Doctor explained whether cold water helps with weight loss

American doctors have confirmed the scientific validity of the popular social media method of weight loss using cold water. According to Wellness Pulse, consuming chilled water does indeed help accelerate metabolism and achieve satiety faster.

Family physician from the prestigious Mayo Clinic (USA) Elissa B. Gartenberg explained the mechanism of this phenomenon: "When the body is exposed to cold, it triggers what's called cold-induced thermogenesis. This is a process in which the body generates heat by burning more calories."

The expert references a study by scientists from Humboldt University, which showed that consuming 500 milliliters of water at a temperature of 22°C increases metabolic rate by approximately 30% for an hour. In terms of calorie expenditure, this translates to an additional burn of about 24 calories.

"This number by itself is small, but the habit of drinking water is part of a healthy daily routine," noted Dr. Gartenberg.

Additionally, consuming water before meals helps control appetite. A 2008 study published in the journal "Obesity" demonstrated that drinking 500 ml of water before eating leads to reduced calorie consumption and accelerated weight loss, especially in middle-aged and older adults.

"This effect is likely related to stomach distension and early transmission of satiety signals to the brain even before food intake," explained the American expert.

According to the doctor, cold water can also slightly slow down gastric emptying, potentially prolonging the feeling of fullness, although this effect has been studied to a lesser extent.