ORLANDO, Fla – The 208th edition of the Farmer’s Almanac predicts that this year, much of the U.S. will see a wet winter as opposed to the usual white. But most of the country will still feel the chill of the season. So how do colder temps impact the body?
From freezing temps to white outs, how much do you know about the winter weather’s impact on your body?
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First question, true or false, you lose most of your body heat through your head? In cold weather, you lose heat from any uncovered part of your body.
So, can dressing warmly prevent colds and flu? Mom was wrong on this one. If you haven’t been exposed to a virus, cold weather won’t make a difference. But there are 200 viruses that can cause the common cold.
Next question, does shoveling snow increases your risk of heart attack? That one is true, sort of, cold temperatures cause your arteries to constrict and this in turn increases the workload on your heart. Any physical activities in cold weather will increase the demand on your heart.
But cold weather has its benefits too. It’s linked to fewer allergies, reduced inflammation, improved brain function, and increased fat burn.
Studies have found that exercising in cold weather can increase your body’s energy expenditure even after you’ve finished your workout. You also burn more calories while exercising in the cold as your body is expending energy to keep warm.
Here’s another question for you, true or false, men and women feel cold at the same temperature. The answer is false. The external temperature at which men’s and women’s bodies begin conserving heart varies by about three degrees.