Innovative diets have continued to capture our attention in the ever-evolving weight loss industry. One such trend is the Ice Hack Diet, which has taken social media by storm. This unconventional approach claims to be more effective than exercise, caloric restriction, and intermittent fasting.
The Ice Hack Diet or the Alpine Ice Diet promises rapid fat loss and improved metabolic health. This has piqued the curiosity of many. Thus, in this article, we will delve into the intricacies of this unconventional approach to weight loss. We will also determine if it is worth your money.
Overview
The Viral Sensation: Unpacking the Ice Hack Diet’s Sudden Rise
The Core Mechanism: What Really Happens When You Cool Down?
The Red Flags: What Experts Are Saying
The Cost Factor: Is It Worth the Money?
Are There Any Health Risks Associated With the Ice Hack Diet?
Conclusion
The Viral Sensation: Unpacking the Ice Hack Diet’s Sudden Rise
The Ice Hack Diet has exploded in popularity on social media over the recent years. But what exactly is the Ice Hack Diet?
It is a weight loss approach that recommends drinking cold water or eating ice before eating meals. Drinking extremely cold water or consuming ice causes your body to work harder to warm itself up. That is believed to burn a few extra calories. It’s also believed that the cold temperature temporarily suppresses your appetite. This makes you eat less.
This diet hack has gone viral on platforms like TikTok and Instagram and has amassed millions of views. While some ice hack videos show fancy ice cubes, others are promoting the ice hack for weight loss. Influencers have bombarded social media with testimonials on how this approach miraculously melts belly fat.
Although the videos show glasses filled with ice cubes, it’s important to note that the focus is not on ice. What is being sold is a dietary supplement called Alpilean. This capsule is made up of ingredients like the following:
- Dika nut
- Golden algae
- Fucoxanthin
- Vitamin B12
- Ginger rhizome
- Turmeric rhizome
- Drumstick tree leaf
- Citrus bioflavonoids
- Chromium picolinate
The above ingredients are derived from the Himalayan Alp, hence, the alternative name: the Alpine Ice Hack. These ingredients work together to boost metabolism. They also help to control appetite, enhance thermogenesis, and increase energy levels.
Like other popular diet trends, there are nuggets of scientific evidence beneath the claims of what the Ice Hack Diet can do—except that these claims are misinterpreted. The sellers of the Ice Hack Diet, for instance, claim that the real cause of belly fat is low inner body temperature.
This was based on a revelation from a 2020 study by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine. The study showed that the collective inner body temperature of the people in the United States has decreased by an average of 0.05°F since the 1800s.
Because of this, the creators of this dietary plan jumped on the premise that the declining inner body temperature is to blame for obesity.
People are indeed getting heavier with time, and our body temperature has also dropped over time. But despite that, it’s important to note that this has been a result of other contributing factors like the following:
- Calorie-dense food
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Reduced infectious diseases
- Air conditioning and heating
Another factor is that our immune system was probably more active in the past than it is today. The bacteria in our bodies are also different, and they produce heat. So, there are many other reasons as to why people may have weighed less in the past that are not fully understood. Over time, people have become taller, fatter, and healthier, and how all these relate is still unclear.
The Core Mechanism: What Really Happens When You Cool Down?
Ice Hack Diet fanatics claim that subjecting the body to cold temperatures activates thermogenesis. This is a process in which the body generates heat to maintain its core temperature. The result is that your body increases its heat production, which in turn boosts metabolism, leading to weight loss.
But what really happens when your body is exposed to these extremely cold temperatures? Well, how about putting on our lab coats and looking at the science behind this Himalayan ice method?
As the popularity of the Ice Hack Diet grows, more research is required to understand its mechanisms. No doubt that some studies have shown promising results. But we also need to approach this trend with caution and consult health professionals.
There’s more to this concept than meets the eye. Understanding the science behind it will help us appreciate the complexities of our body’s response to cold temperatures.
When you expose your body to cold temperature using this Himalayan ice method, your blood vessels constrict to conserve heat. This causes decreased blood flow to your extremities, and your body begins working hard to maintain its core temperature. This extra effort leads to an increase in calorie burning. Meanwhile, your body will be tapping into its fat stores for fuel.
Additionally, the cold temperature causes your body to activate brown fat, which burns calories to produce heat. That means that apart from melting fat away, you’re also keeping warm.
The Ice Hack Diet also promotes weight loss by giving your metabolism a much-needed boost. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body works harder to regulate the internal temperature. This increased effort spikes your metabolic rate, causing your body to burn more calories.
The Red Flags: What Experts Are Saying
The Ice Hack Diet recommends lowering your inner body temperature to improve fat metabolism. Users are advised to drink ice water before bed and take weight loss supplements.
Experts, however, warn that the science behind this approach is shaky. Dietitians warn that there is scant data to back up claims about many of the ingredients in the supplements. Furthermore, the supplement is unregulated—a fact that raises concerns about its purity and safety.
Alpilean cites scientific studies to support its claims. A closer look at these studies, however, reveals that the research is either misinterpreted or not directly related to what the product can do. This brings doubts regarding the credibility and effectiveness of the Ice Hack Diet.
The Cost Factor: Is It Worth the Money?
With its fueled popularity through social media, the Ice Hack Diet has become a lucrative business. The supplements are all-natural and aid in improving cognitive functions as well as memory. This product comes in three different pack sizes:
- One bottle goes for $59.00 for a 30-day supply.
- Three bottles for a 90-day supply cost $49.00 each.
- Six bottles for a 180-day supply cost $39.00 each.
If you compare other simple weight loss alternatives like healthy eating and exercising, you’ll end up losing weight at no cost. Some of these alternatives include the following:
- Being active through exercises.
- Focusing on whole foods like veggies and fruits.
- Consulting experts like nutritionists and dietitians.
Adopting healthier habits and a bit of determination helps you to achieve weight loss more safely and effectively.
Are There Any Health Risks Associated With the Ice Hack Diet?
While this weight loss approach offers potential benefits, we must address the risk of nutrient deficiency. That’s because restricting calorie intake or certain food groups can lead to health complications.
Magnesium deficiency, for instance, can cause loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. General body weakness and trouble breathing are other signs of nutritional deficiency. Thus, you must prioritize nutrient-rich foods when following this weight loss program.
Also, a long-term adherence to the strict regimen of this weight loss program can be challenging to maintain over a long period. Furthermore, rapid weight loss due to this kind of extreme dieting method can lead to weight gain once you resume standard eating patterns.
That’s why you must assess your ability to adhere to such dietary plans. Consider whether it aligns with your lifestyle and preferences.
Conclusion
The Ice Hack Diet presents a multifaceted approach to weight loss. Although it promises rapid weight loss and improved metabolic health, it’s an approach that you must carefully think about.
Remember that sustaining a balanced approach to weight loss and seeking professional guidance helps to mitigate potential risks. This will also help to enhance the likelihood of a successful weight loss journey.
Note that when it comes to losing and maintaining healthy weight, the secret lies in finding an approach that aligns with your goals. It must also align with your preferences and your overall well-being.
While Alpilean markets itself as a natural and easy solution to weight loss, you must consider whether it’s safe to use. Sure, it comes with some research. However, scientists are skeptical about it as this research is shaky and therefore, unreliable.
Thus, you must consider consulting a health professional and be wary of overly-hyped trends on social media. Quick-fix solutions are not always the best.
