The sauna’s claim to fame has been its ability to rid the body of impurities through sweat. A body’s organs supposedly become blocked, causing them fill with toxins. When a person sweats excessively in a sauna or steam room, he or she supposedly is able to get rid of these toxins.

Dr. Rachel Vreeman of Indiana University’s school of Medicine debunks this detoxification myth in her book, Don't Swallow Your Gum! Myths, Half-Truths and Outright Lies About Your Body and Health.

"The term 'detoxify' is used so often that it makes people think that special steps need to be taken so 'detoxifying' happens. Your body, however, does not need special cleansing efforts,” Vreeman told Health Day.

Too much heat exposure can lead to a slew of health problems including fatigue, nausea and stroke, not to mention extreme dehydration and an inability for the body to cool itself—the real purpose for sweating. Some might misread these symptoms for detoxification.

"Vomiting, thirst, dizziness, being uncoordinated or clumsy are all signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke,” Vreeman told Health Day. “Heat illness can kill you and should be treated as an emergency."

While there may be other benefits to spending time in the sauna, Vreeman says detoxification just isn’t one of them. “What it does need,” she says, “is for you to get enough fluids and to eat a healthy, balanced diet."

When it comes to cleansing the body of toxins, it’s best to leave it to itself.

Find more health myths in Don't Swallow Your Gum!, co-written by Drs. Rachel Vreeman and Aaron Carroll.