Oxygen bar

An oxygen bar (or " oxygen filling station" ) is a device on which you can breathe owned by an oral essay or a kind of nasal prongs 50 to 99 % oxygen. This is to health and well-being are positively influenced. Commercially also known as oxygen showers are available, where similar effects are attributed.

Oxygen Bars have been around since the early 1980s in many Asian cities such as Tokyo, where people suffer daily from smog and air pollution. Since 1997, this trend spread to America, where the first bar was opened in Los Angeles.

Prices range from € 0.25 / 1 min (Copenhagen ), 0.5 € / 1 min (Japan ) to about 1 € / min ( U.S.).

Effect

Inhaled air is normally composed of 78 % nitrogen, 1 % argon and 21 % oxygen, but from him in the same breath, only a quarter will actually consumed. A higher oxygen content in the air will lead to better performance and concentration as well as improved blood circulation. Promised including improving the body's immune system, improve exercise capacity and a variety of positive effects in the " health and beauty " section.

Criticism

Normally, the blood is sufficiently saturated with oxygen (standard values ​​depending on age is 92 to 100 percent). Excess oxygen is exhaled again. The effects mentioned above are not scientifically justified and based on suggestive effects. For long-term oxygen therapy are the " showers " inappropriate. The air problem in urban areas is not in the lack of oxygen, but in a high pollution (nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, ozone). Even with smog, the oxygen content of the air is sufficient.

In addition, the risk of infection, pre-existing conditions there may occur a deterioration of health.