Most people know that ice is great for keeping drinks cold and alleviating pain. However, there are many other reasons why you should be incorporating ice into your life. Ice can help you lose weight, improve your complexion, and boost your immune system and so much more! This article will tell you some of the many benefits of ice that you might not know about!
Help To Lose Weight
Ice has been used for years as a tool to help weight loss. This is due to the fact that ice increases your metabolism. Which allows you to burn more calories. In order to lose one pound, you need to have a 3500 calorie deficit. It would be impossible for someone not on an extremely regimented diet and exercise plan to lose that amount of calories in a week.
However, it is very effective over a longer period of time. If you want to incorporate ice into your weight loss regimen, first find out how many calories you need per day based on your age, height, weight and activity level. Then, simply take those numbers and create a deficit by taking away 500-1000 calories from what the machine tells you as the correct amount.
This should result in weight loss, but take it slowly! Losing too much weight too quickly can cause your skin to sag. So start small and gradually increase the amount of ice that you are drinking each day.
Skin Care
Everyone wants healthy looking skin that is free of acne scars or dark spots. The cold temperature of ice increases blood flow which improves collagen production. It also promotes cell turnover to give you a brighter complexion with not only fewer flaws but also an even tone. This means that any marks will be less noticeable because they’ll blend in better with the rest of your face.
For best results, make sure to use crushed ice since it melts slower than cubes and therefore stays colder for longer periods of time. This will tighten the skin throughout your entire face. If you are having second thoughts about getting an ice facial, simply use crushed ice in a paper towel soaked with cold water to apply the solution where you want it. The refreshing chill will tighten your pores allowing for smoother skin.
Pain Relief
Everyone has experienced pain at some point in their life. Whether it was from an injury or something less significant like sunburn. Cold temperatures decrease nerve conductivity which reduces feelings of pain across the body by limiting inflammation.
For best results, do not directly put ice on an open wound because this could cause damage to the surrounding tissues. It could also create further problems when it comes time for recovery. Always keep in mind that the longer you have been injured, the more it will take to reduce swelling and discomfort.
Immunity Booster
With people who live in their phones and computers constantly, we rarely get the chance to enjoy spending time outside as much as we used to. Unfortunately, this causes many of us to be more susceptible to cold and flu season. Which can shorten our overall lifespan if we do not take proper precautions with healthy habits. Eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep is just the start!
Ice has been proven as an effective way to boost your immune system especially when you drink it regularly. This might seem like a stretch, but there are scientific studies that prove that it works. For example, one study found that drinking ice water enhanced natural killer cell activity by up to 20%. It also increased interferon production by 40% which is the protein responsible for attacking viruses.