Overview

• Repeated cold water immersion over seven days significantly improved autophagic function, a cellular process critical for recycling damaged components.
• Participants experienced initial cellular stress, marked by autophagic dysfunction and elevated levels of p62 protein and caspase-3 enzyme.
• By the seventh day, protective autophagic activity surpassed cell death signaling, indicating cellular adaptation and improved cold tolerance.
• The study suggests potential applications for cold water immersion in enhancing cellular resilience to treat aging and chronic diseases, though further research is needed.
• Researchers emphasize the need for larger, more diverse participant groups to validate findings and explore broader health applications.