Can ice baths improve your health?
Ask the doctor
I'm mesmerized by people who purposely sit in cold water to ostensibly improve their health. Are there any benefits?Before plunging in, you should know that ice baths can be risky. Hypothermia can begin to set in within minutes of being immersed in water less than 65°. And sudden submersion in water that's 60° or lower can shock your body, causing rapid breathing, involuntary gasping, and spikes in heart rate and blood pressure. Never take an ice bath without someone nearby, and stay in for a maximum of 15 minutes.
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About the Author
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
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