Believe it or not, an hour-long soak in a hot bath can deliver calorie-burning benefits equivalent to a brisk 30-minute walk. Researchers at Loughborough University uncovered this unexpected finding in a controlled study.
For the experiment, one group immersed themselves in a 40°C bath for one hour, while another cycled vigorously on an exercise bike for 30 minutes. Both groups enjoyed a light meal afterward, followed by measurements of body temperature and energy expenditure.
The bath group saw their energy expenditure rise by 80%, with body temperatures increasing by one degree across all participants. Although cyclists burned more calories overall, the study equated the bath's effects to half an hour of walking. Notably, blood sugar levels remained more stable post-bath.
Photo: Getty Images. Source: Travel & Leisure
