TikTok has become a breeding ground for captivating but doubtful claims. The latest weight loss sensation is the “ice hack diet”. This shortcut to shedding unwanted pounds has gained millions of views. It promises rapid results without the need for exercise or dietary changes.
Many videos say the same thing: “This diet secret is making news, but videos get taken down because it exposes lies from the weight loss industry.” Then, influencers show pictures of their family, who lost 60 to 80 pounds using the ice hack. All without changing what they eat or exercising.
Understanding the Ice Hack Diet:
The Ice Hack diet, also known as the Alpine Ice Hack, is not really about ice but a fancy supplement called Alpilean. People in videos talk about it and show ice, but they’re talking about these expensive capsules.
Now, they claim that the reason we have belly fat is that our inner body temperature is too low. They point to a 2020 study by researchers at Stanford University that says the average inner body temperature in the U.S. has dropped a tiny bit over the years.
The creators of the alpine ice hack say that the reduced temperatures are the main reason we’re getting more obese. However, the scientist from the Stanford study, Julie Parsonnet, says that there are many other factors involved in the rising obesity.
Our eating habits have changed. We move less and also stay indoors. Our immune systems have degraded. The good bacteria in our bodies have also reduced. So, saying that low body temperature is the primary cause of belly fat, is difficult to believe.
The Ingredients
The Alpilean supplement consists of six plant ingredients from the Himalayas like –
- Bigarade (Bitter) Orange
- Golden Algae (Fucoxanthin)
- Dika Nut (African Mango Seed)
- Drumstick Tree Leaf (Moringa)
- Ginger
- Turmeric (Curcumin)
The company claims these ingredients boost your body temperature and help burn calories. Although there are no strong studies to prove it.
What Do Dietician Says About It
A dietitian, Colleen Tewksbury says that these ingredients have only shown small temperature improvements in animals, but not in humans. And one of them, bitter orange, isn’t recommended for treating obesity because the evidence isn’t clear.
Tewksbury also says these supplements are usually safe, but they might interact with medications. So, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before trying them, especially if you’re taking other medicines.
How to Follow the Alpine Ice Hack
The alpine ice hack is not a specific diet plan. According to the company, you don’t need to change what you eat or exercise to lose belly fat, which is a bit suspicious for a weight loss idea.
The company talks about the benefits of ice in online videos, but its main idea is selling a weight loss product called Alpilean. They also claim it helps you “melt fat even when you’re asleep.”
The company mentions that to follow the plan, you just need to take one pill every day with a glass of cold water. They don’t suggest any other changes.
We do advise you to follow a good weight management plan. It can be things like changing what you eat, being more active and adjusting your habits. So, just taking a pill might not be the best or healthiest way to manage your weight.
What Is the Role of Ice?
Even though the ice hack isn’t really about ice, it’s not the first time people claimed that ice can help you lose weight. Back in 2014, Dr. Brian Weiner said eating ice could burn calories because your body needs energy to melt it.
In reality, being exposed to cold doesn’t do much for your metabolism, says Tewksbury. It might even make things harder.
Some studies with animals found that being in the cold a lot made them eat more, but we don’t know if the same happens in people. If it does, losing weight could be difficult.
Also, some studies show that athletes who drank cold water during exercise didn’t raise their metabolism as the ice theory suggests. Instead, it slowed down. So, the idea that ice can help you lose weight might not be as good as it sounds.
How Much Does the Ice Hack Diet Cost?
The Ice Hack diet supplements are exclusive to the company’s website. There are multiple Alpilean websites, each with slightly different details. You can also find various versions of Alpilean weight loss capsules on Amazon.
Ice Hack Alternative
If you decide to purchase directly from the company, a bottle of Alpilean costs $59. The company recommends using it for a minimum of three to six months for the best results. Opting for the complete six months would mean a total cost of $354. So, depending on your choice and how long you plan to use it, the price varies.
Things get even more confusing with the ice hack because there are some videos about the “Mediterranean diet” to magically get rid of belly fat. They’re talking about a different supplement from a company called Liv Pure. This one claims to use ingredients from the Mediterranean instead of the Himalayan Alps.
Liv Pure says the real problem causing stubborn belly fat is a compromised liver. It says ingredients like berberine, resveratrol, choline, genistein, and chlorogenic acid. These can boost your liver’s ability to burn fat, but there’s no proof to support these claims. Each bottle of Liv Pure costs $69 for a month.