Health
6 Benefits of ice bath and side effects
Discover the 6 benefits of ice bath and side effects.
Some would never dare to try an ice bath, but some consider ice baths to be a very important part of recovery after exercise.
More and more high-level sports facilities already have specific areas for this practice. So should you incorporate this technique into your exercise routine?
In this article, we will see the benefits of ice baths, for which people it is most suitable, some tips to keep in mind, and its possible side effects.
Benefits of the ice bath
1. Ice baths help the recovery process
After exercising, the body pumps out oxygen and detoxifies itself. Specifically, it removes compounds such as lactic acid, which cause fatigue and pain.
Lactic acid is created after the breakdown of glucose in the body, and the more intense the exercise, the more lactic acid is created.
An ice bath causes blood vessels to constrict, helping the body drain lactic acid. They also reduce swelling. When you get out of the ice water, the blood vessels widen again and let a rush of “fresh” blood through. This blood contains higher levels of oxygen, which can accelerate the recovery of worked muscles.
2. Limits the inflammatory response
Cooling down muscles after exercise can reduce the muscle inflammatory response by causing vasoconstriction, thus limiting the volume of blood flow to the muscles.
Ultimately, this effect can blunt the effects of DOMS, meaning you’re less likely to experience significant muscle soreness and stiffness post-workout.
3. Reduces the effects of heat and humidity
Taking an ice bath before a race in hot and humid conditions can help boost performance.
The human body does not perform at its best when it is too hot or too cold, and this technique helps to lower the body temperature before exercise, thus helping with homeostasis and regulation of body temperature during the race, also helping to improve the performance afterward.
4. Acts as temporary pain relief
The cold of an ice bath can acutely relieve soreness and pain simply by “making the body feel good” by releasing endorphins. This is not a long-term tactic, but it can be of great help if you want acute relief from muscle pain.
5. Boosts metabolism and immune system
The increased metabolism of ice baths is associated with the increased metabolic energy that must be expended to raise and maintain body temperature, and this effect can last long after the bath itself.
There are also studies suggesting that ice baths and cold water therapy can help boost your immune system, although more research is still needed in this area.
6. Helps sleep better
Ice baths help lower body temperature and facilitate the release of melatonin, two factors that contribute to quality sleep. This method can be especially effective during the hotter months to cool down before bed.
How long should an ice bath last for recovery?
Experts suggest that spending about 10 minutes in a tub of cold water should be enough, with about 15 minutes being the limit.
Do not be more than 15 minutes, because the blood vessels shouldn’t be tense for so long. For the ice bath to be effective, it should be taken about 20 minutes after training.
Who should use ice baths?
People who engage in intense workouts regularly can benefit from an ice bath. If you feel fatigued or have muscle weakness, taking an ice bath after you exercise might help.
Athletes who do intense training before a competition or match often find that ice baths can help prevent loss of strength and power before the event.
If you are a casual athlete or train at a low intensity, it is unlikely that you will feel the effects of an ice bath.
Can an ice bath replace a protein shake?
While an ice bath helps the recovery process in terms of detoxification and oxygenation of the muscles, it does not do the same thing as a protein shake.
Protein shakes provide protein to muscles to help gain muscle mass and speed up the repair of micro-tears in muscle tissue. Of course, both things complement each other.
Tips for taking an ice bath
Start gradually
If you think ice baths could help you achieve your goals, but you’re not sure you can handle the cold, you can always increase the intensity progressively.
For starters, you can try taking a cold shower or massaging your muscles with ice for 10-20 minutes after exercise.
When you’re ready to try a proper ice bath, fill a bathtub halfway with cold water. Next, empty about 2-3 large grocery store ice bags.
Don’t submerge your whole body on the first try. You can try submerging your legs or try sitting in the bathtub with water up to your waist. You can try it after an intense leg workout to get the most out of its benefits.
After you have tried several times, gradually submerge your body in the tub until you can stand the water up to your neck. Do not submerge your head at any time.
