Scientists have discovered that sleeping in a cold environment can increase the body's metabolism.

In a study entitled "Temperature-acclimated brown adipose tissue modulates insulin sensitivity in humans, " published in the medical journal "Diabetes," it is found out that fats can be burned through sleeping in a cold place.

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A team of researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University conducted a study on how differences in temperature affect the body's metabolism while sleeping.

During the research, five men were asked to sleep in a temperature-controlled environment.

Based on the results of the research, National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists have found out that those who have been sleeping in colder temperatures have more percentage of brown fats than white fats in their bodies, which is essential in metabolism.

The researchers also found out that prolonged exposure to an environment with moderately cold temperature is optimal in helping expand the amount of brown fat in the body.

Brown fat is the adipose tissue which is considered as an "active fat" as it burns calories, relative to the "white fat," which functions as a "storage fat" because it stores energy.

Scientists used to believe that brown fat disappears as a person grows, but recent studies have proven that there are still traces of brown fat in the body.

The study also said that adults who have more brown fats tend to be leaner than those who have less, because brown fats have the ability to burn white fats.

The experiment was conducted on healthy male participants and it is still unknown how the condition will affect a person who is obese.

However, researchers also point out that brown fat helps to regulate the glucose in the blood which aids in preventing diabetes. 

Tagslose weight, sleep, Science