A new study of young men suggests that scuba diving combined with a sauna has health benefits after ice bathing. Winter bathing combines short ice baths in ice-cold water with hot sauna sessions, which can help the body adapt to extreme temperatures. The study results show how a routine change in temperature could influence thatbrown fatty tissueEnergy burns and heat is produced.
How brown fat has a healthy effect on the body when ice bathing
Working with skeletal muscle and blood flow, brown adipose tissue is part of the collective regulation of body temperature. Additionally, regular winter swimming combined with hot sauna could be a strategy to increase energy expenditure. Accordingly, it would lead to weight loss if a compensatory increase in food intake can be avoided, according to the study authors. Your research should examine whether Scandinavian winter swimming contributes to acclimatization to both cold and hot challenges. The research team also looked for differences in brown adipose tissue because it plays a role in producing heat in response to exposure to cold environments. Eight young male winter swimmers alternated several swims or dives in cold water with hot sauna sessions every week for about two years. In contrast, the control group did not use cold or heat therapies during the study and had no history of winter swimming.
It turns out that winter swimmers have better thermoregulation. The researchers also observed signs of cold tolerance with a smaller increase in pulse and blood pressure. The swimmers also had a higher skin temperature, which suggests greater heat loss as a possible adaptation to frequent sauna visits. The results support the idea that brown fat regulates body temperature to a comfortable state in young adults. However, the winter swimmers burned more calories and showed much higher heat production and energy expenditure in response to cool temperatures. The resultsthis studycould provide important insights into brown adipose tissue in relation to a lower risk of metabolic diseases. In future studies, researchers plan to evaluate the potential effects of winter swimming on metabolic health in overweight subjects.
