The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has written that “It’s not chicken soup. Believe it or not, a much more unorthodox therapy of warm-and-cold showers has recently been proposed–though not proven–for the prevention of the common cold.” The article goes on to identify water therapy researcher Edzard Ernst, M.D., who wrote about shower therapy: “An efficient, practical and inexpensive prophylaxis [preventive measure] against one of the most frequent (and ‘expensive’) diseases has been identified at last.” In a 1987 research study comparing a “cold shower”group with a control group for 6 months, Ernst found that the cold shower group’s colds were “significantly fewer, significantly milder, and slightly shorter.”
Well, even if not “proven” to the FDA’s satisfaction yet, cold showers are worth considering as flu season looms ever closer, and here is some research evidence. As noted before in this space, however, cold showers may not be for you if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or a circulation problem, so always check with your doctor first!
9 Comments
January 3, 2009 at 1:25 am
Well, I take cold baths. Can the FDA recommend cold baths during this cold and flu season? I feel this should have been mentioned years ago when so many people were getting sick. I feel there would be more healthier people. Cold baths are so powerful and effective against colds and flu. It strenghtens the immune system, the lymphatic system, and the mucous membrane. Along with nasal cleansing, the practice of taking cold baths is a perfect weapon against allergies and asthma.
May 16, 2009 at 3:24 pm
is a cold bath as beneficial as a hot bath for reducing blood pressure. Thanks,Norm
May 16, 2009 at 8:10 pm
In the long run, cold showers normalize blood pressure – lowering too high pressure and increasing too low pressure.
But it is also true that initially during a cold shower, blood pressure spikes momentarily. Therefore one should not take cold showers with uncontrolled blood pressure, meaning untreated hypertension or sky-high pressures. If you are on a pill and reasonably controlled (meaning your doctor seems more or less satisfied), you can take cold showers.
As to full baths – warm or cold – they are less beneficial than a shower since the water pressure on the abdomen puts additional burden on the heart. Also, the hotter the water temperature, the greater the dangers of high pressure.
The mechanism that in the long run lowers blood pressure (and increases immunity – among other benefits) is not so much the cold but cold-warm difference. The body reacts to the new situation. That reaction, repeated with every hot shower that ends with a cold one, “trains” blood vessels and immune system into greater efficiency, leading to normalized blood pressure and fewer colds.
Alexa Fleckenstein M.D.
June 19, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Now that I found out how beneficial cold showers are compared to baths, I decided to continue taking my showers from now on. Is there a certain time of year where cold showers always begin with hot is is that year-round.
June 24, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Leon,
Whether to take first a hot shower or do only a cold shower has mostly to do with climate and season.
I just came back from Israel where I could not get really cold water out of the faucet – hard as I tried. So I did longer cold showers every morning – except when I needed to wash my hair.
In Maine, I assure you, the cold water from the well at our cabin always takes your breath away – even in the hottest of summers.
There is one more argument against cold baths and for cold showers: Baths use up more water. And we all are into conserving water – once we have experienced the bliss of cold showers.
A nice compromise are Happy Half Baths: You fill about 1 to 2 inches of water in the tub, and sit there 1 to 2 minutes (or longer, if you wish). It is very good against varicose veins and for increasing health “down there”. And the same water can be used several times a day. I usually change every day. The Happy Half Bath is a great summer break.
Alexa Fleckenstein M.D.
July 28, 2009 at 1:57 am
Despite our hot southern summers in Australia I have succumbed to almost constant colds and viral infections for years, since my kids were born, and felt my 44yo immune system was really struggling. I also suffered from extremely poor circulation, cold hands and feet, and felt the cold very much.
Then, on a sudden whim 4 months ago, I started taking only cold showers, in our southern Autumn, and I have continued right through our colder-than-usual winter, enduring some very icy and breathtakingly cold water mornings.
And now, apart from an odd sniffle or slightly sore throat that quickly departs, I haven’t had a cold or flu since. In fact I’m scarcely feeling the cold at all – I walk out of the house each morning without a shiver (or a coat), and see others complain about the cold around me.
I generally feel amazing!
I can safely say I will never stop now. I don’t see the point of not doing it now and our latest water and energy bills dropped radically so I figure I’m benefiting the environment as well as our purse.
Just need to convince the kids and husband now.
July 28, 2009 at 3:17 pm
That is so wonderful, Julie! Spread the word in Australia (one of my favorite countries – I remember fondly a summer in Tasmania)!
Alexa Fleckenstein M.D.
August 11, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I have been taking cold showers for years, love it. In the summer, I almost never use hot water. I like it best in the winter, then the water is truly cold. Anyone know how to make a shower colder?
August 14, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Dear Bill,
My best advice it to go to Maine (or a similar northern country) in the summer – I am there presently, and take a swim every single day in the frigid ocean – a bliss!
I fear the day where the cold water idea will latch on and people will invent machines that cool the water down that comes from a faucet…
Summer is a short season – enjoy what it brings to you. And then look forward to wonderfully cold winter! Showering in season – you could take it as the equivalent of eating in season.
Alexa Fleckenstein M.D.