The latest research has shown that relaxing in a warm bath has the same positive effects on the body as a 30-minute walk, according to the Science Alert portal.
Scientists from Loughborough University in Great Britain tested that theory on 14 men, who were challenged to ride a bicycle for an hour and relax in a bath at a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius for an hour. The aim of the test was to raise the body temperature by one degree.
The results showed that riding a bicycle burns more calories, but the scientists also made the unusual discovery that with a relaxing bath, the participants in the experiment lost 130 calories, the same amount as they would have lost during a 30-minute walk.
Physiologist Steve Faulkner says that a hot bath, in addition to reducing calories, also increases energy consumption. The scientists then continued to monitor the subjects 24 hours after the test and found that the hot bath reduced the amount of sugar in the blood by nearly 10 percent.
Faulkner believes that this happens because of heat shock proteins that the body produces during exercise and, as the results show, passive heating, where the body temperature rises independently of exercise.
"Heat shock proteins are molecules that are made by all cells in the human body in response to stress," Professor Faulkner explained, adding that long-term increased levels of these proteins can help insulin function and improve blood sugar control.
Such types of protein are known to be lower in people with diabetes. Faulkner says the results suggest that passive heating may be a useful technique to help people with type II diabetes control their glucose levels, in addition to generally helping with weight management.
At the same time, the scientists also determined that if the subjects take a warm bath after exercise, it will help them to reduce possible inflammatory processes.
With these tests, the researchers do not want to suggest that everyone should stop exercising in the gym and devote themselves to swimming, but rather recommend such passive heating of the body to people who, for whatever health reasons, cannot physically exercise.
Science Alert notes that the study was conducted on men, so they leave open the possibility that the results would be different in women. They certainly recommend a warm bath and relaxation from a stressful day, because the body will be grateful, reports B92.
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