Frequent sauna use, the key to a longer life

– Frequent sauna use is linked to a lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and from all causes, according to a 20-year Finnish study.

The study, published in the journal “JAMA Internal Medicine,” analyzed data from 2,315 Finnish men, aged 42–60 at the start of the study, who took part in the “Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study” (KIHD).

Participants were followed for an average period of about 20 years.

Researchers divided participants according to the frequency of sauna use: once a week, 2–3 times a week and 4–7 times a week.

The results showed that men who used the sauna 4–7 times a week had about 40% less risk of death from all causes, compared to those who used it only once a week.

For deaths related to cardiovascular diseases, the risk was also significantly lower.

Another finding was that higher sauna frequency was linked to a more than 60% lower risk of sudden cardiac death, compared to using it once a week.

Why might it have an effect?

Researchers have proposed several possible mechanisms.

Exposure to high temperature can temporarily raise the heart rate and blood circulation, while some other studies have found a link between regular sauna use and lower blood pressure.

Other studies by the same research group have also found a link between more frequent sauna use and lower risk for several neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

However, researchers emphasize that these are mainly observational studies.

This means they show a link between sauna use and better health, but do not prove that the sauna is the direct cause of longevity.

Moreover, the main study included middle-aged men from Finland, so the results cannot automatically be applied to the same extent to women, other age groups or different populations.

In general, the sauna can be part of a healthy lifestyle, but it does not replace physical activity, healthy nutrition, sleep and the control of cardiovascular risk factors.