Yes, sleeping in a cooler environment may help you burn more calories. Your body works harder to maintain its core temperature in cold conditions, leading to a slightly increased metabolic rate. This increased metabolic activity translates to a small increase in calorie expenditure.
How Cold Temperatures Influence Calorie Burning
Several studies suggest a link between cooler sleeping temperatures and increased calorie burning. For example, one study found that lowering the sleeping temperature to 66 degrees Fahrenheit for a month increased brown fat, which may help burn more calories. [Source 1] Another study showed that sleeping in cooler conditions boosted metabolism in men. [Source 3, Source 7, Source 8] The increased metabolic rate results from your body's efforts to generate heat to maintain its core temperature. This process requires energy, leading to a small increase in calorie expenditure. [Source 2, Source 4, Source 5, Source 6, Source 9, Source 10]
The Mechanism: Brown Fat and Metabolism
The increase in calorie burning is partially attributed to the increase in brown fat activity. Brown fat is a type of fat tissue that burns calories to produce heat. Exposure to cold temperatures can stimulate brown fat activity, leading to increased energy expenditure. [Source 1]
Practical Implications
While the calorie burn increase from sleeping cold is likely small, it can contribute to overall weight management when combined with other healthy habits like regular exercise and a balanced diet. A comfortable, slightly cool room temperature (around 66 degrees Fahrenheit) is often recommended for optimal sleep, which may also have this added metabolic benefit. [Source 7, Source 8]
Important Note: The calorie burn increase from sleeping cold is likely modest, and should not be considered a primary method for weight loss. A holistic approach to weight management is always recommended.