Time
For maximum benefit, the ice bath should be taken within 20 minutes of exercise. The optimal duration of the bath is 10 minutes, and the time limit underwater is 15 minutes before it begins to be unsafe for health.
skin exposure
Wearing a wetsuit would be redundant because it would keep you insulated from the cold and keep you warm. The skin must be fully exposed to the ice water to take full advantage of the benefits of the ice bath.
Temperature
The optimum temperature for an ice bath is around 10 degrees Celsius, although some sources cite a range of 2 to 16 degrees Celsius as also effective.
Does it have side effects?
Overexposure
Overexposure to ice baths can cause adverse effects such as hypothermia and frostbite, so there is a recommended time limit for this methodology.
Risk for people with high blood pressure
If you have an underlying medical condition, you should consult your doctor before trying things like ice baths.
Some studies suggest that an ice bath can increase blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems in hypertensive people.
However, some studies also suggest that only a modest acute rise in diastolic blood pressure occurs, so the risk should be minimal.
Risk for diabetics
There are times when poor blood circulation is associated with diabetes, so ice baths may not be a very good idea, as they can dangerously limit blood circulation to the extremities. If you suffer from diabetes you should consult your doctor before trying ice baths.
Conclusion
Ice baths can be an effective recovery method, but should not be used to compensate for lack of sleep, diet, or training. They are simply one more tool in our toolbox to improve exercise practice.
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Discover the 15 good reasons to drink lemon juice in the morning on an empty stomach.
Lemon is one of the most frequently and widely used citrus fruits.
Its popularity is due to its scent and refreshing taste.
Its aroma makes it an ingredient of choice in many recipes and the composition of perfumes.
It also accompanies a large number of drinks, including tea and cocktails, it can also be served as fruit juice.
Not only is lemon used for its aromatic qualities, but also its therapeutic dimension.
Rich in vitamin C, lemon indeed has formidable therapeutic virtues: its Antiviral and antibacterial properties as well as its ability to stimulate the immune system are widely recognized.
One of the most common ways to reap the benefits of lemon is by squeezing the juice.
Lemon juice stimulates digestion and has a detoxifying action.
It also promotes drainage of the liver and thus improves digestion.
By its ability to boost metabolism, lemon juice is an effective way to lose weight.
If you want to lose weight, drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water every morning on an empty stomach gives fabulous results.
But that’s not all, nutrition specialists at the Edison Institute of Nutrition have compiled a list of the main benefits of consuming lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water on an empty stomach:
1. An excellent source of vitamin C, lemon juice protects the body by strengthening the immune system.
2. Drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water every morning on an empty stomach helps maintain pH balance in the body.
3. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, lemon juice helps fight infections.
4. Has a detoxifying action.
5. Promotes digestion.
6. Besides vitamin C, lemon is also an excellent source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, etc.
7. Helps fight colds.
8. Lemon water is a well-known remedy for dealing with different skin problems like acne, rashes, wrinkles, or dark spots.
9. Mixed with lukewarm water, lemon juice stimulates digestion, boosts metabolism, and thus allows you to lose weight quickly.
10 Lemon juice is also very effective in removing toxins that have accumulated in the liver.
11. The anti-inflammatory properties of lemon help fight infections of the respiratory tract, sore throat, and inflammation of the tonsils.
12. Rich in electrolytes, lemon juice effectively hydrates the body.
13. Drinking lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water decreases muscle and joint pain.
14. Lemon juice in lukewarm water promotes good dental hygiene because it helps decrease dental pain and prevent gingivitis.
15. Drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water stimulates digestion and regulates intestinal transit.
SOME QUESTIONS / ANSWERS AND COMMENTS :
Q. Out of curiosity… my cousin is allergic to lemon. Does lime have the same virtues?
A. Yes, you can substitute lemon for lime.
I had to stop drinking lemon water for a month because I was sick. The joint pain I got rid of before all came back.
So I started drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water again every morning on an empty stomach.
Now after a week, and it’s true, my pain in my knees is gone !!!!
