Yes, shivering does burn fat. It is a natural response to cold temperatures that helps your body generate heat. When you shiver, your muscles contract rapidly, which requires energy. This energy comes from the breakdown of fat and glucose.
According to a 2014 study published in the journal "Cell Metabolism," shivering triggers muscles to release a hormone called irisin. This hormone stimulates the conversion of white fat (energy-storing fat) into brown fat (heat-producing fat). Brown fat then burns calories to produce heat, helping to raise your body temperature.
While shivering can burn fat, it is not a practical or sustainable way to lose weight. Shivering is a temporary response to cold temperatures, and the amount of fat burned is relatively small.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- Shivering can be metabolically equivalent to an hour of exercise. Fifteen minutes of intense shivering can burn the same amount of calories as 60 minutes of moderate exercise.
- Shivering can increase your metabolic rate, the rate at which your body burns calories.
- Shivering can also help you burn carbohydrates, especially during intense shivering.
- It is important to note that exposure to extreme cold can be dangerous and should be avoided.
