Showering in cold water? Here are its benefits for your health
Although the scientific community is not clear on the answer, it is recognized that showering in cold water can improve your overall well-being (and save costs).
There are many elite athletes who recognized the shower in cold water. Rafael Nadal He does this an hour before each game, while Cristiano Ronaldo And Pau Gasol They prefer to leave it until after the game when they go to the locker room.
But it seems that this habit is spreading more and more throughout the population: some are trying to follow their idols, others are looking for them. Benefit for health. But is showering in cold water really beneficial? Let’s see what the answer is the science.
Improved blood circulation
Apply fresh water on your feet, especially at the end of the day, can be a big help for people with appeal. This gesture will cause the blood vessels to constrict, increasing venous return, reducing leg swelling and therefore improving blood flow.
This will also lead to an increase heart rate and it can lead to increased blood pressure, so hypertensive patients should be careful when using it.
Healthy hair
Many people strive to have stronger and healthier hair and to achieve this they resort to all sorts of supplements or special shampoos. But few people know that washing hair with hot water weakens hair and its follicles, so regulate temperature could be a good start to improve hair health and also prevent dandruff.
Firmer skin
Although the skin on our body is not exactly the same, in areas such as the eyelids it is 0.05 mm thick, and on the soles of the feet it is up to 5 mm. water temperature with which we wash it. Hot water expands the pores, which helps the skin dry out and take on a flaky appearance, and also causes a loss of firmness and elasticity, accelerating the appearance of wrinkles.
Improves concentration
Fresh water shower in the morning transparent better than a cup of coffee, not only because of the fear you feel, but also because it will trigger the release of neurotransmitters such as adrenaline and norepinephrine. These two powerful stimulants have a direct effect on attention and memory.
Is it possible to shower in cold water?
This will depend on whether the person has any medical condition that makes it inappropriate, but if not, Showering in cold water does not pose a health risk. nor will it cause significant side effects.
Pathologies for which it is not recommended to take a shower with cold water: Raynaud’s syndrome, cryoglobulinemia And cardiovascular diseases for example, hypertension or heart disease.
Why does applying cold soothe pain?
When we apply cold to the skin, we feel that the area is asleep, numbed, and there is an explanation for this. When the skin temperature drops to 8-12°C, nerve conduction slows down, pain signals coming from this area to the brain slow down, which leads to pain reduction. This is why it is recommended, for example, for injuries or after dental operations.
Does cold relieve itching?
true. For dermatitis, allergies or insect bites, applying local cold will relieve pain. unpleasant itching sensation. This is due to two factors: one, which we have already explained, which involves slowing nerve conduction, and another, which reduces local inflammation by limiting the cells’ release of inflammatory substances.
What does the scientific evidence say?
Scientific research on the health benefits of cold water showers is limited, it is an under-researched topic, and therefore there is no definitive answer from the scientific community. But what is more than recognized is beneficial effects of cold relate to certain health problems, especially at the level of pathology of the musculoskeletal system. At a local level this is recommended, but at a general health level we don’t have a clear answer at the moment, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be helpful.