The widespread benefits of infrared saunas in promoting better health are well documented and backed by research, but recently surfaced claims seem to suggest that infrared sauna use can boost the body’s rate of metabolism as well.
With metabolism rate being a significant factor that contributes to weight loss, many are now looking at the metabolic benefits that infrared saunas can provide. In this article, we’ll look at whether infrared saunas can really boost metabolism, as well as the science behind how it might do so.
The link between weight loss and infrared saunas
In case you haven’t heard, infrared saunas can contribute to weight loss. A study by the Scientific World Journal showed a positive relationship between infrared sauna use and weight loss — after a 20-minute session, women experienced an average body weight loss of 0.24kg, while men reported an average body weight loss of 0.84kg.
While some claim that the weight loss from this infrared sauna use is mostly water weight due to the high level of sweating, there are other physiological effects that support the claim of weight loss. One of the primary effects is temperature regulation, where the body burns its calorie reserves to keep the body cool.
Do infrared saunas have an impact on your metabolism?
To answer this question accurately, let’s look at the science behind how infrared saunas affect the body.
As infrared light reaches the skin, it penetrates the surface of it and heats the body’s tissue directly, causing the core temperature of the body to rise. Externally, the body’s natural reaction to the heat is to try and cool itself down, producing sweat from the skin.
Internally, however, this heat has an effect on the brain’s hormone centre, also known as the hypothalamus. The heat stimulates the hypothalamus, which in turn releases cortisol, a hormone that promotes metabolism.
With higher levels of cortisol, the body starts to experience an increased metabolism rate. The clearest example of this is the hunger that most infrared sauna goers feel after a session — this is an indication that the body does indeed burn calories quicker as a result of the infrared heat.
What are the health benefits of increased metabolism?
- Weight loss and management: Perhaps the most well-known benefit, a higher metabolism rate will naturally cause the body to burn more calories throughout the day, even while resting. This can help significantly with weight loss and management.
- Higher energy levels: The rate of metabolism is representative of how efficient the body is at turning food into energy. Individuals with faster metabolism, tend to feel more energised throughout the day and less likely to experience fatigue.
- Improved blood sugar control: A higher metabolism can help to regulate blood sugar levels, which can curb the risks of developing diabetes or prediabetes.
- Reduced risk of chronic diseases: Studies show that a higher metabolism may be linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
How long do you need to sauna to experience metabolic benefits?
Now that you know infrared saunas can increase your metabolism, you may be wondering how long it takes to experience the effects.
Usually, a 20-30 minute session in an infrared sauna will be sufficient to trigger the benefits of an elevated metabolic rate. That being said, this will also depend on how familiar you are with using infrared saunas, as well as the level of heat you choose for your session.
Those new to infrared saunas are typically recommended to stick to shorter sessions of up to 15 minutes at first to help their bodies get used to the heat and the sweating. It’s also recommended for beginners to start sessions at lower heat levels and gradually increase temperature over time, for a more comfortable experience.
How often can you safely use an infrared sauna?
Infrared saunas can be used as often as once every day of the week without any harm to the body. Most infrared sauna goers tend to stick to a frequency of 3-4 times a week, alternating between days to give their bodies time to recover from the intense sweating and heat exposure.
Ultimately, each individual’s health and wellness will affect how effective infrared saunas are at boosting metabolism. The best way to discover if infrared saunas can help to increase your natural metabolism is to try it for yourself and experience the benefits first-hand.
And if you’re looking for an infrared sauna that can give you the best experience, our team at Rimba Sweat is your top choice. Our modern infrared sauna suites in Manly, Cronulla, and Neutral Bay are fully equipped with all you need for sweat sessions that will rejuvenate, revistalise, and relax.