Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura has a secret formula for keeping himself in peak condition during the Asian Cup - germanium baths.

The Celtic midfielder has been soaking in detoxifying minerals to soothe his aches and pains as he leads Japan's quest to win a third straight title.

"I'm bathing in lots of different 'onsen' (Japanese hot spring) minerals," Nakamura told Reuters after training on a sultry Hanoi evening.

"We're in the hotel for long periods so you have to enjoy small creature comforts like bath-time. It's more fun getting in a bath with an interesting colour than plain water."

Nakamura has been the driving force behind Japan's run to the Asian Cup semifinals but the suffocating humidity has begun to take its toll on the players.

Japan has thousands of natural hot springs and the players, hermetically sealed off from outside world in their luxury hotel, are trying to recreate that "onsen feel" in Vietnam.

"The coaching staff brought some bathing ingredients from Japan for us too - onsen minerals or something," said Nakamura.

"I think there was germanium too. I also got some from fans at the airport when we left. It helps get rid of fatigue and lets you sleep well."

Short 20-minute soaks in germanium baths have become one of the most popular detox treatments money can buy. Japan's players have been dipping their toes in too.

Germanium boost

Glossy spa brochures promise that germanium - a hard, silver-white metalloid chemically similar to tin -increases your internal oxygen levels by improving blood circulation while also promoting cellular regeneration and boosting your metabolism.

In layman's terms: it helps ease muscle pain quickly.

Even more importantly for many spa-goers, the baths give your skin a smooth, glowing look.

"It says on the packet it's good for my skin," laughed the 29-year-old Nakamura. "I'm not sure it's helped my face but it's smooth. I think it's from (hot spring resort) Hakone.

"I have a dip about twice a day but you can't stay in too long or it makes your muscles too relaxed."

The Japan side, who face Saudi Arabia in Wednesday's semifinals, have left no stone unturned in their bid to win the Asian Cup with painstaking detail also paid to dietary intake.

"Bathing and stretching are important but so is eating a balanced diet," said Nakamura. "We have our team cook from Japan with us but we also get Vietnamese noodles every other day.

"Just don't ask me if the food tastes better than in Scotland."

Scotland's player of the year cut an odd figure with an enormous bag of training balls slung over his shoulder and his tracksuit done up to his nose despite the heat.

"I was the first off after training so I got the job of ball-boy," he grinned. "The tracksuit? I'm boiling, but I'm getting eaten alive by mosquitoes - that's why I'm all zipped up."

(China Daily via Agencies July 25, 2007)