Could Chillier Homes Help Us Lose Weight?

Recent studies suggest that cooling off to burn more fat is an idea worth exploring, Dutch researchers say. The new report reviews recent human and animal studies. They focus on the activity of “brown fat,” which is found in only small amounts in most adults. Brown fat burns calories to help us stay warm in cold temperatures. Shivering increases heat production in people. More recent studies also suggest that the body burns more calories for heat even when exposed to milder cold temperatures. This is called non-shivering thermogenesis. Earlier research by the Dutch team showed that people tend to feel more comfortable over time when exposed to chilly temperatures (about 59 degrees Fahrenheit). The Dutch researchers are planning longer-term experiments that will also track the weight of people who live in cooler environments over time.