Gaby
Saunas have long been regarded not just as places for washing, but as spaces for relaxation, socializing, and even conducting business deals.
The culture of sauna is rich and diverse, transcending borders and history, noted Dan Baumgardt, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol (UK). While the sauna is an integral part of Scandinavian life, particularly in Finland, it is also cherished in other parts of the world.
According to Mr. Baumgardt, the concept of visiting a sauna has transformed in recent years. In various countries, including the UK, more and more people are opting for the sauna instead of the pub. The expert finds this quite audacious. Drinking alcohol before, during, and after a sauna visit puts serious stress on the body.
Perhaps indulging in drinks at a temperature of 80 °C appeals to some hedonist seeking new pleasures and euphoria, but unfortunately, they often overlook the dangers of such behavior.
What Are the Risks of Drinking Alcohol in a Sauna?
Numerous studies have analyzed the potential health benefits of sauna visits. Among the positive outcomes observed by researchers are blood pressure control, recovery from certain lung diseases, wound healing, and even a reduced risk of developing dementia. And these are just a few of the benefits that saunas offer to the body.
However, to reap these benefits, all you need is steam and tranquility. Alcohol does not belong in the wellness practices of a Finnish sauna. To understand why alcoholic beverages are dangerous for sauna-goers, one must recall how the body reacts to heat and drinking simultaneously.
First and foremost, Dan Baumgardt pointed out the hypothalamus’s response, a region deep in the brain that regulates our body temperature. In response to heat, the hypothalamus activates blood flow to the skin and sweating, helping us cool down. But this process is accompanied by dehydration, as reported by Science Alert. If you amplify this process with alcohol (a diuretic that typically dehydrates the body), the risk of negative consequences significantly increases.
Both alcohol and high temperatures adversely affect cardiovascular function, often lowering blood pressure and increasing heart rate. This can lead to dangerous heart rhythm disturbances—arrhythmias.
Moreover, this hellish combination of heat and alcohol has detrimental effects on the brain. Specifically, it impairs cognitive abilities and coordination. Mr. Baumgardt also mentioned consequences of drinking in the sauna, such as dizziness, fainting, and confusion, which elevate the risk of falls, burns, or even drowning.
The scientist cited an example described in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. According to the publication, an intoxicated individual tragically died after sustaining severe injuries, including burns, just seven minutes into their sauna visit. Additionally, research by Finnish scientists has revealed an increasing link between accidental deaths in saunas and alcohol intoxication.
Dan Baumgardt recommends limiting time spent in the sauna and cooling off afterward in a pool or shower. As for maintaining the body’s water balance, the expert advises doing so exclusively with non-alcoholic beverages.
