The best sauna has tons of health benefits that are constantly being discovered through research and studies. The first study by researchers at a University in Finland showed that the heat generated by the use of an indoor or outdoor sauna is often associated with a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The findings were published in the December 2016 issue of Age and Aging.

After assessing the weekly sauna habits, participants were divided into three categories such as 4-7 times a week for about 15 minutes of sauna use, 2-3 times a week for people using the sauna, and those who only used a sauna once a week.

It is worth noting that the researchers found a dose-response between the frequency of weekly sauna habits and the risk of dementia. The higher the rate of someone using the indoor or outdoor infrared sauna every week, the lower the risk of dementia.

For example, in people who use the sauna 4-7 times a week, the risk of any form of dementia is 66% lower than that of those only using a sauna once a week, and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is 65% lower too. 

Not surprisingly, the first study of saunas for neuroprotection and cardiovascular benefits came from Finland. In fact, the word “sauna” means Finnish.

The sauna has long been an integral part of Finnish culture and national identity. It is estimated that the country has a population of approximately 5.4 million and has more than 3 million public and private saunas.

In Finland, the use of saunas throughout the year is a healthy lifestyle for people of all ages.

Increased heart rate and blood flow by exercising or using the best sauna may have neuroprotective effects. According to the professor in charge of sauna research, frequent exposure to heat during sauna bathing may protect the heart and memory through similar but still poorly understood mechanisms.

He said in a statement that cardiovascular health is also known to affect the brain. The sense of well-being and relaxation experienced in the sauna may also work.

Neuroprotective Benefits of Sauna Use

Numerous studies of neuroprotective benefits show that aerobic exercise often improves mood, reduces anxiety and depression, and optimizes cognitive function throughout human life. 

According to a study, perspiration by aerobic exercise stimulates the production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDNF acts as a miracle and triggers neurogenesis, thereby increasing the volume of the gray matter.

Conventional MVPA can also improve the integrity of the white matter bundle, which helps to optimize functional connectivity between adult and old brain regions.

These dry sauna benefits significantly increase the brain’s scores on cognitive tests compared to control group results that were regularly stretched but did not draw blood through aerobic exercise.

Aerobic exercise is also associated with performance-related attention, planning, and organizational improvement.

From a public health perspective, Finland’s latest report on the neuroprotective benefits of using a sauna may change the rules of the game.

Finding ways to motivate people to exercise regularly is always a challenge. The good news is that the energy and willingness to sit in the sauna is much less than strenuous exercise, especially with age.

A sauna is a great option for the millions of people who want a natural alternative of exercising for weight loss. Using the best sauna may be a healthy alternative to hardcore exercise. Mainly if you want to lose weight, an infrared sauna can be the best alternative for heavy training and dieting.

The Finnish researchers conducting the study speculated that the sauna might provide some cardiovascular regulation because of the high temperature. 

Use the sauna to replenish your workout routine

Although most experts believe that saunas may not be a substitute for aerobic exercise, recent evidence suggests that the regular use of saunas may be a lifestyle that can improve cardiovascular health, benefit blood vessels and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Now, it seems that frequent use of the sauna (often like aerobic exercise) can also reduce the risk of someone who has Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

If you think of aerobics as an unpleasant experience and avoid exercising, then combining the gym with a dry sauna can be a practical way to reach your goals.

If you can currently use the sauna in your health club or gym, why not join the 15-minute fitness sauna session when time permits? Although the findings of the study are correlative, sitting in a sauna is guaranteed to provide peace of mind and activate the relaxation response of being in a serene environment.