A new joint study suggests cold exposure could help the body burn fat faster by activating brown fat and increasing calorie use.
A new scientific study from Europe suggests that exposure to cold temperatures may support faster weight loss.
Researchers observed significant changes in obese participants after controlled cold exposure using ice vests.
The findings highlight how the body’s natural fat-burning mechanisms may respond to cold environments.
A joint study conducted by researchers from the University of Nottingham and Leiden University Medical Center has found that keeping the body in a cold environment may help accelerate weight loss.
The research focused on 47 obese participants who were asked to wear ice vests. Scientists observed that these individuals lost weight relatively quickly compared to expectations under normal conditions.
How cold temperatures affect the body
According to the study, exposure to cold activates a special type of fat known as “brown fat.” This type of fat burns calories to generate heat, helping the body maintain its core temperature.
Researchers believe this process can contribute to gradual fat reduction when the body is exposed to cold conditions regularly.
The study also noted that cold exposure increases muscle activity. The body responds to low temperatures through shivering, which helps generate heat.
This involuntary reaction also uses energy, potentially increasing overall calorie expenditure during cold exposure periods.
Dr. Mariette Bon, who led the study, said this research is among the first to examine the long-term effects of cold exposure on overweight and obese individuals.
She explained that cold environments force the body to activate brown fat while also engaging muscles to produce heat and maintain normal body temperature.
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