[bluGill]

Problem is sauna use and genetic factors corrolate too strongly to make any conclusion to the broader population. If you live in/near Finland you likely sauna often, as have all your ancestors for thousands of years. If you don't live there both are false. Thus we can't know if Sauna is helpful for the general population who isn't of a Finish background.

[shevy-java]

Japan has a +4 years lead of life expectancy over Finland; Norway almost +3 years on Finland. I am not saying this is conclusive per se, but to me the sauna-people-live-forever is not backed up by the data. I would instead reason that, e. g. weight correlates a lot more here.

[smileysteve]

Your comparison reads to suggest that Japan doesn't have Onsen culture or that sauna does not exist in Norway.

That's to say, many cultures from around the globe have developed similar activities that heat the body.

[Tor3]

Saunas are common in Norway, even if not to the same degree as in Finland. The reason Finland has had a lower life expectancy than Norway is believed to be due to the difference in diet (cardivascular issues). Note that the diet in Finland has changed quite a lot over the last decades and these differences will presumably level out, statistically.

[bluGill]

Nobody is claiming they live forever. The claim is sauna use increases lifespan. There are other factors than just sauna use in lifespan though. The question is would the Japanese live even longer if they were using a sauna?

[gonzalohm]

A lot of Mediterranean countries also have high life expectancy and are the opposite of a sauna culture.

[kyriakosel]

Cyprus summers are like 45C and its almost like a sauna :)

[GordonS]

Maybe eating a lot of fish, rather than meat, has an impact too.