Do you love saunas? Research shows they’re linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a doctor explains more

Regular sauna sessions could protect your brain! Finnish research shows 9–12 sessions a month may lower dementia risk. Here’s how frequency and temperature matter. (Image: Pexels)

• Finnish study links frequent sauna use to lower Alzheimer’s risk
• Optimal sauna temperature is 80-99°C; 100°C may increase dementia risk
• Saunas may boost brain health by releasing heat shock proteins and improving blood flow.

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For those who love saunas, this is good news! Finnish studies show that people who take the most saunas have the lowest incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Kunal Sood, a US-based doctor, took to his Instagram account and shared more about the link between sauna use and Alzheimer’s in a new video.

Explaining the study that was done on about 1400 people from Finland and followed up 39 years later, Dr Sood said, “It was found that those who use a sauna for 9-12 times per month for an average of 5 to 15 minutes per session were less likely to develop dementia later in life.”

There was another factor that counted as much as frequency and time, and it was temperature. “It was also found that the most favourable temperature to reduce your risk of dementia was about 80 to 99 degrees Celsius, and if it was 100 degrees Celsius, this would actually increase your risk of dementia.”

Also Read: 5 early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, and 7 ways to prevent this type of dementia

Dr Sood added that if this makes you take sauna seriously, you shouldn’t forget to pay attention to what the temperature is set at. This helps optimise your body’s response to the activity.

And if you are wondering how a sauna can actually help the brain, he explained, “The main mechanism for why using a sauna may help is because they release what is called heat shock protein, which can help regulate cell function and protein formation, maintaining protein homeostasis in your brain. It will also help maintain adequate blood flow to your brain by decreasing your risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.”

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A post shared by Kunal Sood, MD (@doctorsoood)

This intrigued many of his social media followers, with many pointing out that saunas are mostly used by healthy people. One user wrote, “I’m no scientist, but immediately I thought—people who use saunas regularly clearly have less stress or are managing their stress.” Another wrote, “Love it, but correlation or causation? People who regularly use saunas are likely health-conscious in other ways too.”

Also Read: Forgetfulness in your 40s: Doctor shares early signs of alzheimer’s that you shouldn’t ignore

If saunas excite you and you’ve never tried them before, this is a good reason to go and give them a shot. People with underlying health conditions, however, should consult a doctor before trying them.

FAQs on the link between saunas and Alzheimer's risk

1. How often should I use a sauna to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's?

Finnish studies suggest that using a sauna 9-12 times per month for 5 to 15 minutes per session can help reduce the risk.

2. What temperature is ideal for reducing Alzheimer's risk in a sauna?

The most favourable temperature is about 80 to 99 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures, like 100 degrees Celsius, may increase the risk.

3. How do saunas benefit the brain?

Saunas release heat shock proteins which help regulate cell function and protein formation, maintaining protein homeostasis in the brain. They also improve blood flow to the brain, reducing the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

4. Should individuals with health conditions use saunas?

People with underlying health conditions should consult a doctor before trying saunas to ensure safety.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.