Summary
Are infrared saunas as effective as traditional ones?
If you've ever sat sweating on a wooden bench in a traditional ('Finnish') sauna wondering if there was an easier way, could infrared be the answer? Infrared saunas work at lower temperatures, ostensibly making it easier to stay in there for longer. Listener Paul got in touch after trying one and wants to know if infrared saunas give you the same purported benefits as traditional ones.
Those claims include: improved cardiovascular health, weight loss, longevity and even benefits to mental health and depression. But what's the evidence and does it amount to a load of hot air?
To get the answers, Greg Foot is joined by Professor Chris Minson, an expert in the effects of heat on the body who's carried out research on infrared saunas.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:05.6 | Your time starts now. |
| 0:07.2 | You're about to listen to a BBC podcast. |
| 0:09.4 | Absolutely right. |
| 0:11.5 | So, you might like to know that the BBC makes loads of other podcasts. |
| 0:15.6 | Really? |
| 0:16.4 | Wow. |
| 0:17.2 | Many of them are very funny. |
| 0:19.1 | Which I think means... |
| 0:20.3 | A hatful of ha-hars. And energy. Even if we do very funny. Which I think means a hatful of ha ha haas. |
| 0:21.7 | And energy. |
| 0:38.4 | Even if you do say so ourselves. I agree 100% to that. Find them all on BBC Sounds. Just tell us a joke. Come on, tell us a joke. Tell us a joke. Come on, tell us a joke. Just search comedy on BBC Sounds. I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in. Hello, I'm Greg Foote and welcome to Slice Bread, |
| 0:41.2 | the show that investigates the Wonder Products promising to make you happier, healthier or greener. |
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| 0:55.7 | And today's suggestion comes from Paul James from Nottingham. |
| 0:58.5 | Welcome to the studio, Paul. |
| 0:59.8 | Hi, Greg. |
| 1:00.5 | Tell us the wonder product that you'd like us to investigate today and why. |
| 1:03.8 | I'm really curious to know more about infrared saunas. |
| 1:07.2 | It's a bit of a hot topic at the moment. |
| 1:10.7 | And I'd like to learn more about infrared compared to other types of sauna in particular and how they stand in terms of health benefits. |
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