You may have read about a number of technological materials upon your journey into the world of Memory foam mattresses. The scientist comes out explaining all the benefits and technological advances but your still left scratching your head, well lets take the example of infra-red bedding.
Infra-red bedding technology which is described as enabling ‘multiple benefits for the body, including increased healing and recovery, reduced muscle fatigue, reduced stiffness, as well as helping to combat cold hands and feet due to poor circulation’.
This type of material is often used in sports clothes to distribute heat.
That sounds brilliant you may say, well lets look into it in a bit more detail so you can make an informed decision.
How does this work?: The claim is that these fibres reflect light, which is invisible to the naked eye, back in to our skin.
Further research will show you that infra-red rays are omitted and absorbed by a number of materials; humans both absorb and give off these rays. Your TV remote control uses an infra-red ray to change the TV channel. These rays are everywhere; regardless of the material in your bed.
Firstly ask yourself whether this is a benefit that is crucial on your list of mattress must haves.
Secondly looking at the clinical trials shows that the product does have some benefits, especially in sports clothing, though there isn’t a huge amount of independent clinical evidence to support this within beds or bedding.
Thirdly look at the increase in price when selecting this material and ask yourself do the benefits out way the costs. Is the evidence in support of them overwhelming enough for you to agree with the claims? Or would it be more prudent to change the tog of your duvet, the bed clothes you wear or temperature of the room?
We are not saying for one minute that claims are false and the technology is certainly very interesting, especially in sports clothing. What we are asking is that you fully assess the claims and the cost associations of them. We at John Ryan only use 400g GSM polyester for our mattress covers as we believe these are the tried and tested methods of providing comfort, quality and durability.
What else can I do?: If you have circulation problems a GP is best to advise you on any specific clothing requirements. If you’re a naturally cold person, increasing the TOG in your duvet or wearing thicker bed clothes will probably have the same, if not greater, effect on your sleep temperature!
As for increased healing, we would argue that a good night’s sleep is one of the greatest aids to a persons well-being regardless of any other claims.
If you’re confused by some of the health benefit claims out there on the internet around beds, we urge you to look at the advertising tradings authority ruling against miracle and healing cures of mattresses as false claims. http://www.asa.org.uk/Rulings/Adjudications/2009/10/Park-Wholesale-Beds-Ltd/TF_ADJ_47057.aspx
Our mattresses are all designed with this in mind; leaving the jargon behind.
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