Turn up the heat! Don't ignore the health benefits of being warm

'Cold plunges' have become popular as a remedy for a variety of health concerns. But it's heat and warmth that can really help your body thrive.

Nicole Saphier, M.D., is a board certified radiologist with advanced fellowship training in breast imaging, Fox News medical contributor and bestselling author of "Make America Healthy Again" and "Panic Attack: Playing Politics with Science in the Fight Against COVID-19." Follow her on Twitter @NBSaphierMD and Instagram @nicolesaphier_md.

Many supporters of cold plunges attribute a myriad of health advantages to hopping in the cold water, ranging from enhanced immune function to accelerated recovery after exercise and there may be some truth to it. However, a closer look reveals much of the supporting evidence is anecdotal, and the placebo effect may play a significant role. The reality is, and we see this in scientific discovery all the time, the power of belief and expectation can influence subjective perceptions of well-being, making it difficult to separate genuine physiological effects from the emotional impact of the practice.