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Taking a warm bath helps relieve joint pain, relieve stress and promote sleep. Now, a study published online March 24, 2020 by the journal Heart suggests that day by day hot baths are also related to higher heart health. Researchers analyzed self-reported health and lifestyle information from greater than 30,000 middle-aged people in Japan. Participants answered a questionnaire at first of the study and were then followed for about 20 years. Compared to individuals who didn't take a bathtub bath greater than twice per week, those that took a warm or hot bath day by day had a 28 percent lower risk of heart disease and a 26 percent lower risk of stroke. The study is observational only and doesn’t prove that taking a day by day bath in the bathtub prevents heart problems. But previous research has shown that the results of a bathtub bath on the body are just like those of exercise. However, watch out: Bathing in extremely popular water has also been linked to sudden death from overheating, confusion, or drowning. If you’ll shower, keep the temperature comfortable and don't risk overheating. Finally, this study says nothing concerning the potential cardiovascular advantages of hot showers.
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