It’s no secret that cold plunge ice baths have a whole range of health benefits. Some of the most notable include reduced joint pain, muscle soreness, inflammation and stress. But can ice baths help you lose weight? This blog will break down the science!
The Science Behind Ice Baths and Weight Loss
When you’re cold, your body works hard to stay warm through a process called thermogenesis. There are two types of thermogenesis: shivering thermogenesis and non-shivering thermogenesis.
In shivering thermogenesis, your muscles will involuntarily contract to produce heat, a process that is known to burn energy and calories and thus contributes to weight loss.
In non-shivering thermogenesis, your metabolic brown fat cells will become activated. Unlike typical body fat, brown fat cells actually help you burn calories and boost your metabolism – so you want to keep these cells around! Regular ice baths have been proven to increase brown fat levels, which is great news if you’re trying to boost your metabolism and lose some weight.
In addition to this, when you plunge into an ice bath, your body releases a hormone called norepinephrine. This hormone plays a crucial role in transforming your white fat cells into metabolically active brown fat. This process helps to make your body more efficient at burning calories and can therefore help to accelerate weight loss.
Does This Mean Cold Water Therapy Can Help You Lose Weight?
A 10-15 minute ice bath may burn around 50-100 calories, depending on your body size, the temperature of the water and a range of other factors. To put that into perspective, you could probably burn the same amount of calories on a short walk!
So, ice baths aren’t exactly a magic fat burner and shouldn’t be used as a standalone solution for weight loss. However, when used in conjunction with exercise and healthy eating, research suggests that regular cold plunges can help you lose weight more effectively.
Do you want to experience the many benefits of ice baths for yourself? At Premier Hot Tubs, we stock a premium quality Alaska Ice Bath Tub at a great price, check it out using the button below!
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