Researchers studying the effects of cold temperatures on the body made an interesting discovery– that lower temperatures can markedly affect the amount of energy a person uses overall, thereby contributing to increased calorie expenditure and possibly accelerating weight loss.

“Since most of us are exposed to indoor conditions 90 percent of the time, it is worth exploring health aspects of ambient temperatures,” says article author Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt of Maastricht University Medical Center in a statement.”What would it mean if we let our bodies work again to control body temperature?”

Lichtenbelt believes that exposure to mild cold temperatures can affect energy expenditure over longer time periods. The findings suggest that non-shivering heat production can account for up to 30 percent of the body’s energy budget, indicating that the lower temperatures prompts higher energy expenditure.

A Japanese research group discovered decreased body fat in subjects who spent 2 hours daily in temperatures 62 degrees Fahrenheit for six weeks.

The bad news? Our constant exposure to warm temperatures and an over- reliance on indoor heating could be making it easier for us to keep the pounds on.

The researchers suggest using mild-cold temperature exposure in addition to diet and exercise programs, but they admit that the notion isn’t a popular one. For the reason that most people just don’t like being cold.

“Indoor temperature in most buildings is regulated to minimize the percentage of people dissatisfied,” according to the researchers. “This results in relatively high indoor temperatures in wintertime. […] By lack of exposure to a varied ambient temperature, whole populations may be prone to develop diseases like obesity.

In addition, people become vulnerable to sudden changes in ambient temperature.” The article presenting the link between cold temperatures and energy consumption was presented in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism this month.