Taking a hot bath is one of those indescribable pleasures that provide almost instantaneous comfort and relaxation (on par with tasting a raclette, of course) especially after a busy day or when the natural elements are unleashed outside. If you should not abuse the practice for obvious ecological reasons, there is no harm in programming this little head to head with yourself occasionally, it is even rather the opposite:hot baths would effectively reduce the risk of heart disease according to a study carried out by the University of Ehime in Japan. The researchers looked at the cases of 800 people aged 55 to 77 and analyzed their bathing habits:the frequency with which they took one, the duration of each one and the preferred water temperature (the bath being considered hot when its temperature exceeds 41°C). This data was collected throughout the 5 years of research and the health of the participants was carefully observed at the same time through frequent tests aimed at measuring the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The long-term study allowed the researchers to conclude that people who took 5 hot baths a week had a lower risk of developing fatty deposits in the arteries, a factor that can trigger a heart attack or stroke. However, these results have their limits because, like the Metro site emphasizes this very well, it is not specified how hot baths improve health. Participants who take 5 baths per week may have generally healthier habits and take care to release stress regularly, or perhaps they do so after daily physical activity. Impossible to say what it really is… It should also be noted that hot baths are not suitable for everyone, they are even not recommended for people who are often prone to fainting or low blood pressure. But taking at least 30 minutes for yourself every day to release the pressure is essential to well-being, whether in the bath, in front of the TV or in the garden accompanied by a good book. Take heart, the holidays are fast approaching!
