Hot tub baths lower blood pressure and lower insulin levels
Dec 19, 2024
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It has also been shown to have the effect of lowering blood pressure and insulin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
According to medical media Medical Express, a research team from the University of Portsmouth in the UK has published a study on the effectiveness of hot tub therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The team monitored changes in blood pressure, blood flow and insulin levels after 14 participants with type 2 diabetes were allowed to rest in hot water at 40 degrees Celsius for one hour. The study was conducted 8 to 10 times over 2 weeks.
After the collarbone was submerged, the target body temperature was set at 38.5 to 39 degrees Celsius.
As a result, it was found to make cardiac action easier and lower blood pressure.
In particular, systolic blood pressure was lowered, but it did not significantly affect diastolic blood pressure.
Blood flow was improved, keeping the heart rate stable and insulin levels decreased.
The research team explained that in order to keep blood warm, the heart needs to exercise a lot, but the body temperature rises from hot water to relieve the burden on the heart.
Study author Dr. Thomas James said, `This means that the heart does not have to work hard to provide enough oxygen to the body"When the blood that the heart pumps throughout the body decreases, the pressure inside the blood vessels also decreases," he said.
It also added that "This effect was maintained for several days after finishing the hot tub."
However, Dr. James said that the study was conducted on a small scale and further research was needed.
The results of the study were recently published in the journal 『The Journal of Thermo-thermal Biology』.
Studies on the effectiveness of hot tubs were also published last year.
A research team from Coventry University in the UK has found that soaking in a hot tub can be as good as running for 30 minutes. The research team was allowed to sit in a square hot tub three times for 30 minutes every day for three days.
According to the results of a study published in the journal 'Application Physiology Journal', blood flow to the legs increased by an average of 345%. The researchers explained that this has almost the same effect as jogging for 30 minutes.
The level of cortisol called 'stress hormone' decreased by 22%.
Dr. Tom Cullen, who led the study, said "There are many health benefits to using hot tubs regularly."
Reporter Jang Jong-ho bellho@sportschosun.com
bellho@sportschosun.com
