Who doesn’t love a long, relaxing soak in a hot bath? The waters ease our aches and pains along with our mental worries and stresses. Few things feel as soothing and luxurious as a hot bath. We don’t need scientists to tell us they’re good for us, but it’s nice to find more excuses to hop into a bath and let the waters dissolve our troubles and work their healing magic. Fortunately, researchers suggest that taking regular hot baths could be the key to improved health, including weight loss and diabetes prevention.
The scientists behind the research in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that having regular hot baths resulted in a spike in nitric oxide production in the body, resulting in: lower blood pressure, improved glucose intake into the tissues, reduced fasting blood sugar levels and reduced inflammation. These impressive findings have wide-reaching effects on our health.
According to the new findings, taking regular hot baths could actually speed our metabolism, help us lose weight and reduce inflammation throughout our body. Considering that inflammation has been linked to a whole host of health problems, including: arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and many other common conditions, it seems bathing may hold at least one of the keys to successful treatment.
When the study authors examined numerous markers for diabetes, they found that hot baths had a profoundly positive result, meaning that hot baths could be helpful as part of an overall treatment program.
Of course, it’s important that the water is not excessively hot to avoid feeling faint or aggravate other health issues. There’s no perfect temperature that is ideal for everyone. Instead, it is important to find the best temperature for your preference.
To improve the soothing and healing properties of your bath water, add a half-cup of Epsom salts, which are an excellent way to boost your magnesium levels, or a half-cup of baking soda to your bath water. Most people tend to be deficient in the mineral magnesium, which can be absorbed through the skin, so taking Epsom salt baths are an ideal way to help relax and improve your health while also addressing magnesium deficiencies. Baking soda baths helps soften skin and, like Epsom salts, helps ease joint, muscle and other types of pain.
You can also maximize the healing benefits of taking hot baths by adding pure essential oils to the bath water. There are many to choose from depending on the effects you are trying to achieve. Lavender is relaxing and can help support deep and restful sleep when used prior to retiring to bed. Frankincense helps to support brain health and a healthy mood. Clary sage is a great choice if you suffer from hormonal imbalances. Citrus oils like grapefruit and tangerine are great choices if you want your bath to be uplifting and boost energy levels. Of course, there are many other options to choose from, so select the essential oils that work best for you and your health needs.
Depending on the ones you choose or whether you have sensitive skin, you may need to dilute the essential oils in a half-teaspoon of carrier oil like apricot kernel oil or fractionated coconut oil before adding to your bath water.
Regardless which type of bath additions you select, or even if you opt for a hot bath with no additions, you can rest assured that your bath is helping to give your body some much-needed TLC and healing.
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