Many health clubs and spas have saunas, and the warmth and quiet can be inviting. Before you risk your health by spending too much time in the heat in an attempt to burn calories, understand how your body responds to a sauna session. Saunas don't burn calories, they make you sweat -- and that doesn't translate into real weight loss.
Weight Loss Myth
It is a common misconception that saunas can help you lose weight. The belief is that the heat liquefies excess fat, allowing you to sweat it out. Various claims have been made that sitting in a sauna actually burns calories -- as many as 500 per session. In reality, there is no proof to support these claims, according to "Canadian Medical Association Journal."
Reality
The myth arises from the minor, temporary loss of fluid that occurs when you sweat for an extended period of time. But this happens whether you sweat in a sauna, during exercise, or even sitting still on a hot day. Former Navy SEAL Stew Smith recounts a swim training session where he and his classmates lost 10 to 12 lbs. each in just a few hours from sweating, according to military.com. However, this doesn't count as weight loss, because the weight comes back as soon as you eat and drink. Your body is dehydrated after a long sauna session. And your body goes into replenishment mode the moment you take a sip of water -- it holds on to every drop of fluid it can until normal hydration levels are regained.
Hazards
There are several health hazards associated with sauna use. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are primary concerns -- but the closed atmosphere also puts you at risk for inhaled infections from other sauna-goers with colds, or even fungal spores from stagnant water. Many athletes use saunas and sauna suits to make weight for an event, but the dehydration can affect performance. Even if excessive dehydration and infections don't get you, sweating out so much fluid leaves you with an electrolyte imbalance that can prove dangerous.
Alternative
You cannot burn enough calories to lose weight while sitting still, no matter how much you sweat. If weight loss is important to you, reduce the number of calories you take in -- and burn more calories with aerobic exercise. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity five days per week . A sauna may be a soothing relaxation aide -- particularly after a workout -- but it is not a valid method of weight loss.
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