Dr. Zaslow weighs benefits of cod plunge, fad.
Article Link: Hot tub or cold plunge? Experts say there are benefits — and risks — to both.
It’s hard to scroll through social media right now without seeing a celebrity or influencer — among them, Jelly Roll, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper and Josh Brolin — rave about cold plunges, aka the practice of soaking in ice-cold water.
While cold plunges may be the wellness trend du jour, there’s still something to be said for that other form of water therapy: the hot tub. In fact, new research highlights the benefits of taking a steamy soak — and shows how it compares to the chillier alternative.
What the study says
The study, which is being presented at the Integrative Physiology of Exercise conference, had young adult male athletes do 50 minutes of high-intensity interval running before soaking in a cold-water tub (at 59 degrees Fahrenheit), soaking in hot water (at 104 degrees Fahrenheit) or simply sitting, without being in water.
What is a cold plunge, and what are its benefits?
There may be some perks of cold plunging, “but very little research has confirmed the advantages,” Dr. Tracy Zaslow, primary care sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles and a team physician for Angel City Football Club and LA Galaxy, tells Yahoo Life. Zaslow says it’s not clear why cold plunging may help people. “Maybe it’s changes in adrenaline or cortisol — or even dopamine,” she says.
One analysis of pre-existing studies published last year found that cold water therapy helps with soreness after exercise. Cold plunges may also help lower inflammation in the body, according to another study. But Zaslow says a lot of research still needs to be done.
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