Exercise recovery
- In 2015 Springerplus published a study involving 10 physically active male volunteers which found that 30 minute sessions in a far-infrared sauna appeared to improve intramuscular recovery after maximal endurance exercise. [Source]
Allergies
- In 2013 the Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology published a study in which 26 allergic rhinitis patients were either assigned to a control group or a treatment group which consisted of six 5-minute sessions of sauna user per day, 3 days per week for 6 weeks. At the end of the study period the sauna group had improvements in nasal and lung function. [Source]
Reduced cardiovascular risk and all cause mortality
- In 2015 the Journal of Internal Medicine published a prospective study based on 2315 middle-aged men which found that, compared to one sauna bathing session per week, men who used a sauna 4 to 7 times per week had a 63 percent lower risk for sudden cardiac death. The researchers concluded that greater frequency of sauna bathing is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. [Source]
Cholesterol
- In 2014 the International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health published a study of 16 male subjects which found that sauna 10 sauna sessions reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol – with a gradual return to pre-experimental levels 1-2 weeks after the experiment. The researchers note that the positive effect of sauna bathing on blood lipids is similar to the effect gained through moderate intensity exercise. [Source]
- In 2010 The International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health published a study involving 20 female volunteers which found that 2 weeks of repeated sauna use reduced LDL and total cholesterol levels. [Source]