The Health Benefits of Hot Baths: A Science-Backed Alternative to Saunas
Immersion in hot water may offer benefits comparable to aerobic exercise and may reduce blood sugar levels, according to other studies, while bathing may be more effective than a sauna session at lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system, according to research from the University of Oregon. While the wellness industry has seen a surge in the popularity of saunas, recent investigations suggest the traditional bathtub remains an accessible, less expensive tool for improving health, particularly regarding blood pressure regulation and immune function.
- Hot water immersion may have benefits comparable to aerobic exercise and may reduce blood sugar levels.
- A trial funded by the British Heart Foundation found that hot-tub sessions were followed by improved blood pressure and walking ability in a participant with peripheral artery disease.
- Heat therapy functions by raising core body temperature, which redirects blood flow from internal organs toward the skin, enhancing circulation.
The Cardiovascular Impact of Heat Therapy
At Manchester Metropolitan University, scientists are currently examining whether hot water immersion can relieve the symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD). This common circulatory disease usually affects arteries in the lower legs, making walking painful, and was the focus of an eight-week heat-therapy trial involving 75-year-old Ken Heywood. Heywood attended hot-tub sessions three times a week, with the water heated to 40C. By the end of the trial, he said: “my blood pressure had got better, certainly my walking had got better.” He exceeded his goal of finishing his daily dog walks without pausing at every bench, and made it to the top of the hill in his local park.
Biological Mechanisms of Thermal Immersion
The physiological response to hot bathing centers on core temperature regulation. William Carey, among the academics leading the Manchester Metropolitan University trial, explains that hot water bathing improves blood circulation “because our core temperature rises, and that will drive the blood to the skin, away from organs.” This process is especially beneficial for someone like Heywood, whose body is not circulating blood to his legs as effectively as it should, but it is probably good for most people’s cardiovascular health, Carey adds. He recommends consulting your GP, particularly if you have low blood pressure.
The belief in the healing properties of water predates modern medicine, tracing back to the ancient Greek and Roman traditions. Medical historian and retired GP Roger Rolls notes that the system of “humorism”—practised between the fifth century BC and the 17th century AD—referred to what physicians considered the vital body fluids and posited that hot water could rebalance them. Although the discovery of microbes debunked humorism, the clinical utility of hydrotherapy persisted. Nowadays, many hospitals maintain their own hydrotherapy departments, employing water immersion to assist in rehabilitating people with neuromuscular disorders.
Hot Baths Offer a Mental Break
Beyond physical cardiovascular outcomes, hot baths offer a mental break. In an era when many people feel overly dependent on screens, influencer Grace Booth, who takes baths four or five times weekly, says baths are her “enforced relaxation time.” Although bathing routines have shifted toward showers in recent years, most UK homes are still equipped with bathtubs.
Future Trajectories for Thermal Research
Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University, supported by the British Heart Foundation, are investigating whether hot water immersion can alleviate the symptoms of peripheral artery disease. Ken Heywood intends to keep adding hot baths to his routine along with a heightened exercise program, both of which seem to be easing his pain. Anyone considering heat therapy should consult their GP, particularly if they have low blood pressure.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.