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Hot Baths Trigger Exercise-Like Effects

Hot Baths Trigger Exercise-Like Effects

Update: 2025-10-01
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  • A 45-minute hot bath raises your core body temperature by 1.1 degrees C (2 degrees F) and boosts cardiac output as much as a moderate-intensity cardio workout
  • Hot water immersion increases immune activity, helps control inflammation, and supports immune surveillance
  • Compared to traditional and infrared saunas, hot baths triggered the strongest cardiovascular and immune responses due to water’s more efficient heat transfer
  • Very hot water dries out your skin, alters its pH, and disrupts your skin microbiome, especially if you have eczema, rosacea, or sensitive skin
  • You can reduce risks by keeping bath sessions under 30 minutes, moisturizing with coconut oil immediately afterward, and rotating with sauna usage if hot baths irritate your skin
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Hot Baths Trigger Exercise-Like Effects

Hot Baths Trigger Exercise-Like Effects

Dr. Joseph Mercola