Sauna and cold plunge: where does the evidence stand?

Saunas and cold plunge pools are popping up everywhere in the UK, bringing fiery heat and icy cold to a beach, city farm or park near you. Their users will be ready with all the reasons why it’s good for both the mind and the body. But what’s the evidence for the benefits of sauna and cold plunge? Madeleine Finlay hears from Ian Sample and from Dr Heather Massey, associate professor at the University of Portsmouth’s extreme environments laboratory. • This episode was amended on 13 July 2026. An earlier version referred to Finnish fjords, but there are no fjords in Finland. The reference has been replaced.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod