Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Swimming in cold water could cut 'bad' body fat and help fight diabetes – Major Study

Brown adipose tissue – a type of ‘good’ body fat which burns calories to maintain body temperature was found to be activated after taking a dip in water with temperatures below 20C (68F).

Swimming in cold water could cut 'bad' body fat and help fight diabetes – Major Study

Thanks to the popularity of wellness gurus and influencers like Wim 'The Iceman' Hof, swimming in sub-zero temperatures has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Now, a major review has found that going for a swim in cold water could help you lose weight and also protect you against diabetes.


Swimming in cold water could reportedly cut 'bad' body fat in men and protect against insulin resistance, which can lead to blood-sugar problems, the Daily Mail informs.

Additionally, it is now 'clear' that cold water immersion 'may have some beneficial health effects' states, lead study author Professor James Mercer, from The Arctic University of Norway.

Scientists believe fat-busting hormones are released with cold water, and this can help to protect against obesity and heart disease.

However, the experts have also warned of health risks such as hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature, and heart and lung issues.

They also caution that cold-water swimming should be treated as an extreme sport.

The review of 104 studies looked at the impact of cold water on blood circulation, the immune system, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

According to the findings published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health, it was found that repeated cold-water immersions over winter considerably increased insulin sensitivity and decreased insulin concentrations.

Brown adipose tissue - a type of 'good' body fat that burns calories to maintain body temperature was found to be activated after taking a dip in the water with temperatures below 20C (68F).

Additionally, being immersed in cold water also reportedly increased the production of the protein adiponectin, which plays a key role in protecting against insulin resistance, diabetes, and other diseases.

Furthermore, some studies also suggested cardiovascular risk factors improved in swimmers who have adapted to the cold, however, some others found it increased the workload on the heart.

Thus, due to conflicting findings, researchers were reportedly left undecided over heart health.

Also, since many of the studies involved small numbers of participants, with mostly one gender, and with different water temperatures and salt composition, researchers feel more in-depth work is needed.

Professor Mercer is reported to have said, “Many of the studies demonstrated significant effects of cold-water immersion on various physiological and biochemical parameters.

“But the question as to whether these are beneficial or not for health is difficult to assess.

“Based on the results from this review, many of the health benefits claimed from regular cold exposure may not be causal.

“Instead, they may be explained by other factors including an active lifestyle, trained stress handling, social interactions, as well as a positive mindset.

“Without further conclusive studies, the topic will continue to be a subject of debate.”

With regard to the dangers involved in the cold water swimming, Dr Heather Massey, who is co-leading a trial into cold-water swimming and depression, is quoted as saying,

“Outdoor swimming is an extreme sport. It is very important you think before you swim.”

Scientists fear people are not aware of the dangers of this sport.

According to the experts, participants can go into cold shock, which is caused by a rapid fall in skin temperature and can lead to gasping, the release of stress hormones, and abnormal heart rhythms.

“Cold shock and the loss of control of breathing can result in drowning,” Professor Mike Tipton, of Portsmouth University, said.

Experts inform that the number of deaths in the UK after open-water swimming rose from 34 to 61 between 2018 and 2021.

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less