When it comes to weight loss, people try many things in order to shed a few extra pounds and shape their bodies in a way that they can be proud of. A craze that has become popular in recent times is spending time in infrared saunas. But with very little scientific proof to back up weight-loss claims, can you really lose weight by visiting infrared saunas? Let’s take a look now.
What is an infrared sauna?
Before we dive in, you’re probably wondering, ‘what exactly is an infrared sauna?’ They’re heated to somewhere between 120 and 140 degrees, which is cooler than the traditional 200-degree heat of other saunas. Users enter these infrared hot boxes for short sessions [usually thirty minutes] and enjoy the various health benefits associated with them.
What are the health benefits of using an infrared sauna?
Spending time in an infrared sauna is good for your overall health. Users benefit from detoxification of their skin from heavy metals and toxins, faster muscle recovery, and in certain experiences, weight loss. By raising your temperature, they also raise your heart rate, with one particular study finding that some people’s heart rates stayed elevated for up to thirty minutes after the sauna session.
Many people enjoy using infrared saunas because they’re simply relaxing, and sitting down and sweating out toxins is an ideal way to improve your wellbeing and maintain good mental health. The truth is, people will benefit from using an infrared sauna in different ways, and the results might not be uniform.
But what about weight loss?
How does it work?
Can you really lose weight in an infrared sauna?
Infrared saunas claim to help you lose weight by simply sitting there. But how does it actually work? Well, the claim is that the light waves generated can penetrate your skin and literally burn the excess fat away. This includes body fat and blood-floating fats like cholesterol. While it’s an interesting idea, is there any scientific proof to back up these claims?
The short answer is no. In fact, it seems that the medical world is skeptical of the fat-burning claims of infrared rays. Healthline doesn’t mention any weight-loss benefits of infrared saunas, with one health expert explaining that their main benefit is to: “Provide waves of a type of heat and light that can penetrate deeper into the body, and can heal deep tissue.”
Does this mean I should avoid infrared saunas?
Not at all! Just because there is no substance to the claims that they assist with weight loss, there are undeniably other health benefits to spending time in these saunas, as has already been introduced. According to Healthline, people suffering from high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, and joint and muscle pain will likely benefit from spending time in infrared saunas.
It’s also thought that time in saunas reduces some signs of premature aging, and they can help to clean your pores and freshen your skin. As such, they can certainly benefit people in different ways; it just seems that weight loss isn’t one of them.
The verdict
Given the available evidence, there is no scientific proof that infrared saunas help with weight loss. That being said, they can benefit your health in various ways. They can help to detoxify and purify your skin and reduce the impact of aging. They can also help those with long-term health conditions and can reduce the pain from general aches and pains.
You enjoy saunas and always wanted one for the home? You want to enjoy the confort of an infrared sauna at home? Then you should give a try to the Koanna infrared sauna blanket. It a great sauna variant that uses the same technology as an infrared sauna.
You get all the health benefits of an infrared sauna integrated into a portable and easy to use blanket.
