The most relaxing way to protect against heart disease: 1 hour a day is enough!

Do you imagine yourself in a hot bubble bath when you return home at the end of a busy day? If so, you haven't just pampered yourself; you have also unknowingly improved your health. How, you ask?

A recent study suggests that resting in a tub for an hour lowers blood pressure and insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes, a condition affecting more than four million people that increases the risk of stroke or heart attack.

The study involved 14 patients who sat in 40°C water for one hour, eight to 10 times over two weeks. Another study conducted by Coventry University last year claimed that bathing in a hot tub could be as good as a half-hour run.

IT ALSO REDUCES STRESS

A 30-minute session was found to quadruple blood circulation to the legs and lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels.

Experts suggest that this technique could help people who are less mobile or unable to exercise achieve some of the benefits.

Dr. Tom Cullen, who led the Coventry study, said, "Regularly resting in a hot tub offers an excellent way to provide a lifestyle change that brings many health benefits, but most importantly, one that people enjoy doing."

LIGHTENS THE HEART'S LOAD

Scientists at the University of Portsmouth said that slightly increasing body temperature could reduce how hard the heart has to work. And the drop in energy demand to keep the blood warm means fewer calories need to be burned.

According to the study's author, Dr. Thomas James, "This routine means the heart does not have to work too hard to provide enough oxygen to the body.

When the heart pumps less blood in the body, it also reduces the pressure inside our blood vessels. This is an exciting possibility for managing type 2 diabetes with heat therapy.

We hope these findings extend to better well-being, blood sugar control, and better heart health for individuals with the disease. Exposure to hot temperatures allowed the body to function better not just while in the hot tub, but also in the days following immersion in water.”

Staying in a hot tub for one hour a day has several cardiovascular benefits, including:

IMPROVED BLOOD CIRCULATION

High temperatures in a hot tub cause blood vessels to dilate, which can improve blood circulation.

LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

The pressure of the water on your body increases the heart's workload, which can increase the volume of blood your heart pumps. This can lower your blood pressure.

REDUCED RISK OF HEART ATTACK

A 2020 study found that participants who regularly took very hot baths had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

However, you should consult your doctor before using a hot tub as part of your healthy living routine, especially if you have pre-existing heart conditions.