A small study from the University of Portsmouth suggests that regular hot tub sessions could help people with type 2 diabetes manage their condition by improving insulin effectiveness, supporting heart health, and lowering blood pressure.
The research is one of the first of its kind to explore how heat therapy might benefit individuals with this chronic disease.
The study involved 14 participants with type 2 diabetes, who were immersed in 40°C (104°F) water for one hour, 8 to 10 times over two weeks.
The findings, published in the Journal of Thermal Biology and the American Journal of Physiology, showed notable improvements in insulin sensitivity.
This means that participants’ bodies used insulin more effectively, allowing their pancreas to produce less of the hormone. While glucose levels remained stable, lower insulin levels indicate less strain on the pancreas, potentially preserving its function over time.
Dr. Ant Shepherd, one of the study’s authors, emphasized the importance of finding alternative treatments for diabetes. “Managing diabetes often involves diet, exercise, or medication, but these solutions can face barriers.
Our research highlights the potential of hot water therapy as a simpler, less invasive option,” he explained. “By making the body more sensitive to insulin, we reduce the need for the pancreas to overwork, which is crucial for long-term health.”
The study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, with researchers closely monitoring participants’ body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate every 15 minutes to ensure safety.
Participants were immersed up to their collarbones, with their internal body temperature reaching a target of 38.5 to 39°C (101.3 to 102.2°F).
Broader Benefits Beyond Insulin Sensitivity
In addition to improving insulin sensitivity, the hot tub therapy also demonstrated other health benefits. Participants’ hearts worked more efficiently during and after the therapy, requiring less effort to pump blood throughout the body.
This reduction in workload translated to lower blood pressure, as explained by lead author Dr. Thomas James.
“When the body is exposed to heat, it adapts by lowering its resting body temperature and reducing the energy burned at rest,” said James.
“This means the heart needs less oxygen to circulate blood, making it more efficient and reducing the strain on blood vessels—similar to turning down the water pressure in a hose.”
Interestingly, participants also burned fewer calories while at rest, which might seem counterintuitive but has a positive implication.
James noted, “If the body is more efficient at rest, it could make low-intensity activities like walking or climbing stairs feel easier. This might encourage individuals to engage in more physical activity, which is essential for managing diabetes and overall health.”
Potential for Future Applications
The findings suggest that hot tub therapy could become a valuable tool for managing type 2 diabetes, especially for individuals who face barriers to traditional treatments like exercise. In addition to easing the strain on the pancreas and heart, regular hot tub sessions might also improve overall well-being and energy levels.
However, the researchers caution that the study was small, involving only 14 participants, and further research is needed to confirm the results.
Larger-scale studies could help determine the broader impact of heat therapy on blood sugar control and cardiovascular health in people with type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Shepherd expressed optimism about the potential of this therapy: “This research opens up exciting possibilities for using heat therapy to manage diabetes.
With further studies, we hope to better understand how hot tub sessions can complement existing treatments, offering a new path to improved health for those living with the disease.”
While more evidence is needed, this early research suggests that something as simple as soaking in a hot tub could provide significant health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, making their condition easier to manage and improving their quality of life.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease, and Vitamin D could benefit people with diabetic neuropathic pain.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that Vitamin E could help reduce blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetes, and results showing eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
The research findings can be found in the Journal of Thermal Biology.
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