Questionsauna: an effective way to lose weight or a scam?
AnswerAmy,
Saunas cause you to sweat, losing water weight and becoming dehydrated. Mild dehydration (losing 1 or 2 pounds in the sauna) usually only causes headaches, dizziness, hunger, and tiredness, but losing more water can cause seizures, coma, and death.
If you really are interested, you can measure your percentage of body fat before and after sitting in the sauna. You'll find that your body fat will increase as you lose water.
Finally, if you really love the sauna (and I admit, I visit a sauna all the time in the winter) drink lots of water all day and eat a moderately salty snack, or have a sports drink beforehand. Just watch the sugar in the sports drink-you don't need extra calories, just water and electrolytes (salt and potassium).
