In 1976, a British Military doctor named H. Foster wrote a letter to the British Medical Journal a few urgent subject in European public well being: the epidemic of deadly coronary heart assaults amongst middle-aged Finnish males. In it, he speculated that the explanation Finland had one of many highest charges of coronary coronary heart illness on this planet was the nation’s sauna.

On the face of it, the speculation made sense. A sauna is a worrying atmosphere for the physique, with an ambient temperature of 80°C (176°F) and above. The pulses of steam place repeated pressure on customers’ cardiovascular system. Keep in for too lengthy, and you’ll certainly perish.

However more moderen analysis suggests Foster could have gotten it solely improper, and that steadily partaking in Finnish sauna – in addition to other forms of heated bathing – could considerably scale back the danger of coronary heart assaults, whereas bettering well being throughout the board.

Having grown up principally in swampy, humid Washington DC, I’ve by no means actually loved feeling scorching and sweaty. However after practically twenty years of writing about well being and longevity, watching as knowledge piled up suggesting that restricted warmth publicity may profit our our bodies and minds, I made a decision to provide sauna a go. I discovered the analysis so compelling that I ended up spending three years digging into it and writing a e-book in regards to the myriad advantages of warmth. What’s extra, alongside the way in which, I found why we’re so well-primed to reap all these advantages.