Does a cold shower really burn calories?

IvoryParchment

No, the effect is real. Most of the calories you consume go to maintaining body temperature, not doing cardio. That's why warm blooded animals need to eat so much more than cold blooded ones.

But the effect is small when you're talking about cold water in a shower where you aren't completely immersed and aren't doing any physical exertion and where "cold" means 65 degrees Farenheit rather than 32 degrees. It's too few calories to be worth logging.

TheRealParisLove

Yes, but you have to induce shivering for it to create any kind of calorie bump. Shivering is a sign that you are burning calories at a pretty quick pace. Cold exposure activates brown fat, which is highly metabolically active. You'd probably have to stay in the cold shower 10-15 minutes to see any difference.

Just a cold rinse of 1-2 minutes isn't going to do much. You'd be better off going outside on a cold day for a jog w/o a jacket on.

melaniecheeks

We had this discussion recently, and it got rather heated (scuse the pun...)

Yes, there is a little research into cold activating the brown fat cells, but no, it's not going to be a significant factor in weight loss.

Having said that, there are a number of other benefits to finishing your shower with a blast of cold - it's great to keep your hair shiny, it closes the pores, and it stops you being all hot and sweaty when you're trying to dry off (or maybe that's just me).

So, it's something that I now do. Though I don't expect it to use many calories.

naufragii

Check out this article, it gives you the whole process of how to do it properly!
http://www.livestrong.com/article/154168-how-to-lose-weight-with-cold-showers/

slkehl

I heard this on Dr Oz! lol

typical

Feisty_Red

MoreBean13

Can I get a thread necromancy gif please?

A cold shower only burns considerable calories if it also involves hot sex.

Momma_Grizz

I live in a deep freeze Winter seven months out of the year ..... if shivering and adjusting body temperature burned enough calories to make a difference, I wouldn't be here. If anything, shivering from the cold only seems to make me want to add to my 'insulation'.

Sarauk2sf

Can I get a thread necromancy gif please?

A cold shower only burns considerable calories if it also involves hot sex.

Here you go:

lovechicagobears

It burns as many calories as sitting on your butt folding towels. Make sure you log both!

billsica

You burn some calories, especially if you get cold enough to shiver and get goose bumps, both of which burn up lots of calories. But most people don't stay in a cold shower that long unless it's really hot outside, in which case your metabolism is lower than normal all the time you aren't in the shower.

Swimming tends to use up more. Even though the water may be warmer, the amount of heat loss is large with your entire body immersed.

You use a lot of calories working or exercising outdoors on a cool day. When you get warm enough that you have to take off a layer of clothing, you know you're burning extra calories.

Are you suggesting I swim in the shower?

FloridaPops

Try it and let us know.

redheaddee

If it did, we would live in our showers. Or in Antartica. Doncha think? :laugh:

jofjltncb6

Cold shower? Eh. Cold bath? Probably. I can't find the link now, but there is a calorie burn estimate out there depending on water temperature.

Also, google "cold therapy" for some more arguments for how not only does it burn calories, but also how it has some other potential benefits.

Disclaimer: I routinely take cold baths, not necessarily for any calorie burn, but for the recuperative benefits. It seems to make a substantial difference to me. Placebo? I really don't care if it is, because placebo benefits are still benefits.

mjrkearney

It might not have much of an effect on your weight loss, but it will have an effect on your skin. Since your pores close in response to the cold to keep your body heat in, a cold shower immediately after a workout will trap sweat inside which can lead to breakouts. You're better off with a warm to lukewarm shower until you're clean and a blast of cold afterwards to seal everything up.

asgard825

Depends on what other activities you get up in the shower...

but generally no.

yup. shower with a friend and then you can count it as cardio.

lol

wackyfunster

Disclaimer: Dunk yourself in a tub of ice at your own risk.

I've actually been researching this recently. Short answer is yes. How many calories depends on temperature and diet... if you are eating any substantial amount of carbs, the body prefers shivering-based thermogenesis for heat, and which will not generate a significant loss of body fat. Once the ability to generate heat via shivering is gone (due to glycogen depletion) and/or core temperature dropping to the point where the body needs to generate additional heat, themogenesis via mitochondrial uncoupling protein and via brown adipose tissue regulated breakdown of white adipose tissue is used to generate heat, which will produce substantial fat losses. Cold showers are unlikely to produce this effect, but ice baths definitely can, to the tune of >1000 calories per hour, potentially (e.g. a huge portion of Michael Phelps 12,000 calorie daily burn is due to thermogenesis induced by cold water, not due to cardiovascular expenditures), for an individual who is already well-adapted to cold). I haven't done the math, but drinking 2L of ice water is something like 60+ calories, so I can speculate that an hour in 50-degree water could yield a few thousands calories worth of fat burn.

