Taking a Dip in Cold Water May Cut “Bad” Body Fat

Review of current science indicates that an icy swim may cut ‘bad’ body fat, but further health benefits unclear.

Taking a dip in cold water may cut ‘bad’ body fat in men and decrease the risk of disorders such as diabetes. These are the findings suggested by a major scientific review published on September 22 in International Journal of Circumpolar Health, a peer-reviewed journal.

According to the authors, many of the 104 studies they analyzed demonstrated significant effects from cold water swimming including also on brown fat, also known as ‘good’ fat, which helps burn calories. They say that this may protect against obesity and cardiovascular disease.

However, the review was inconclusive overall on the health benefits of cold-water bathing, an increasingly popular hobby.

Much of the available research involved small numbers of participants, often of just one gender, and with differences in water temperature and salt composition. Additionally, it is unclear whether or not winter swimmers are naturally healthier, say the scientific expert team of review authors from UiT The Arctic University of Norway and from the University Hospital of North Norway.

The Debate Around Cold Water’s Health Impact

“From this review, it is clear that there is increasing scientific support that voluntary exposure to cold water may have some beneficial health effects,” states lead author James Mercer, from UiT.

“Many of the studies demonstrated significant effects of cold-water immersion on various physiological and biochemical parameters. But the question as to whether these are beneficial or not for health is difficult to assess.

“Based on the results from this review, many of the health benefits claimed from regular cold exposure may not be causal. Instead, they may be explained by other factors including an active lifestyle, trained stress handling, social interactions, as well as a positive mindset.

“Without further conclusive studies, the topic will continue to be a subject of debate.”

Weight loss, increased libido, and improved mental health are among numerous health and well-being claims made by followers of regular cold-water immersion or arising from anecdotal cases.

This activity is the subject of growing interest worldwide and takes many forms such as swimming in cold water during the winter.

Determining whether voluntary exposure to cold water has health effects in humans was the primary goal of the review. The methodology involved a detailed investigation of the scientific literature.

Excluded from the review were studies where participants wore wet suits, accidental cold-water immersion, and water temperatures greater than 20 degrees centigrade.

Themes covered by the studies that were eligible for review included inflammation, immune system, adipose tissue, blood circulation, and oxidative stress.

Immersion in cold water has a major impact on the body and triggers a shock response that includes an elevated heart rate.

Evidence that cardiovascular risk factors are actually improved in swimmers who have adapted to the cold was provided by some studies. However, other research suggests the workload on the heart is still increased.

Positive Effects on Brown Fat and Insulin Sensitivity

The review provided insights into positive links between cold water swimming and brown adipose tissue (BAT), a type of ‘good’ body fat that is activated by cold. BAT burns calories to maintain body temperature, unlike ‘bad’ white fat which stores energy.

Cold exposure in water – or air – appears also to increase the production of the hormone protein adiponectin by adipose tissue. It plays a key role in protecting against insulin resistance, diabetes, and other diseases.

Repeated cold-water immersions during the winter months significantly increased insulin sensitivity and decreased insulin concentrations, according to the review. This was for both inexperienced and experienced swimmers.

However, the researchers highlight that the profile of swimmers participating in the studies did vary. They included a broad range people from elite swimmers and established winter bathers to those with no previous winter swimming experience.

Others were not strictly ice bathers but used cold-water immersion as a treatment post-exercise.

According to the authors, education is also needed on the health risks associated with taking a dip in icy water. These include the consequences of hypothermia, and of heart and lung issues which are often related to the shock from the cold.

Reference: “Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water – a continuing subject of debate” by Didrik Espeland, Louis de Weerd and James B. Mercer, 22 September 2022, International Journal of Circumpolar Health.
DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2022.2111789

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