26/64 day cold plunge

Rainy day with the air temperature at about 33°F, the water temperature was at about 26°F. I managed to pull off 5 minutes.

Reducing inflamation is another great benefit of a daily cold plunge.
Inflammation is at the root of nearly every modern, chronic illness. Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disease, and even cancer can all be connected with the body’s inability to keep up with the bombardment of inflammation we experience on a day-to-day basis. The most significant cold plunge benefit is that it has been shown to reduce inflammation.

When the body gets exposed to cold water, it triggers vasoconstriction. Vasoconstriction causes the narrowing of the blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the extremities and redirects it to the vital organs.3 This response reduces inflammation by reducing the amount of blood flow to the inflamed or affected area, which reduces swelling and pain.

Cold water immersion also has been shown to reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body. Cytokines are proteins involved in the immune system response. They are the front line defense that signal the immune system to send the troops to fight bacteria or viruses that enter the body.

If your inflammatory response and cytokines can’t tell the difference between healthy cells and a foreign invader, too many cytokines build up and lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease.

The vasoconstriction response and reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of cold water immersion. Incorporating cold plunges into a regular health and wellness routine may benefit individuals with chronic inflammation.