Zendaya Passes on Ice Baths—Are Cold Plunges Really for Women?

Zendaya says she’s not into cold plunges, and an expert notes that women may not experience the same benefits from ice baths as men due to a stronger stress response; evidence is mixed. Some studies show limited gender differences or suggest metabolic effects, while others find women sleeping less after ice baths. Many experts argue heat-based approaches, like sauna use, may offer clearer cardiovascular and metabolic benefits for women, making cold plunges a non-universal fit.