Effect of Steam Sauna Bath on Fasting Blood Glucose Level in Healthy Adults

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Vandana V Shiralkar et al
18
Effect of Steam Sauna Bath on Fasting Blood Glucose
Level in Healthy Adults
1Vandana V Shiralkar, 2Pratap E Jagtap, 3Gajanan J Belwalkar, 4Nitin S Nagane, 5Sushama P Dhonde
IJMB
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
10.5005/jp-journals-10054-0047
amount of blood glucose rise is one of the risk markers
for developing type II diabetes, so keeping it down is
important for good health.
Steam sauna increases insulin sensitivity. Insulin is
an endocrine hormone that primarily regulates glucose
homeostasis by promoting the uptake of glucose into
muscle and adipose tissue. In humans, there is more evi-
dence indicating that the major anabolic effects of insulin
on skeletal muscle are due to its inhibitory action on
protein degradation.
Intermittent hyperthermia (by steam sauna) has been
known to reduce insulin resistance in obese, diabetic
mouse model. There was a 31% decrease in insulin levels
and a notable reduction in blood glucose levels, suggest-
ing resensitization to insulin.5 Nowadays, because of
speedily changing lifestyles, lack of exercise, sedentary
life systems, and stress, early onset of diabetes is common,
with overweight and obesity.
For such people, steam bath is a boon. Steam bath
appears to be useful as it increases the rate of metabolism.
Most people are unaware of the health benefits of sweat-
ing and use of steam bath for improving their health.
Heating of the body in steam bath creates “sensible per-
spiration.” Producing 1 gm of sweat requires 0.585 Kcal.
A person can sweat off up to 500 gm in steam sauna
consuming nearly 300 Kcal, which is equal to running
2 to 3 miles. It gives the benefits of exercise without exer-
tion.6 Thus, “artificially induced fever leads to therapeutic
sweating.” Moreover, when the body temperature rises,
blood vessels start to dilate. This encourages blood flow
and circulation within the body.
The function of the vascular endothelium is impaired
in subjects with lifestyle-related diseases, such as hyper-
tension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and
smoking. Vascular endothelium is a monolayer covering
the intimal surface and plays a pivotal role in maintaining
vasomotor tone, coagulation, fibrinolysis and vascular
structure, modulating inflammatory response, and oxi-
dative stress.
Endothelial cells secrete many substances, including
nitric oxide, prostacyclin, endothelial-derived hyperpo-
larizing factors, endothelin, thromboxane, growth factors
cytokines, and others. Endothelial function is determined
by the balance among these substances.7 Thermal therapies,
such as taking a warm water bath or steam sauna, induces
systemic vasodilatation.
1Assistant Professor, 2Professor and Head, 3Associate
Professor, 4,5Professor
1-5Department of Biochemistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed
University Medical College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra
India
Corresponding Author: Vandana V Shiralkar, Assistant
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth
Deemed University Medical College and Hospital, Sangli
Maharashtra, India, Phone: +912332374502, e-mail:
vandanashiralkar@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to know the effects of steam sauna bath
on fasting blood glucose levels (FBGLs). A total of 80 subjects,
40 males and 40 females, in the age group of 30 to 50 years
were subjected to seven steam baths on alternate days. The
temperature of the steam sauna was maintained at 50°C and
each bath was taken for 15 minutes.
Blood for FBGL was taken before the rst steam bath and
blood was taken again after seven steam sauna baths and the
FBGL was estimated. The FBGLs after seven steam sauna
baths were signicantly decreased as compared with presteam
sauna FBGLs. Steam saunas may help in preventing hyper-
glycemia and hence diabetes mellitus. It is also benecial for
healthy, asymptomatic subjects.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Fasting blood glucose level,
Hyperthermia, Insulin sensitivity, Steam sauna bath.
How to cite this article: Shiralkar VV, Jagtap PE, Belwalkar GJ,
Nagane NS, Dhonde SP. Effect of Steam Sauna Bath on Fasting
Blood Glucose Level in Healthy Adults. Indian J Med Biochem
2018;22(1):18-21.
Source of support: Nil
Conict of interest: None
INTRODUCTION
Steam baths were known to ancient Greeks and are a
traditional place for experiencing heat sessions. Accord-
ing to the Oxford dictionary, “Steam bath is a room filled
with hot steam for the purpose of cleaning and refreshing
the body and for relaxation.”1,2 Steam sauna operates
effectively at temperature of 50°C and humidity of 100%.
