The cold shower, miracle cure for all your problems? In any case, many benefits are attributed to it, to the point that it is easy to get lost. Here’s how to separate the cool from the hot!
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For several years, the cold shower has regularly made the front page of well-being magazines and continues to be praised on the social networkssocial networks : boosted immune system, better recovery after sport, calorie burning… We decipher the list of supposed benefits of a cold shower for you! Do not try without the advice of a doctor if you suffer from health problems, particularly cardiovascular problems.
True or false, cold shower promotes blood circulation?
TRUE ! Cold shower can promote blood circulation. When the body is exposed to cold water, blood vessels constrict, then dilate again as the body warms up. This process, called vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation, can help stimulate blood flow.
True or false, cold shower strengthens the immune system?
No consensus here. A study published in 2011 in Biochema Medica shows significant variations in the blood parameters of 15 people after swimming in cold water. There is a significant increase in the number of red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT). However, from a shower at 15 degrees to a lake in the open winterwinter, there is a milestone that we will not cross. A priori, nothing indicates comparable results after a simple shower.
A study carried out in the Netherlands and published in 2017 in PLoS One had, of course, revealed that people who took cold showers for 30, 60 or 90 seconds for 90 days missed work 29% less than people who did not take cold showers… but this The decrease was not significant enough to be considered statistically significant over a 90-day period.
The results do not allow a categorical conclusion that cold showers have a lasting impact on reducing sick days. Finally, let’s not forget: responses to cold can vary from one person to another depending on various factors (geneticgeneticcondition physicalphysical, comorbiditiescomorbidities possible). These limitations therefore call into question the generalization of the results to the entire population.
True or false, cold showers improve mental health?
True and false. Exposure to cold, such as from a cold shower, can trigger the release of endorphins, often called hormoneshormones happiness “. These endorphinsendorphins can help improve mood and reduce feelings of stressstress. However, these benefits may be offset by individual factors such as cold tolerance, personal preferences, and mood.
True or false, does a cold shower soothe muscle pain?
TRUE. The vasoconstrictor effect of cold can reduce blood circulation to affected areas, which can alleviate painpain of inflammation. Additionally, exposure to cold can temporarily numb the area, providing relief analgesicanalgesic.
True or false, cold shower promotes muscle recovery after sport?
Fake. A study published in 2020 in the Journal of Physiology looked at how cooling after exercise can affect how muscles use dietary protein to repair themselves. The results showed that immersion in cold water after exercise decreases the ability of muscles to use these proteinsproteins to build new proteins. Bottom line: If you’re looking to increase your muscle mass, it’s best to avoid a cold shower after exercise. And if you can’t do without it, wait at least 20 minutes to avoid a too sudden change in temperature which could cause discomfort or even discomfort.
