Spending time in a sauna might give your immune system a quick boost, according to new research from Finland.
The study, published in the journal Temperature, found that a short sauna session can increase the number of white blood cells in the blood, which may help the body respond better to infections.
White blood cells are a key part of the immune system. They travel through the body to detect and fight harmful bacteria and viruses. Many of these cells are stored in tissues when they are not needed. When they enter the bloodstream, they become more active and ready to defend the body.
The researchers studied 51 adults with an average age of 50 to see how their bodies responded to sauna bathing. Each person spent 30 minutes in a sauna and took a short cold shower break during the session. The scientists then measured changes in their blood.
They found that after the sauna session, the number of white blood cells in the bloodstream increased. This included important immune cells like neutrophils and lymphocytes. These cells are essential for fighting infections and maintaining overall health.
However, the increase did not last long. Within about half an hour after leaving the sauna, the levels of these cells returned to normal. This suggests that the effect is temporary but still meaningful.
The researchers explained that the sauna likely causes white blood cells to move from storage areas into the blood. This allows them to circulate through the body and monitor for potential threats. A similar effect happens during exercise, which is known to support immune health.
The study also examined cytokines, which are substances that help control immune responses. Overall, the sauna did not cause large changes in these substances. However, some changes were linked to how much the body heated up during the session.
This finding suggests that body temperature may play a role in how the immune system reacts. When the body heats up, it may trigger certain processes that influence immune activity.
Sauna bathing has been used for centuries in countries like Finland and is often associated with relaxation and improved well-being. Some studies have also linked regular sauna use to better heart health and lower risk of certain diseases.
This new research adds to that understanding by showing how the immune system responds in the short term. It suggests that sauna bathing may help improve the body’s ability to detect and respond to infections, at least for a short period.
However, there are important limits to this study. It only looked at one sauna session and its immediate effects. It does not show whether repeated sauna use leads to long-term improvements in immune health. More research is needed to answer these questions.
In summary, this study shows that sauna bathing can quickly increase immune cell activity, even though the effect does not last long.
It provides useful insight into how heat exposure may support the body’s defense system. At the same time, more studies are needed to understand the long-term benefits and whether regular sauna use can improve health over time.
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Source: University of Eastern Finland.
