Weight reduction is a common goal, with about half of American adults trying to lose weight each year[1]Attempts to Lose Weight Among Adults in the United States, 2013–2016. . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 11/10/23. . And while consuming fewer calories and getting more exercise are proven weight loss methods, they take time. It’s no surprise that clever marketing—and the desire for faster results—has turned diet culture into a booming business. From meal replacement programs to liposuction, the U.S. weight loss industry made $135 billion in 2022[2]U.S. Weight Loss Market 2023–2032. Custom Market Insights. Accessed 11/10/23. .
One product gaining attention for weight loss is Alpilean’s dietary supplement, marketed as the “ice hack”, which claims to raise the body’s internal temperature to burn fat. However, experts are skeptical about the effectiveness and safety of the dietary supplement. Here, we dive into the science behind the ice hack to uncover whether it’s worth the investment.
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What Is the Ice Hack for Weight Loss?
“The Alpine ice hack is not a specific diet,” explains Kimberly Gomer, a registered dietitian specializing in weight management in Miami. Instead, it involves drinking a glass of ice water and taking Alpilean, a dietary supplement. The product website claims that following this protocol raises your inner body temperature (the temperature of your inner organs and cells), boosting your metabolism and rapidly dissolving stubborn fat. On TikTok the products hashtag #icehack has received over 1 million views.
How Does the Ice Hack Work?
Alpilean is designed to optimize inner body temperature, according to the company. But Gomer says the science linking body temperature to weight gain is weak. For example, Alpilean references a 2020 study to support its claim that lower internal body temperature is the main cause of excess fat. The study found that humans’ average internal body temperature (a metabolic rate marker) has gradually reduced over time, resulting in greater body mass[3]Protsiv M, Ley C, Lankester J, et al. Decreasing human body temperature in the United States since the industrial revolution. Elife. 2020 Jan 7;9:e49555. . Using this research, Alpilean concludes that low internal body temperature causes excess body fat.
But when it comes to weight gain and obesity, there are more important factors to consider. Research indicates the main drivers behind the worldwide increase in body weight are the intake of too many calories and decreased physical activity[4]Shook RP, Blair SN, et al. What is Causing the Worldwide Rise in Body Weight?. Eur Endocrinol. 2014 Aug;10(2):136-144. .
“Alpilean claims no changes in diet or exercise are required to start melting belly fat, which is a big red flag for any weight management plan,” warns Gomer.
Alpilean’s advertising also relies heavily on influencer testimonials, which can be hard to authenticate. YouTube recently removed one of Alpilean’s viral ads because it violated the platform’s spam policy, which states that “content that intends to scam, mislead, spam or defraud other users isn’t allowed on YouTube.”
Does the Ice Hack Diet Help You Lose Weight?
The concept of creating a higher body temperature to lose weight is not new, says Kelsey Latimer, Ph.D., a registered nurse and certified eating disorder specialist supervisor at KML Psychological Services in Stuart, Florida. Products known as thermogenics, or “fat burners,” often claim to boost metabolism via this mechanism, but concerns about their safety and efficacy shouldn’t be overlooked, she says.
“I have yet to see the National Institutes of Health or any other federal government department placing a seal of approval on weight loss supplements,” says Latimer. In recent years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found hundreds of tainted weight loss products that contain harmful drugs or ingredients not listed on the product label.
“Millions of frustrated dieters want to believe anything that comes close to the magical promise of ‘take this pill, and you don’t have to diet or exercise to achieve a perfect body,’” says Gomer. But according to the Federal Trade Commission, any product that claims to promote weight loss without diet and exercise is making a false promise.
Consumers should save their money and work on making lifestyle changes (like a healthy diet, sufficient sleep, regular exercise and stress reduction) to promote weight loss instead, advises Gomer.
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Ingredients in Alpilean
The ingredients of Aplilean include:
- Dika nut (African mango seed)
- Golden algae (fucoxanthin)
- Drumstick tree leaf (moringa)
- Bigarade orange (citrus bioflavonoids)
- Ginger root
- Turmeric root
Alpilean claims that these ingredients raise internal body temperature and turn food into energy instead of fat.
“While it is possible to have a very slight metabolic boost from a supplement (such as caffeine or carnitine), it would not be enough to impact fat loss,” says Gomer. She explains that food only becomes energy when the body needs fuel. “If there is no caloric deficit (via exercise or diet), no supplement will convert food into fuel or energy,” says Gomer.
