiNi]

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.

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.

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.

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.