Wearing a vest packed with ice packs or taking a cold shower daily could assist in weight loss, according to researchers. A study involving 47 overweight or obese adults revealed that daily exposure to cold temperatures resulted in notable fat loss within weeks.
Brown Fat Activation
Experts attribute this effect partly to a type of tissue called brown fat, which is activated by cold and accelerates the body's calorie-burning rate. They suggest that daily cold exposure could become a simple and inexpensive addition to weight loss plans.
Study Details
In the first real-world study of its kind, half of the participants wore an ice vest every morning for two hours while continuing their daily activities. These vests, worn over a t-shirt, contain pockets for gel-filled ice packs chilled in the fridge or freezer, cooling the core body temperature to 15°C. Over six weeks, those using the vest lost an average of 0.9 kg (2 lb), almost entirely body fat, described as 'really exciting' by researchers. The control group gained an average of 0.6 kg (1.3 lb).
Broader Implications
The team from the University of Nottingham and Leiden University Medical Center is now studying cold showers with 34 women, half of whom will take 90-second cold showers daily. Funded by the Dutch and British Heart Foundations, the research explores how cold exposure could reduce obesity, inflammation, and prevent heart disease. Professor Helen Budge noted that mild cold exposure activates brown fat, which uses body fat stores to produce heat, potentially improving lipid, glucose, and inflammation profiles.
Lead researcher Dr. Mariëtte Boon added that participants found the vest comfortable and that cold exposure increases calorie burn even before shivering. Cold plunges and swimming have gained popularity, driven by figures like Wim Hof and celebrities such as Harry Styles, David Beckham, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who enjoys cold swimming. Ice baths are increasingly common in fitness settings, with companies like Brass Monkey reporting doubled sales year on year. Other potential benefits include boosted metabolism, muscle recovery, and stress management.
