As the world is becoming more and more health-conscious, people are trying to find various ways to boost their metabolism and burn more calories. One of the most talked-about methods is drinking ice water.

It is claimed that drinking cold water can increase calorie burning, but how much of it is true?.

The Science Behind It

Before diving into the facts, let’s understand how metabolism works. Metabolism is the process by which your body converts the food you eat into energy. It is affected by factors such as age, sex, activity level, and body composition.

Your resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the number of calories your body burns when you are at rest.

Research has shown that consuming cold water can increase your metabolic rate temporarily by a few calories. This increase occurs because your body has to work harder to raise the temperature of the water to your body temperature.

This process is known as thermogenesis. However, the effect is relatively small and is not sufficient to cause significant weight loss on its own.

The Myth of Negative Calories

Some people believe that drinking ice water can burn more calories than it contains, leading to negative calorie intake. However, this belief is far from the truth. While water is calorie-free, it cannot burn calories by itself.

Consuming fewer calories than you expend is the only way to lose weight, and drinking ice water can only contribute marginally to this process.

Other Ways to Boost Metabolism

While drinking ice water can slightly boost your metabolism, there are many other ways to increase your RMR. First on the list is building more muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even when you are at rest.

Therefore, strength training and weight lifting can be excellent ways to boost your metabolism.

Aerobic exercises such as running, cycling, and swimming can also increase your RMR. These forms of exercise burn a lot of calories during the workout and continue to boost your metabolism for hours afterward.

Lastly, ensuring that you get enough sleep can have a significant impact on your RMR. Sleep deprivation can slow down your metabolism and lead to weight gain.

Conclusion

While it is not entirely false that drinking ice water can increase your metabolism, the effect is relatively small and cannot be solely relied upon for significant weight loss.

The most effective way to lose weight is through a combination of exercise, a healthy diet, and lifestyle changes. Nevertheless, drinking ice water can still be a part of a healthy lifestyle and can contribute to weight loss success.