Cold Exposure May Aid Weight Loss
Researchers suggest that using an ice vest or taking cold showers daily could assist in weight loss.
While cold-water swimming and ice baths are becoming more popular, there’s been limited research on their health benefits. However, a study involving 47 adults struggling with obesity or being overweight found that regular cold exposure resulted in fat loss.
In this study, conducted by experts from the University of Nottingham and Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) in the Netherlands, participants were divided into two groups. One group wore an ice vest and waist wrap for two hours each morning while going about their daily activities.
The vests were filled with gel packs kept in the freezer overnight and maintained at a temperature of 15°C, worn over a thin T-shirt.
After six weeks, participants using the ice gear lost an average of 0.9 kg (about 2 lbs), primarily from body fat. In contrast, those in the control group didn’t lose weight and, on average, gained 0.6 kg (1.3 lbs).
Dr. Mariëtte Boon, the primary researcher, remarked that this study is one of the first to explore cold exposure’s long-term effects on those with excess weight.
She mentioned that wearing such vests at home might provide an easy and cost-effective method to incorporate cold exposure into weight loss strategies alongside healthy eating and exercise.
This research was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, concluding that cold temperatures could enhance the body’s calorie-burning rate.
Co-author Prof. Helen Budge from the University of Nottingham noted that daily cold exposure activates brown fat, which utilizes fat stores to generate heat.
She explained that using a cooling vest might encourage brown fat activity, positively influencing lipid levels, glucose, and inflammation, which could help prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Jointly funded by the Dutch Heart Foundation and the British Heart Foundation, researchers are exploring whether other forms of cold exposure can mitigate obesity, inflammation, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
They are also conducting a separate study with 34 women in the Netherlands to assess whether cold showers promote fat loss. For this study, half the participants will take their showers on the coldest setting for 90 seconds each morning.
As Budge mentioned, it’s presumed that cold showers and swimming could yield similar benefits. However, she warned that swimming involves additional factors, such as cold shock, which could affect the body differently.
Boon acknowledged that the cooling vest allows for a longer exposure time compared to a shower, but the shower is significantly colder. They’ll need to determine if there’s any impact on weight loss.
The hope is for individuals to find a method of cold exposure that fits into their daily routine.