Gomer points out that no scientific trials of this combination of ingredients exist. And while a small body of evidence points to potential weight loss benefits of some of the individual components, research backing the supplement is unfounded.
- Bigarade (bitter) orange: According to a 2020 research review, evidence supporting bitter orange to increase energy expenditure and fat breakdown is low in quality. Researchers concluded that the supplement should not be recommended for weight loss[5]Watanabe M, Risi R, et al. Current Evidence to Propose Different Food Supplements for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients. 2020 Sep 20;12(9):2873. .
- Golden algae (fucoxanthin): Tissue and animal studies indicate that fucoxanthin, a carotenoid found in seaweed and algae, may have antiobesity effects[6]Peng J, Yuan JP, et al. Fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid present in brown seaweeds and diatoms: metabolism and bioactivities relevant to human health. Mar Drugs. 2011;9(10):1806-1828. . More research is required to substantiate these results in humans.
- Dika nut (African mango seed): In a systematic review of controlled trials, researchers concluded that quality trials are needed before African mango can be recommended as a weight loss aid[7]Onakpoya I, Davies L, et al. The efficacy of Irvingia gabonensis supplementation in the management of overweight and obesity: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. 2013. In: Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews [Internet]. York (UK): Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (UK); 1995-. .
- Drumstick tree leaf (moringa): A 2021 animal study found that moringa produced antiobesity effects in rats by reducing lipid absorption and increasing blood sugar control, but human trials are needed[8]Alkhudhayri DA, Osman MA, et al. Moringa peregrina leaf extracts produce anti-obesity, hypoglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective effects on high-fat diet fed rats. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021 Jun;28(6):3333-3342. .
- Ginger: A 2019 research review found that 473 individuals who supplemented with ginger extract experienced more significant weight loss and improved blood sugar than those who did not[9]Maharlouei N, Tabrizi R, et al. The effects of ginger intake on weight loss and metabolic profiles among overweight and obese subjects: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(11):1753-1766. . Larger scale studies are necessary.
- Turmeric (curcumin): A 2022 research review concluded that while curcumin may have anti-obesity effects, more comprehensive human studies are necessary to assess its effectiveness in managing human obesity[10]Kasprzak-Drozd K, Oniszczuk T, et al. Curcumin and Weight Loss: Does It Work?. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jan 7;23(2):639. .
The bottom line? More research is needed to support using these ingredients—individually or combined—for weight loss.
Cost of Alpilean
Alpilean is available in three quantities:
- A bottle of 30 capsules (a 30-day supply) costs $59 plus $9.95 for shipping
- Three bottles of 30 capsules (a 90-day supply) costs $147 plus $9.95 for shipping
- Six bottles of 30 capsules (a 180-day supply) costs $234; shipping is free
Risks of Alpilean
Any weight loss product comes with the potential risk of self-esteem problems and eating disorders, says Latimer. “This can be damaging and create a dangerous cycle of disordered thinking and eating patterns,” she says.
It’s also important to recognize that supplements can reduce the absorption of many medications or result in serious interactions, she says.
Additionally, the FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety or efficacy. Rather the supplement company must ensure the label is accurate. It is recommended to only purchase dietary supplements tested by third-party organizations such as NSF international, US Pharmacopeia and Underwriters Laboratory. These organizations ensure a product contains acceptable levels of contaminants and test for ingredient quality, strength (quantity) and purity. Notably, Alpilean is not third-party tested.
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Should You Try Alpilean?
Citing a lack of evidence-backed ingredients that will “lead to weight loss goals,” Gomer does not recommend anyone try Alpilean. Latimer agrees, expressing concern about any product that promises instant change. “I encourage people to engage in a healthy lifestyle of moderation, balance and variety,” says Latimer.
When to Call a Doctor
Gomer recommends contacting a nutrition expert, such as a registered dietitian, for weight loss advice, as they are qualified to provide science-based, personalized recommendations. Latimer also recommends contacting a health care provider if you develop a negative relationship with food that is making your life unmanageable.
While overweight and obesity are linked with numerous health risks, your body weight isn’t the full picture. Latimer highlights factors like blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol that are also important indicators of health.
Your body can be healthy across various weights, and living a healthy lifestyle should be the primary focus, says Latimer.
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