It’s amazing! Lemon is indeed very alkalizing and promotes the elimination of acids.
Also, it contains a lot of vitamin C, which is good for the joints.
Some people suffer from vitamin C deficiency and need to be sure to find it in their diet or supplements.
Q. After drinking lemon juice in lukewarm water in the morning on an empty stomach, how long should I wait to eat?
A. I recommend that you wait 20 to 30 minutes before eating.
Q. Why does lemon juice need to be mixed with lukewarm water? Is lemon juice also beneficial in cold water?
A. Lukewarm water stimulates digestion and the liver.
Coldwater does the opposite, it blocks digestion.
So it is best to consume lemon juice in lukewarm water.
Q. How many lemons should you squeeze in the morning to benefit from the benefits of this fruit?
A. I suggest squeezing half a lemon in a large glass of lukewarm water (25cl).
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Citric acid and vitamin C promote the dissolution of gallstones, their elimination, as well as the clearing of the bile ducts.
Lemon juice has been used for centuries in the treatment of kidney stones and gallstones.
Lemon also has antimicrobial properties that help reduce gallbladder infections and relieve pain.
The pectin in lemon juice relieves bloating, nausea and pain.
Besides, lemon juice helps reduce the production of cholesterol by the liver.
Q. Hello. I have a question: I have thyroid problems, can I drink lemon juice in lukewarm water?
A. Yes. You can drink lemon juice in lukewarm water if you are suffering from thyroid problems.
Q. I take medicine on an empty stomach every morning for a thyroid problem. Should I take this medicine before drinking lemon water or after?
A. Since lemon water is absorbed relatively quickly by the body, I recommend that you take your medicine soon after drinking the lemon water.
Joint pain is associated with poor digestion and allergic reactions to certain foods.
Lemon water promotes digestion and the elimination of toxins.
If your teeth are prone to demineralization and are very sensitive, I advise you to drink lemon water through a straw.
Discover The Miracle Cure Against Mosquito Bite.
Have you been bitten by a mosquito again?
They have the gift of stinging us when we spend a quiet evening on the terrace!
And then, hello the itching!
We only want one thing, and that is to scratch ourselves to the point of blood. It’s super annoying!
Fortunately, my grandmother gave me her natural remedy to quickly relieve a mosquito bite.
The miracle trick is to apply a paste of baking soda and witch hazel water. Look :
What you need
- baking soda
- witch hazel water
- cup
How to do
- Put three teaspoons of baking soda in a cup.
- Pour a teaspoon of witch hazel water
- Mix to obtain a paste.
- Apply the paste to the bite.
- Leave on.
Results
And there you have it, thanks to this remedy, you have stopped the itching of mosquito bites in their tracks 🙂
Easy, fast, and efficient, isn’t it?
It is a simple treatment that makes the sting deflate and disappear quickly!
This remedy is completely natural and very gentle. It is ideal for the fragile skin of children and babies.
And you don’t even need Apaisyl cream … it’s much more economical that way.
In addition, it works for all insect bites: mosquitoes, spiders, horseflies…
Why does it work?
Baking soda soothes the itchiness. It acts as an antiseptic and disinfectant. It thus calms the inflammation caused by the sting.
Witch hazel water also disinfects the sting and soothes the itchy sensation.
It also refreshes the skin and heals the irritated part thus bringing an immediate feeling of well-being.
We also find witch hazel in the composition of calming gels after insect bites from Hansaplast.
What is witch hazel?
Witch hazel is a plant native to North America.
Witch hazel water comes from the indirect distillation of dried witch hazel leaves. It takes about 60 kilos of leaves to get a thousand liters of water.
The many benefits of witch hazel have been recognized for a very long time.
It helps disinfect wounds. Applied in massage, it is an effective venous tonic and stimulates blood circulation.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties and as such, it relieves rheumatic and arthritis pain.
It is also an asset in your beauty kit. Used in rinsing water, it eliminates dandruff.
Finally, it is also found in perfumery, because its smell is very pleasant. It is similar to that of cut grass with a hint of mint in addition.
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