Two thousand Finnish men were followed for twenty years. The ones who used a sauna four to seven times a week had about half the rate of heart death of the once-a-weekers, and forty per cent fewer deaths from any cause. Two or three times a week got roughly half that. Evidence: decent
That's a link in a country where nearly everyone has a sauna, not a trial, so some of it may be that healthier, less stressed men sauna more. The heat itself does things that look like exercise: heart rate up, vessels open, blood pressure lower afterwards. Evidence: decent
If you have heart disease, recent chest pain, or uncontrolled blood pressure, ask a doctor first. Alcohol and sauna don't mix.
Same theme: Recovery and fuel
Recovery and fuel
Cold water after a run, not after the weights
After a long run or match: ten to fifteen minutes in cold water, 11–15°C. After lifting: skip it, or leave it several hours; no trial has tested the gap.
15 minEvidence: decent
Recovery and fuel
Thirty different plants a week
Count types, not portions. Beans, nuts, herbs, seeds, grains, fruit, veg all count. Aim for thirty a week.
no timeEvidence: worth trying