Benefits of hot baths for diabetes patients

During this time, hot springs or saunas are known to reduce stress and help reduce weight. However, not only that. One study revealed the benefits of a hot bath in reducing inflammation and boosting metabolism.

Benefits of hot water for health

So far, researchers believe that a hot shower or bath can improve blood function and promote better sleep. So, soaking in hot water is believed to be good for your heart health.

The experts also began to explore further whether there is a benefit in hot baths to treat metabolic diseases, such as diabetes.

Previous research has reported that people with type 2 diabetes have increased insulin sensitivity when taking a hot shower. A body that is more sensitive to insulin means that blood sugar can be controlled properly. The reason is, the insulin hormone is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. In other words, there are benefits of a good hot bath for diabetes patients.

Unfortunately, it is not clear how this process is done. Researchers suspect that hot water and blood sugar levels have an effect on the inflammatory response in the body.

The effect of a hot bath is similar to exercise

Inflammation that is not too severe but has been going on for a long time (chronic) can increase insulin resistance. This means that cells in the human body cannot respond to insulin properly due to inflammation. If the cells do not respond well, blood sugar levels become uncontrollable. The risk of diabetes also goes up.

Meanwhile, exercise has been shown to reduce inflammation and increase insulin sensitivity so that it is no longer resistant. To learn more about the differences in insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance, please read here. Well, back again that being sensitive to insulin is good, because it means you can control the risk of diabetes. So, exercise that can increase insulin sensitivity is considered good for preventing diabetes.

However, not everyone can exercise. For example, because you have certain health conditions or have physical limitations. Therefore, it is important to find other ways to increase insulin sensitivity.

Taking a hot bath is thought to have an effect very similar to exercise. First of all, exercise will trigger an inflammatory response in a very short time, followed by a longer period of anti-inflammatory activity. So it is with a hot bath.

Benefits of hot baths for diabetes patients

Soaking in hot water is known to increase insulin sensitivity. Researchers looked at the effects of hot showers in overweight and sedentary men. The research is published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Each participant was asked to soak in hot water with a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius for one hour. The researchers drew the participants' blood before, after, and 2 hours after bathing. Researchers also measured the participants' blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate every 15 minutes.

The results found that hot showers caused a surge in interleukins, a marker of inflammation. In addition, it was also found that there was an increase in the production of nitric oxide (NO).

A spike in NO is important because it relaxes blood vessels and causes blood pressure to drop. NO also increases glucose intake into the body's cells and may have anti-inflammatory properties. This is done for 2 weeks. The result is a visible reduction in fasting blood sugar as well as reduced inflammation.

The researchers concluded that a hot bath might reduce inflammation and increase the body's ability to process sugar (so that it doesn't get too much in the blood) in sedentary and overweight men.

Even so, the benefits of this hot bath can not be the main treatment for diabetes or replace exercise. You still have to see a doctor so that blood sugar can be controlled.

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