From ice bucket challenges to “icy” medicinal practices
Nearly ten years ago, the first annual ALS Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness and $135+ million toward research for a cure. Today, scientists are raising awareness about the benefits of cold-water immersion.
Based upon more than 100 studies, the positive impact on the body’s fat from exposure to cold air, or better yet cold water, could prevent obesity and cardiovascular disease.
While northern Europeans are known for being avid cold-water bathers, most people see the practice as a novelty such as taking New Year’s Day “polar plunges” with a bunch of daring friends or to raise money for a good cause. However, experts say that dunking yourself in cold water during the winter months has also been found to reduce the risk of diabetes by significantly increasing insulin sensitivity and decreasing insulin concentration.
The body has two types of fat. BFAT (brown fat adipose tissue) is a working fat that’s not stored in the body because it burns calories to maintain body temperature whereas “white fat” is stored to metabolize later for energy. There is increasing scientific support that voluntary exposure to cold water converts the white fat adipose tissue into the healthier BFAT. Even though some researchers say that this conversion could be caused by lifestyle factors, the consensus is that stark changes in key cardio-metabolic markers after a cold plunge are quite convincing.