If you preferred a relaxing hot bath to an evening run, don't be hard on yourself! Research shows that bathing can not only strengthen health and relax but also help in burning calories.
Research conducted at Loughborough University in England has demonstrated that relaxing in a hot bath can burn the same number of calories as a 30-minute walk, approximately 140 calories. Scientists explain this by the effect of body temperature on metabolic rate.
To study this effect, researchers invited 14 men who either cycled for 60 minutes or stayed in a bath at 40°C for the same duration. The goal was to raise the participants' core body temperature by 1°C over the hour. The scientists tracked calorie burning and measured blood sugar levels over 24 hours.
Although the 60-minute cycling session burned significantly more calories, the hot bath also showed positive results. The time spent in the bath triggered an anti-inflammatory response similar to that experienced after physical exertion.
“This suggests that repeated passive heating, such as spending time in a hot bath or sauna, may help reduce chronic inflammation often seen in long-term conditions like type 2 diabetes,” explains Steve Faulkner, a researcher at Loughborough University and co-author of the study.
In another study, it was found that regular hot baths over 8 weeks could lead to lower blood pressure. This may be related to an increase in nitric oxide levels, which dilate blood vessels and consequently lower pressure.
Undoubtedly, a hot bath cannot fully replace all the health benefits of physical exercise. However, it can significantly improve both physical and mental well-being.
