A comfortable indoor working temperature in modern buildings could help tackle major metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, according to a new study.
The research, “Healthy excursions outside the thermal comfort zone”, reveals how exposure to mildly cold or warm environments, outside the standard comfort zone inside buildings of 21-22 deg C, increases metabolism and energy expenditure and may help to reduce obesity.
For those with type 2 diabetes, exposure to mild coldness influences glucose metabolism and after 10 days of intermittent cold, patients had increased insulin sensitivity by more than 40%. These results for diabetes treatment are comparable with the best pharmaceutical solutions available.
As a result of the positive benefits, the report’s authors advocate that living conditions in modern buildings, such as homes and offices, should be dynamic and incorporate drifting temperatures to support healthy human environments.
Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt, the lead author of the study and professor of ecological energetics and health at Maastricht University, said: “It has previously been assumed that stable fixed indoor temperatures would satisfy comfort and health in most people.
“However, this research indicates that mild cold and variable temperatures may have a positive effect on our health and at the same time are acceptable or even may create pleasure.”
Richard Lorch, editor in chief, commented: “This ground-breaking research provides a new approach to how we think about the heating and cooling of our buildings.
“The health benefits from a short exposure to a more varied temperature range will redefine our expectations on thermal comfort. In turn, this will change our practices for heating and cooling our buildings.”
The research, part of a forthcoming Building Research & Information special issue entitled Rethinking Thermal Comfort, examines the practices of thermal comfort, and offers solutions providing healthier, comfortable, low-energy solutions in buildings.
