DID YOU KNOW?

Saunas can reduce the risk of stroke

Not that many Brits could do it, but taking regular saunas may stop you having a stroke.

Researchers from the University of Bristol tracked 1,628 Finnish people with an average age of 63. They found that over a 15-year period, the people who had four to seven saunas a week were about 60% less likely to suffer a stroke than those who had just one sauna a week.

The differences were similar even after the researchers adjusted for factors such as smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol, suggesting that they weren’t only down to sauna junkies having better overall health.

“Saunas appear to have a blood pressure lowering effect, which may underlie the beneficial effect on stroke risk,” said co-author Dr Setor Kunutsor.

However, clinical trials would need to prove saunas reduce stroke risk – and in any case, they’re not for everyone. Finns use saunas from childhood. Older sauna novices should be cautious and talk to a doctor first if in poor health.