What is sauna?
Sauna, also known as steam bath, comes from the Finnish word for bath. It is a therapeutic method that uses heat, sweat, and steam to cleanse.
Is sauna good for weight loss?
Many people believe that the loss of water through sweating in a sauna helps with weight loss. However, this is only temporary because the weight loss is due to water loss, not fat burning.
"Steam baths help improve overall health by improving blood circulation, detoxifying and relaxing the body. However, this is not a long-term method of weight loss as the weight loss is mainly due to water loss. If you want to lose weight, you should combine exercise with a healthy diet," said Dr Vinay Kumar Shaw, a bariatric surgeon in India.
The scientific explanation of weight loss through sauna
Lose weight with water: When the body is exposed to high temperatures, the nervous system will tell the sweat glands to work to cool the body. After the sauna, due to the loss of a significant amount of water, your weight may decrease, but this is not weight loss but only a temporary state of dehydration.
Burn calories: According to Research Gate, infrared rays from an infrared sauna can burn about 400 - 600 calories in a 30-minute period. An average-fit person can lose about 1 pound (just under 0.5 kg) of sweat after each sauna session.
Saunas can slightly increase your heart rate, causing you to burn more calories than you do at rest. But if you want to lose weight long-term, soaking in a sauna isn't enough.
Risk of dehydration: Excessive sweating can lead to dehydration. So, drink enough water during and after your sauna session to minimize health risks.