It is an important time-tested treatment which induces
perspiration naturally. The temperature of the body rises
and goes into a state of hyperthermia. The physiological
changes that occur are due in part to hyperthermia and
in part to the influence of the hormonal and nervous
systems which attempt to increase the heat loss.3,4 The

Effect of Steam Sauna Bath on Fasting Blood Glucose Level
Indian Journal of Medical Biochemistry, January-June 2018;22(1):18-21
19
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Repeated sauna therapy (50°C for 15 minutes)
improves hemodynamic parameters, clinical symptoms,
cardiac function, and vascular endothelial function in
patients with congestive heart failure. One of the molecu-
lar mechanisms by which steam sauna improves endothe-
lial dysfunction in these subjects is increase in messenger
ribonucleic acid and protein levels of endothelial nitric
oxide synthase.7
There are very few studies on the effects of steam
sauna bath on blood glucose levels and particularly there
is very much scarcity in the study of effect of sauna on
blood glucose levels in healthy adults. Hence, the aim of
the present study was to determine the effect of steam
sauna bath on FBGLs in healthy adults.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to assess the effects of
steam sauna bath on FBGL in healthy adults.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study was carried out in the Department of
Biochemistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University
Medical College and Hospital (BVDUMC&H), Sangli. The
study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethical
Committee of BVDUMC&H, Sangli.
A total of 80 volunteers, apparently healthy 40 men
and 40 women, between the age group 30 and 50 years,
were selected randomly. They did not practice any sport
and had not used steam bath before. The female subjects
did not report any menstrual irregularities. None of the
female subjects used any hormonal contraception.
After informed consent, blood samples were collected
before first steam sauna bath and second blood samples
were collected after seven steam sauna baths given on
alternate days. The temperature of sauna was maintained
at 50°C. The time duration of each steam sauna bath was
15 minutes. The subjects were asked to drink plenty of
water before and after the bath to prevent dehydration
due to excessive perspiration.
Steam sauna bath was well tolerated by all subjects
without any complaints during and after the procedure.
Fasting blood glucose levels were assayed in both pre-
and postsauna bath blood samples on fully automatic
biochemistry analyzer.8,9 All values were expressed as
mean + standard deviation (SD). Comparison of FBGLs
before and after sauna was done in total 80 subjects as
well as in males and females.
METHOD EMPLOYED
The glucose oxidase–peroxidase method was used.
SteamLife Portable Steam Bath was used for the project.
SteamLife is an easy-to-use portable steam bath unit that
helps you detoxify, rejuvenate, and burn extra calories.
It is easy, convenient, and safe to use. We can take steam
bath on our own convenience, in our personal room, while
watching TV, reading newspaper, talking on phone, etc.
It is compact and portable so that you can carry it
with you anywhere.
RESULTS
The mean FBGL before steam sauna in all the subjects
was 115.94 mg/dL + 26.434 SD and the mean FBGL after
seven steam baths in all the subjects was 97.19 mg/dL +
19.553 SD. There is decrease in mean FBGL in all subjects
before and after the steam bath. This difference is statisti-
cally significant (Table 1).
The mean FBGL before steam sauna bath in male
subjects was 116.9 mg/dL + 22.676 SD and after seven
steam baths, it was 95.98 mg/dL +15.662 SD (Table 2).
There is statistically significant difference (decrease in
mean FBGL) in mean FBSL of male subjects before and
after the steam bath.
The mean FBGL before steam bath in female subjects
was 114.98 mg/dL + 29.989 SD and after seven steam
saunas, it was 98.4 mg/dL + 22.938 SD (Table 3).
Table 1: Fasting blood glucose level (mg/dL) before and after
steam bath in all the 80 subjects
Paired
samples
statistics Mean n
Standard
deviation
Standard
error
mean t-value p-value
Before
FBSL
115.94 80 26.434 2.955 14.107 <0.001
After
FBSL
97.19 80 19.553 2.186
Table 2: Fasting blood glucose level (mg/dL) before and after
steam sauna in male subjects
Paired
samples
statistics Mean n
Standard
deviation
Standard
error
mean t-value p-value
Before
FBSL (male)
116.9 40 22.676 3.585 12.749 <0.001
After FBSL
(male)
95.98 40 15.662 2.476
Table 3: Fasting blood glucose level (mg/dL) before and after
steam sauna in female subjects
Paired
samples
statistics Mean n
Standard
deviation
Standard
error
mean t-value p-value
Before
FBSL
(female)
114.98 40 29.989 4.742 8.068 <0.001
After
FBSL
(female)
98.4 40 22.938 3.627

Vandana V Shiralkar et al
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Thus, there is statistically significant difference
(decrease in mean FBGL) in mean FBGL of female subjects
before and after the steam bath.
Statistically significant difference is not found in mean
FBGL of males and females before and after steam bath
(Table 4).
DISCUSSION
The regulation of the rate of metabolic changes in the
human body depends mainly on the functioning of the
nervous and endocrine system and the activity of key
enzymes in peripheral tissues. Insulin is an endocrine
hormone that primarily regulates glucose homeostasis,
particularly by promoting the uptake of glucose into
muscle and adipose tissue.
Insulin regulates protein metabolism in skeletal
muscle by two mechanisms: (1) By stimulating the uptake
of amino acids into skeletal muscle and (2) there is more
evidence indicating that the major anabolic effects of
insulin on skeletal muscle are due to the inhibitory action
on protein degradation. Thus, hyperthermic condition-
ing may promote muscle growth by improving insulin
sensitivity and decreasing muscle protein catabolism.10,11
Steam sauna increases blood flow to the skeletal muscles,
keeping them fueled with glucose and oxygen, while
removing by-products of metabolic process, such as
lactic acid.
