Heat: Cold shower – when it is healthy and when it is dangerous

When the sun burns on the skin, the sweat flows out of the pores and boils the brain, the body screams after cooling. Some already provide a cold drink relief, others rely on tougher measures: (ice) cold showers. It’s not a good idea. Cold showers are not healthy per se. A fact check.

The cold shower in heat may look refreshing for a short moment, but the effect does not last long. After the short cooling, the body quickly heats up. In the case of cold, the body merges welding pores and blood vessels to counteract the temperature drop. After the cold shower, the body tries to get back to its core temperature quickly. Due to the necessary increased energy expenditure, we sweat even more. And: The extreme temperature difference can also burden the circulation.

The fact that cold showers are good for the immune system and ensure that we are less susceptible to get sick is an assertion that is naturally spread. So far, it has not been possible to demonstrate that they actually strengthen the defense. Because studies on the topic were carried out, but these were not representative. Among other things, the results of an older study by the University of Jena showed that regular cold breasts, the number of immortelitized cells could be increased at least at short notice. However, it is not proven whether this contributes to being more defensive against colds.

For example, a research team from the Netherlands found that people who regularly shower coldly reported sick. However, the study participants showed as long as the symptoms of illness as the participants who were still warm shower. It is therefore believed that cold showering does not prevent illness, but could weaken disease courses. So whether cold showers actually have an effect on how often and how long we are cold is not proven – but not excluded either.

That’s right, but it is not just to be considered positively. Because in fact the body reacts to the sudden cold with stress. This releases noradrenaline, which ensures increased pulse and high blood pressure. This puts the body into a kind of HAB-Eight position, so to speak. A natural reaction to stress that prepares for a possibly impending struggle or escape. An effect that can be perceived as invigorating, sometimes even euphoric. However, researchers from the Czech Republic were able to observe that a habituation effect occurs. Anyone who regularly showered coldly, as part of the study there were at least three cold showers a week, became less sensitive to the cold over time and also reacted less stressed. Thus, the vitalizing effect also subsided. But this study is also too small to draw reliable scientific conclusions.

That’s correct. An analysis of several studies showed that cold showering can actually contribute against sore muscles and other symptoms after sport. A bath in 15 degrees cold water was an effective means of regeneration – but not as effective as massages or stretching.

The data situation is thin and unacceptable, but there is indications that cold showering of mental health can be beneficial. The cold stimuli activates, among other things, brain areas, which are also responsible for feelings of happiness, as is also responsible for sympathy, as an older study by the University of Virginia showed. Experts assume that overcoming the “inner bastard”, leaving the comfort zone and the necessary discipline can also contribute to an improvement in mental health.

Anyone who has put themselves in a mountain stream once knows how painful it can be. Especially for “beginners”, cold can initially be perceived as very uncomfortable. In the course of a study, participants told symptoms such as dizziness, cramps and itching. The most common side effect (13 percent) was continued to complain about cold hands and feet. Cases of serious consequences in healthy people are not yet known. But cold stimuli can be dangerous. Caution should also be exercised when it comes to ice bathing. Because cold can worsen existing diseases and increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The likelihood of suffering a heart attack or stroke increases. Older and healthy people, especially with cardiovascular diseases, should only take cold showers after consultation with the doctor.