"Repeated passive heating may contribute to reducing chronic inflammation."
New research shows that taking a hot bath may help to burn just as many calories as going for a run. Researchers also found that it can even help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
The surprising results now support the common belief of a hot bath’s many benefits.
Loughborough University published their findings on 20th March 2017. The aim of the study involved investigating the effects on blood sugar control. It also looked at the number of calories burned when taking a hot bath.
They chose fourteen men for the study. Some had to take an hour-long hot bath or do an hour’s worth of cycling.
When the hour ended, researchers compared their blood sugar levels and the number of calories burned.
While more calories were burned during cycling, the results showed that taking a hot bath burned off the same amount of calories as a 30-minute walk.
The face of the study, Dr Steve Falkner says:
“The overall blood sugar response to both conditions was similar, but peak blood sugar after eating was about 10% lower when participants took a hot bath compared with when they exercised.”
They also found changes to “inflammatory response similar” to exercise. This shows hot baths can provide beneficial functions, as the response helps our bodies to fight off infections and diseases.
Dr Falkner concluded that: “Repeated passive heating may contribute to reducing chronic inflammation, which is often present with long-term diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.”
His study marks as the latest in a series of exploring the many benefits of passive heating. In Finland, a 2015 study revealed that visiting saunas frequently can help reduce the chances of heart attacks and strokes.
In the same year, Oxford University also found that a hot bath can help lower blood pressure.
So, if you’re not feeling up for a run in the morning, no need to worry! All you need to do is have a good long hot bath.
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