Health Benefit #6: Reduce Weight
Reduce Weight and Cellulite?
As hard as that may be to believe, recent studies have proven that the regular use of hot tubs can aid in the reduction of weight, as well as diminish the appearance of cellulite. This is based from the fact that soaking in a hot tub simulates exercise. The hydrotherapy dilates the blood vessels, promoting better circulation as it relaxes the skin and muscles. It also raises the heart rate, while lowering blood pressure. This seems to indicate that soaking in a hot tub may be healthier for your heart than the traditional methods of exercise.
Cellulite is a kind of fat tissue in the subcutaneous layer of the skin that contains constricting bands of connective tissue. This connective tissue, which varies in thickness and is laced with fat cells, is held in place by a network of fibers that protects our body, cushioning our muscles and organs; it is surrounded by a liquid that both nourishes it and provides it with an effective waste system. When all is working well in the system, waste products are removed and smooth curves result; when fats, fluids and toxins are trapped deep in the skin (below the epidural layer), however, the connective tissue thickens and hardens, giving a dimpling effect. As we mature, the layer of skin thins, resulting in the rippled appearance of cellulite.
What is the difference between cellulite and fat? Though everyone has a smooth layer of fat, individual amounts depend on weight, lifestyle and genetics. This fat layer is an insulator for the body and cushions the organs, muscles and nerves. Cellulite, on the other hand, is lumpy and provides no padding whatsoever. It only occurs in certain areas of the body: the thighs, buttocks, abdomen and breasts. When men get cellulite, it tends to be on the neck and abdomen.
Cellulite is not necessarily a factor of body weight. You don't have to be heavy to have cellulite. Though diet and lifestyle affect cellulite formation, a large part of cellulite is comprised of toxins and fat that builds up in the body, and can affect women of any size, weight and body structure.
The New England Journal of Medicine featured an article in the September 16, 1999 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine in which they monitored a group of participants who were required to soak in a hot tub for thirty minutes a day, six days a week, for three weeks. Though this study was for diabetes research, the results were wide reaching. The patients' weight was reduced by an average of 3.75 pounds each! The subjects lost over one pound per week, just by soaking in a hot tub.
Regular use of hot tubs can also help to diminish the appearance of cellulite. The fatty deposits that typically gather on the hips, thighs, and buttocks of most women past their 30s can never be fully eliminated. The design of a woman's body naturally causes the skin to dimple out, whether she is overweight or thin. However, by improving circulation to the areas affected by cellulite, it has been proven that the appearance of the unsightly deposits can be reduced.
According to a variety of medical sources available on the Internet, the hydrotherapy that a hot tub provides stimulates the blood vessels, increasing circulation. It also tones the body tissue, reduces fluid retention, and relieves swelling. All of these benefits combined can result in the diminishment of the appearance of cellulite.
Further benefits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