NotaRaper

Actually, for those of you who don't know, cold showers have good benefits.
Activates Brown Fat Cells
-When brown fat cells are activated, they increase your body temperature mainly around the neck, chest, shoulders, and lower back. They burn or "melt" the white fat cells they surround
Also:
Strengthens Immunity
Improves Blood Circulation
Regulates Body Temperature
Increase Metabolism
Alleviates Depression
Improves Lymphatic Movement
Deepens Breathing
Keeps Skin and Hair Healthy
Increases Energy and Wellbeing
Increases Hormone Production



How to Start

Gradually adjusting from hot to cold showers is recommended. For many, a drastic change in temperature would be too much a stress to their body. Push yourself to step outside your comfort zone, while at the same time listen to what your body can handle. A great way to implement cold showers into your daily routine is by turning the water to cold for the last 30 seconds to a minute of your shower. Give it a try and see what benefits you experience. Who knows, maybe the secret to the fountain of youth is hidden within cold showers.

For more information, visit http://wakeup-world.com/2012/04/11/ten-health-benefits-of-cold-showers/

sissiluv

Lol you'd probably burn a couple cals more from jumping up and down squealing and dancing around the cold-*kitten* spray pissing down your back. So in that way I can see where it JUST MIGHT work, but you'd prolly have to do that for the entire shower. Gross.

goldair23

I doubt it would burn anything! But I finish my shower on the cold setting anyway - keeps my hair shiny and keeps my skin nice! (closes the pores and smooths the hair follicles to get grossly visual about it haha) xo

kdeaux1959

I do it sometimes in the Summertime when I have been at a July Marching practice to cool my core temperature down (after I have acclimated to a normal shower)... It probably burns about 10-20 extra calories but probably not enough to make real difference... It does for a short time raise the heart rate which would increase metabolism for a short time... After the "shock" is over though, it would go back to normal so it really would be negligible in my honest opinion. As others have alluded, there is not quick fix.. Get to the gym for sustained caloric burn and muscle development.

FloyMcCaudie

lol i read somewhere "Really hot streamy late night showers bulks up your muscles" so i think opposite would do opposite!

Louisianababy93

there is noway im about to take a cold one..are you on crack?

FloyMcCaudie

there is noway im about to take a cold one..are you on crack?

they want us to get sick bro! dont listen em

clarkeje1

not worth it, come on. just take a walk.

FloyMcCaudie

look bruh,

You loose "tissues" when you sweat.. so if you do it at day! Hell ye u'll loose some but if you do it any night and sleep after that, you'll sleep and gain muscles with double speed and hence when u'll wake up and eat more cos u hungry!, But if you are talking about morning cold showers then ye they'll burn but not enough to get up in early morning and torture urself in shower!

ievHB1994

Actually, for those of you who don't know, cold showers have good benefits.
Activates Brown Fat Cells
-When brown fat cells are activated, they increase your body temperature mainly around the neck, chest, shoulders, and lower back. They burn or "melt" the white fat cells they surround
Also:
Strengthens Immunity
Improves Blood Circulation
Regulates Body Temperature
Increase Metabolism
Alleviates Depression
Improves Lymphatic Movement
Deepens Breathing
Keeps Skin and Hair Healthy
Increases Energy and Wellbeing
Increases Hormone Production



How to Start

Gradually adjusting from hot to cold showers is recommended. For many, a drastic change in temperature would be too much a stress to their body. Push yourself to step outside your comfort zone, while at the same time listen to what your body can handle. A great way to implement cold showers into your daily routine is by turning the water to cold for the last 30 seconds to a minute of your shower. Give it a try and see what benefits you experience. Who knows, maybe the secret to the fountain of youth is hidden within cold showers.

For more information, visit http://wakeup-world.com/2012/04/11/ten-health-benefits-of-cold-showers/

Indeed!

glitteredgrave

Sounds like torture. Haha

trophywife24

What the hell is a brown fat cell and why do I want to stimulate it?


I like my showers at a "possible skin grafting needed" temperature, please. I would be all kinds of mad if I had to take a cold shower.

Dave198lbs

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