Beloved wellness trend promises health benefits but instead it causes weight gain, shocking many
They’re supposed to slim you down — but ice baths might actually be plumping you up.The frigid wellness fad beloved by celebs and influencers could be backfiring, new research suggests.Cold plunges — long touted for easing sore muscles and torching fat — may crank up your appetite and make you gain weight, originally reported on by the Daily Mail.
In a study, volunteers took 30-minute dips in tubs set at 95°F, 79°F and a chilly 61°F before an all-you-can-eat pasta test.The colder the water, the increased hunger levels — those in the iciest pool scarfed down over 200 extra calories.Talk about a chilling twist.Study lead Marie Grigg, a PhD researcher at Coventry University, told the Daily Mail it’s still a mystery why icy dips spike cravings.She noted that “further research is required to identify if the after-drop in core temperature is a potential mechanism responsible for compensatory food intake post cold-water immersion.”With cold plunges trending, experts warn the icy fad could backfire for anyone counting on it to shed pounds — and might force weight-loss pros to rethink their playbook.New York City trainer Natalya Alexeyenko has a theory.
She said to the outlet, “During cold water immersion, the body kicks into thermoregulation mode — blood vessels constrict, heart rate rises, and metabolism revs to keep your core warm.”But once you get out, she explained that your body keeps cooling — an “after-drop” — and sends a strong signal: “We need energy now,” even if you’re not hungry.The catch? Many of us answer that call with calorie bombs, packing on pounds.Her advice? Skip the snacks and “refuel smart” with lean proteins, complex carbs, leafy greens — and don’t forget a “warm drink” to tame the urge.Ice baths and cold plunges may also blunt muscle growth and carry serious risks like hyperventilation, hypothermia, drowning or even cardiac arrest as the body fights icy shock.As The Post previously reported, col...