A study published in Age and Ageing in 2017, led by Professor Jari Laukkanen and colleagues, investigated the relationship between sauna bathing frequency and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This research, part of the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease (KIHD) study, followed 2,315 healthy men aged 42-60 years for a median of 20.7 years. The study found that higher frequency of sauna use was associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, men who bathed in a sauna 4-7 times per week had a 66% lower risk of dementia and a 65% lower risk of Alzheimer’s compared to those who used the sauna just once a week. These results suggest that frequent heat exposure from sauna bathing may offer neuroprotective benefits.
The researchers controlled for potential confounding factors such as age, alcohol consumption, blood pressure, smoking, and underlying health conditions. While the study provides strong evidence of the benefits of sauna bathing for reducing the risk of cognitive decline, the exact mechanisms are still not fully understood. The study’s findings align with previous research indicating that cardiovascular health impacts brain health, and sauna use may improve both. Further studies are needed to explore how heat exposure specifically affects brain function and memory diseases. However, this research highlights sauna bathing as a potential, accessible lifestyle habit to help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, particularly as part of a broader approach to maintaining cognitive health in aging populations.