This may be due to increase in metabolic rate result-
ing from excitation of the sympathoadrenal system and
an increase in the internal temperature of the body by
steam sauna bath.12 One small pilot study from 1999 had
eight type II diabetics use steam sauna for 30 minutes a
day, 6 days a week for 3 weeks. The volunteers’ average
blood glucose level went down significantly, dropping
more than 10%.
Overall, research indicates that passive heating, such
as a steam bath can increase the rate calories are burnt
by the people and may help reduce blood glucose spikes.
In the long term, these may assist with weight control
and improve control of blood glucose which would help
persons with type II diabetes mellitus.13
Steve Faulkner of Loughborough University tested
the men’s blood for heat shock proteins (HSPs) before
and after steam bath and exercise, as they are released in
response to heat stress and exercise. In Faulkner’s study,
the volunteers were healthy individuals without a history
of diabetes. According to Faulkner, peak glucose was
actually quite a bit lower after the bath, compared with
exercise. He also concluded that HSPs are released when
body temperature rises.
These proteins are part of the defense system and help
shunt glucose from blood stream into skeletal muscles,
thus reducing blood glucose levels. They are released
when the body is under stress, such as inflammation,
infection, and exercise. From Faulkner’s perspective,
increasing the core temperature of the body through hot
baths and saunas would be most beneficial if one strug-
gles with insulin resistance and controlling blood sugar,
or is physically unable to exercise.14,15 Faulkner did his
study to find out whether there are any alternatives to
exercise which could assist people in maintaining health.
He conducted a study on 10 sedentary males, bathed
for an hour at 40°C with continuous glucose monitoring
in subsequent 24 hours. The same participants were asked
to do cycling on separate days. He compared an hour-long
hot bath with same period of cycling and found that less
strenuous activity produced surprising results.
Overall, the research suggested that passive heating,
such as steam bath, can increase the rate of calorie
burning by people and may help to reduce blood sugar
spikes. He also commented that, these findings may help
weight control and possibly improve control of blood
sugar, which would help people with type II diabetes.14
The anti-inflammatory response to exercise is important
as it helps to protect us against infection and illness, but
chronic inflammation is associated with a reduced ability
to fight off diseases.
Thus, repeated passive heating may contribute to
reducing chronic inflammation, which is often present
with long-term diseases, such as type II diabetes.14,16
It was seen that people with obesity and diabetes tend
to have a lower response to HSPs, which suggests that
they may be important in helping to control our blood
glucose levels.14 Recent research by Dr Mercola confirms
that more calories are burned when the body temperature
rises in a hot bath, and it also has a beneficial effect on
blood glucose.17 Dr Richard Beever did his study on the
effect of far-infrared saunas on cardiovascular benefits
in people with type II diabetes mellitus. This was done
Table 4: Comparison of FBGL (mg/dL) in male and female subjects before and after steam sauna
BGender n Mean
Standard
deviation
Standard error
mean Z p-value
Before FBSL Male 40 116.9 22.676 3.585 0.324 0.747
Female 40 114.98 29.989 4.742
After FBSL Male 40 95.98 15.662 2.476 –0.552 0.583
Female 40 98.4 22.938 3.627

Effect of Steam Sauna Bath on Fasting Blood Glucose Level
Indian Journal of Medical Biochemistry, January-June 2018;22(1):18-21
21
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on 15 people with thrice-weekly infrared sessions over a
period of 3 months. The results were: mean systolic blood
pressure decreased by 6.4 mm Hg, waist circumference
decreased by 5.1 cm. But there was no decrease in FBGL.
In our study, seven steam sauna baths were given to
80 subjects on alternate days. The duration of each bath
was 15 minutes and there was a significant decrease in
FBGL after the seven steam baths. Thus, steam sauna may
be a nonpharmacological therapeutic intervention in life-
style modification. It could prevent the current epidemic
of lifestyle-induced chronic disease.18-21
Limitations of the Study
The present study and also most of the previous studies
looked at the short-term effects of taking steam bath.
So, more detailed long-term study on a larger group
of subjects (control as well as cases of diabetes mellitus)
is required to help subjects with diabetes mellitus.
CONCLUSION
Steam sauna activates many biological systems in the
body including the endocrine system. Majority of research
on the influence of steam bath on volunteers using steam
sauna showed that hyperthermia causes a shift of metabo-
lism toward carbohydrate changes. Steam sauna is an
important modality in biological regeneration and is used
by athletes and people who do not practice any exercise.
Thus, the aim of the present study was to know the
effects of steam sauna bath on FBGLs in healthy adults.
It can be concluded that there is a significant decrease in
the FBGLs after seven steam saunas.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are thankful to the Dean, Bharati Vidyapeeth
Deemed University Medical College and Hospital for
providing laboratory facility to carry out this work.
They are also thankful to all the 80 subjects who par-
ticipated in the study.
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