In this study, participants breathed air pumped into a small chamber, sometimes with air from a room with lit candles. The participants did not know what they were breathing and did not know if the air contained candle smoke, yet each instance of a participant breathing in the air with candle smoke reflected a positive change in cardiac activity.
Dr. Isaxon suspects that the healthy benefits from the candle smoke come from the particles of sodium and potassium that form when the wick is burning.
The effects of the all natural candle smoke in the air are particularly helpful for seniors and persons with heart disease.
What about the soot from the wick burning?
Soot from candles has been contributed to various health problems in the past, but this study did not find any negative effects of breathing in the soot, although Dr. Christina Isaxon admits that she was not really looking so hard for any at the time.
Remember to choose candles that are as natural as possible and without toxic scents and fragrances to burn. The candles used in the study were pure stearine. Soy candles would make a good choice.
It is also recommended to burn the candles away from drafts for more salt production and less soot.
