There’s a positive link between cold water swimming and ‘good fat’ / Photo: Shutterstock/OlgaBerlet
Cold is the new hot in spa circles, but sceptics question whether the benefits of such practices are proven. Two separate studies published in August and September, however, suggest there are still avenues to explore.
Boosting ‘good’ fat In a review of multiple scientific papers, researchers from Norway say there’s evidence that an icy swim may increase ‘good’ body fat and reduce the risk of diabetes.
The review, published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health*, analysed 104 studies looking at the health benefits of cold water swimming, paying attention to sample size and other limitations.
Themes covered by studies that were eligible for review included inflammation, adipose tissue, blood circulation, immune system and oxidative stress. Some of these provided evidence that cardiovascular risk factors are improved in swimmers who have adapted to the cold. Yet others suggest the workload on the heart is still increased.
The authors did, however, highlight the positive links between cold water swimming and brown adipose tissue (BAT), a type of ‘good’ body fat that’s activated by cold. BAT burns calories to maintain body temperature unlike ‘bad’ white fat which stores energy.
According to the review, cold exposure in water – or air – appears also to increase the production of adiponectin, a protein which plays a key role in protecting against insulin resistance, diabetes and other diseases.
In conclusion, the researchers said that more evidence was needed to identify risks associated with cold water immersion and this is something we explore in more detail on p62.
Tumour suppression Another separate study by Swedish scientists at the Karolinska Institute** has found that low temperatures make it more difficult for cancer cells to grow.
Published in the journal Nature, the paper compared tumour growth and survival rates in mice with various types of cancer, when exposed to cold versus warm living conditions. Mice acclimatised to temperatures of 4˚C had significantly slower tumour growth and lived nearly twice as long compared with mice in rooms of 30˚C.
The theory is that turning down the thermostat activates heat-producing brown fat that consumes the sugars that tumours need to thrive.
Corresponding author professor Yihai Cao says: “We found that cold-activated brown adipose tissue [BAT] competes against tumours for glucose and can help inhibit tumour growth in mice.
“Our findings suggest that cold exposure could be a promising novel approach to cancer therapy, although this needs to be validated in larger clinical studies.”
*Source. Mercer, JB et al. Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water – a continuing debate. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. September 2022
**Source: Cao, Y et al. Brown-fat-mediated tumour suppression by cold-altered global metabolism. Nature. August 2022
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Finishing Touch: Cold call
Tumor suppression and boosting ‘good fat’ are two potential benefits of exposure to cool temperatures and swimming in icy waters, scientists reveal
There’s a positive link between cold water swimming and ‘good fat’ / Photo: Shutterstock/OlgaBerlet
Cold is the new hot in spa circles, but sceptics question whether the benefits of such practices are proven. Two separate studies published in August and September, however, suggest there are still avenues to explore.
Boosting ‘good’ fat In a review of multiple scientific papers, researchers from Norway say there’s evidence that an icy swim may increase ‘good’ body fat and reduce the risk of diabetes.
The review, published in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health*, analysed 104 studies looking at the health benefits of cold water swimming, paying attention to sample size and other limitations.
Themes covered by studies that were eligible for review included inflammation, adipose tissue, blood circulation, immune system and oxidative stress. Some of these provided evidence that cardiovascular risk factors are improved in swimmers who have adapted to the cold. Yet others suggest the workload on the heart is still increased.
The authors did, however, highlight the positive links between cold water swimming and brown adipose tissue (BAT), a type of ‘good’ body fat that’s activated by cold. BAT burns calories to maintain body temperature unlike ‘bad’ white fat which stores energy.
According to the review, cold exposure in water – or air – appears also to increase the production of adiponectin, a protein which plays a key role in protecting against insulin resistance, diabetes and other diseases.
In conclusion, the researchers said that more evidence was needed to identify risks associated with cold water immersion and this is something we explore in more detail on p62.
Tumour suppression Another separate study by Swedish scientists at the Karolinska Institute** has found that low temperatures make it more difficult for cancer cells to grow.
Published in the journal Nature, the paper compared tumour growth and survival rates in mice with various types of cancer, when exposed to cold versus warm living conditions. Mice acclimatised to temperatures of 4˚C had significantly slower tumour growth and lived nearly twice as long compared with mice in rooms of 30˚C.
The theory is that turning down the thermostat activates heat-producing brown fat that consumes the sugars that tumours need to thrive.
Corresponding author professor Yihai Cao says: “We found that cold-activated brown adipose tissue [BAT] competes against tumours for glucose and can help inhibit tumour growth in mice.
“Our findings suggest that cold exposure could be a promising novel approach to cancer therapy, although this needs to be validated in larger clinical studies.”
*Source. Mercer, JB et al. Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water – a continuing debate. International Journal of Circumpolar Health. September 2022
**Source: Cao, Y et al. Brown-fat-mediated tumour suppression by cold-altered global metabolism. Nature. August 2022
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa People: Marc Cohen
Leading medical, research, science and educational activities are all part of the new medical director’s role at the Peninsula Hot Springs Group in Australia
Menu engineering: At your service
Get inspired by the latest wellness services including a high-tech diagnostic circuit at SHA and a Zita West fertility programme at Bürgenstock
Interview: Stephan Wagner
As Saudi Arabia taps into tourism, the man heading up wellness at Amaala talks to Spa Business about what the major development is looking to bring to a previously undiscovered part of the Kingdom
Interview: Aradhana Khowala
The chair of the advisory board of the Red Sea – a Saudi development the size of Belgium – shares her passion for regenerative tourism with Spa Business
Sponsored: RKF: Dressed to impress
Following exciting new launches at Equip Hotel in Paris, including the new DresSoft line, RKF Luxury Linen is gearing up for an eco-friendly and fashion-conscious 2023
Everyone’s talking about...: Cold water immersion
A new scientific paper warns of the significant risk of cold water therapies. Spa Business investigates how operators can protect those taking part in extreme bathing programmes
Event report: Healing summit
Self-help and self-love were the key messages from this wellness event in Portugal, says Spa Business’ Lisa Starr
Sponsored: Comfort Zone: Effective by nature
Comfort Zone has revealed three new
products, including a new neck and
décolleté fluid, leveraging the power of
botanical bioactive extracts
Interview: Alex & Sue Glasscock
Editor-at-large, Jane Kitchen is put through her paces at The Ranch's new outpost in Palazzo Fiuggi, Italy and catches up with the owners
Event Report: Global Wellness Summit
The 16th annual GWS, held in Tel Aviv, Israel, homed in on the sector’s biggest issues following the pandemic. Spa Business reports on the highlights
Research: Wellness for all
A new study by the Global Wellness Institute provides a framework for businesses and governments to make healthy lifestyles accessible to all
Sponsored: TechnoAlpin Snowroom
The TechnoAlpin Snowroom made our Grand Aufguss Masters event extra special, says Robert Heinevetter
Finishing Touch: Cold call
Tumor suppression and boosting ‘good fat’ are two potential benefits of exposure to cool temperatures and swimming in icy waters, scientists reveal
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five-
day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in
Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and
rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its
22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall
renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced
it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House
Hotel in St Albans, UK.
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this
percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of
Wellness 2026 research report.
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of
a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
