Regular sauna visits reduce the risk of dementia

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The risk of dementia seriously increases with age. According to the Alzheimer's Association, the risk of the disease doubles every five years after age 65. However, there are certain steps you can take to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment.

Visiting a sauna may be helpful in preventing the development of dementia, according to a study. A cohort study in Finland used data from nearly 14,000 middle-aged people who had not previously been diagnosed with dementia.

When a team from the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare compared data on comparing the health of those who used a sauna nine to 12 times a month with data from those who used a sauna four or fewer times a month, they found that sauna users had a reduced risk of dementia.

“During the first 20 years of follow-up, those who reported nine to 12 sauna visits per month had a 50% lower risk of dementia than those who used saunas up to four times a month,” the team says.

Scientists emphasize that the effect decreased over time, but even after almost 40 years certain differences were recorded. Accordingly, frequent sauna use, approximately three times per week, may be associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Scientists add that further research is needed to confirm the benefits of visiting a sauna.