This is ideal at this time of year when viruses are circulating…
Not too long, not every day, rather in the evening… The recommendations in terms of showers continue to abound.Short showers of 3 to 4 minutes maximum with soap (bar soap or liquid) focusing particularly on the groin area, genitals, armpits and feet are ideal.“, advised us during a previous exchange Dr. Sylvie Meaume, dermatologist and Head of the Geriatrics Wounds and Healing Department (AP-HP Rothschild). What is less well known is that the temperature of the water is also important for health, particularly for strengthening immunity. And the stronger our immune system, the less risk we have of getting sick…
Egyptian researchers, whose analysis results were published in the journal Thermal Biology in September, followed 60 healthy adults (30 men and 30 women aged 18 to 45) who were divided into two groups: the first group was asked to take a hot shower every day for 3 months, while the second group was asked to take a cold shower every day. Levels of immunoglobulins, cytokines and interferon gamma – antibodies that balance our immune system and help defend the body against infections – were measured in blood samples at the start of the study and then at 30, 60 and 90 days.
At the end of the follow-up, the researchers showed a significant increase in immunoglobulin levels in people in the “cold shower” group. They also had better humoral immunity, a type of immunity that protects us from infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. Conversely, the “hot shower” group showed a significant decrease in immunoglobulin levels at 60 and 90 days compared to the initial value.
“This lifestyle change, accessible to all and sustainable, could potentially serve as an alternative therapy to strengthen immunity, particularly in the case of diseases involving dysregulated immune responses, such as autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vitiligo, Crohn’s disease, etc.)“. However, further research in larger populations is needed to better understand the physiological effects of cold temperatures on immunity, the researchers point out.
In the study, they did not specify at what temperature the participants should take their shower, but the research estimates that a shower is “cold” when the water does not exceed 20°C or even 15°C. Be careful, however, not to subject the body to too violent a shock. The safest thing to do is to proceed in stages by applying the jet of cold water first to the parts of the body furthest from the heart (the feet and legs) then gradually moving up to the torso. You can also start with a hot/lukewarm shower and then gradually lower the temperature so that the body gets used to it.