Research
Energy balance
Cold exposure induces non-shivering thermogenesis via brown adipose tissue (BAT) and beige adipocytes, increasing energy expenditure by 2-17%.
Exposing your body to cold temperatures can activate brown fat and increase calorie burning. Start with small, manageable exposures like slightly cooler showers or a lower bedroom temperature. Consistency is key to building up your body's thermogenic capacity.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
extended periods of cold exposure will lead to a sustained higher metabolic rate with reports of increased energy expenditure ranging from 2 to 17% including elevations in both SMR and TEF
Why this rating
The paper reviews studies showing increased energy expenditure, but notes that the extent of BAT activation varies and is a genetically predisposed phenotype.
Source
Analysis of energy metabolism in humans: A review of methodologies
Yan Y. Lam et al. · Molecular Metabolism · 2016
DOI 10.1016/j.molmet.2016.09.005
narrative_reviewCited 152×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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