All articles tagged with #saunas
The Minneapolis Fire Department has installed saunas in some stations to help reduce firefighters' cancer risk by potentially removing carcinogens from their bodies, with ongoing studies to assess their effectiveness and additional benefits for mental health and cardiovascular health.
A study by the American Society for Nutrition found that 30 minutes of daily whole-body heat therapy in mice led to less weight gain and improved insulin sensitivity, suggesting potential benefits for postmenopausal women. Researchers believe similar results could be achieved in humans through regular sauna sessions, heated baths, or specialized heat wraps, though further studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety.
Sauna culture in Minnesota, rooted in the 1800s, has seen a surge in popularity, especially since the pandemic, as more people seek communal experiences. The tradition of sweating in saunas and then plunging into icy waters has become mainstream, with an explosion of sauna ventures in Minnesota and the upper Midwest. This practice, imported by the state's Nordic settlers, has become a way for Minnesotans to embrace the winter and form new bonds, attracting droves of enthusiasts to partake in the freeze-sweat cycle ritual.