For people who are unable to exercise, a hot water treatment could help improve inflammation and blood sugar (glucose) levels. The findings are published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.


Physical stress such as exercise can cause the short-term elevation of inflammatory markers. After exercise, the level of inflammatory chemical IL-6 rises.


In a process called the inflammatory response, this activates the release of anti-inflammatory substances to combat unhealthily high levels of inflammation, known as chronic low-grade inflammation.


Recent research has shown that raising body temperature augments the inflammatory response and provides a rationale for identifying exercise alternatives that reduce low-grade inflammation in the body.


Previous studies have also found a connection between a spike in body temperature and nitric oxide production, a substance that aids blood flow and helps carry glucose throughout the body.


Researchers studied markers of inflammation and blood sugar and insulin levels in a group of sedentary, overweight men. The volunteers participated in both hot-water immersion and ambient room temperature (control) trials separated by at least three days. -- ANI