Health tip: Sauna can offer benefits similar to exercising
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Finnish study finds post-sauna rise in immune cells
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It is not uncommon to see middle-aged and older adults enjoying the sauna at the gym instead of exercising, believing it helps relieve stress and improve health.
But is the sauna really beneficial for health? A recent study has provided scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of sauna use. It found that a 30-minute sauna session can temporarily increase the number of immune cells — specifically white blood cells — similar to the effects of exercise, thereby activating the immune system.
A joint research team from the University of Turku in Finland and the University of Eastern Finland analyzed immediate physiological changes in 51 adults (average age 50). Blood samples were collected before the sauna session, immediately after and 30 minutes after completion. Participants spent 30 minutes in the sauna, including a brief cold shower. The researchers measured changes in white blood cell counts and 37 types of immune mediators called cytokines.
The results showed a significant increase in total white blood cell count immediately after the sauna. In particular, levels of neutrophils and lymphocytes — key players in the body’s immune defense — rose, but returned to normal within 30 minutes after the session ended.
The study suggests that sauna exposure mobilizes white blood cells from tissues into the bloodstream and then returns them to their original locations. When white blood cells are released into circulation, they can patrol the body more effectively and respond better to pathogens. This mechanism is similar to the increase in white blood cells observed during physical exercise and may enhance immune surveillance.
There were no significant overall changes in cytokine levels, which regulate immune responses. However, individuals who experienced a greater rise in body temperature during the sauna showed changes in two specific cytokines. The association between body temperature changes and cytokine levels suggests that heat stress from sauna use may contribute to immune activation, according to researchers.
The research team emphasized that this study only examined the short-term effects of a single sauna session, and therefore cannot confirm long-term health benefits. Nonetheless, they suggested that heat stress and the resulting immune activation may be key mechanisms behind the potential health benefits of sauna use.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.