How a Hot Bath Affects Metabolism

Weight loss, increased metabolism and other benefits of warming water treatments

The cool weather outside the window without further ado makes sure that a hot bath at the end of a long day is a great idea. To the obvious advantages of a pleasant procedure, scientists have recently added another one: the results of a study published in the American Journal of Applied Physiology confirm that regular baths help speed up metabolism and help to lose weight.

The study recruited overweight and sedentary respondents to find out if heating baths could be an alternative treatment for people with age or disabilities. The results showed that after an hour’s stay in a bath with a water temperature of +39, the subjects showed a decrease in blood sugar and insulin, accompanied by an acceleration of glucose metabolism. What is especially pleasant, it was subsequently confirmed that the test results are relevant for people of any age group and practiced activity.

It has long been known that relaxation in hot water has a positive effect on the body after exercise. Scientists explain this by the fact that physical stress from exercise provokes an increase in the level of interleukin 6 (IL-6), one of the most important mediators of the acute phase of inflammation, which, in turn, triggers the body’s immune response, mobilizing forces to fight for health – and hot a bath is simply irreplaceable to calm all this panic in a tired body.

But even if you are far from exercising or you are not recommended to get involved in exercise for some reason, according to recent findings from scientists, relaxation in hot water activates the release of substances that lower blood pressure, accelerate metabolism and lower blood sugar levels.

The news is definitely good news, but it is not a reason to abolish exercise, throw away your fitness pass and instead soak in the bath for an hour a day. It’s just that there is now a scientifically proven reason to stretch out the time allotted to water treatments. And if you are thinking right now whether to immerse yourself in hot water with aromatic foam and healing oils, remind yourself that a warming bath and shower…

… help with colds

Hot water (you can add chamomile or St. John’s wort to the bath) will help prevent disease, and the moist steam will moisturize your nasal passages, acting as a natural decongestant to relieve cold and flu symptoms.

… promote weight loss

The aforementioned study led by Dr. Steve Faulkner found that a hot bath lowered peak post-meal sugar levels and burned about 140 calories per hour, more than walking for an hour at a brisk pace, for example.

… relieve muscle tension

A hot bath relieves general stress from physical exertion, soothes tense muscles and has a beneficial effect on sleep, while a shower provides an excellent massage for the shoulders, neck and back, improves blood circulation and skin condition.