A couple of weeks back, I contracted a bad cold and was coughing all through the day and night. As I was reaching for the tissue boxes and was preparing the hot tea, a thought crossed my mind randomly: Does coughing burn calories? I had been feeling tired, as though I had done a workout.
I wondered why I shouldn’t try it myself. I even purchased an intelligent fitness bracelet on Amazon to determine my calorie expenditure during the day. I wanted to know whether I was losing a few calories as a result of my constant coughing, or if it was a myth.
I decided to purchase on Amazon due to its high-quality delivery and perfect reviews of fitness tracking products. I meant to discover the truth on the basis of actual results, and not assumptions. The information that I discovered after a week of coughing was quite surprising and interesting to share.
Second Paragraph: The Promise
If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I lose calories when I cough?” or “Does coughing burn belly fat?” then you’re in the right place. I’ll share my personal observations, the science behind it, and what medical research says about coughing and calorie burn. You’ll also learn how factors like Cold Burn Calories and how you Burn More Calories in the Heat can influence your overall energy use. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear, honest answer supported by both experience and verified sources like Respiratory Therapy Zone and Power Dreamer.
Third Paragraph: My Detailed Research and Observations
When I first began my test, I didn’t expect coughing to affect my metabolism at all. But after tracking my activity for 7 days, I noticed my fitness tracker showed slightly higher calorie burn compared to normal rest days.
Here’s what I discovered:
- Each coughing fit engages your core muscles.
Every time you cough, your abdominal muscles tighten, and your diaphragm contracts — a motion similar to doing mini crunches. This muscular contraction does burn energy, although minimal. Just like understanding how Cycling Work targets your muscles, knowing which muscles activate during coughing helps explain the small calorie burn.
Average calories burned:
According to medical estimations and references from Power Dreamer, coughing can burn 10–20 calories per hour, depending on intensity and duration. So, while it’s true that you burn calories when you cough, the amount is relatively small.How many calories do you burn when you’re sick?
When your body is fighting an infection, your basal metabolic rate (BMR) increases because your body works harder to heal. Fevers, shivering, and coughing all use more energy which means you burn slightly more calories than usual.
Does Coughing Burn Belly Fat?
This was the section that I was most interested in. Although coughing tightens your abs, it does not target belly fat directly. Fat oxidation and weight lose demand a consistent calorie deficit through a combination of nutritional intake and exercise. Nevertheless, when you frequently cough, you are using your core and intercostal muscles; these muscles are put under a workout-like tension.
After looking at the information on my fitness tracker, my metabolic rate was raised a little bit when I was coughing, but not enough to notice any fat reduction. Having no coughing will not give you abs or contribute to weight lose, but it does engage your core muscles somewhat.
How Many Calories Does a Cough Drop Have?
Another medication I took during my week of testing was cough drops (mostly flavored in honey-lemon). A cough drop has approximately 1015 calories per brand. And so you may lose some calories in a cough, but you may easily gain them again by applying cough drops to relieve the cough.
An example of this is that you burn 20 calories coughing in an hour, but eat two cough drops (30 calories in total), then you are actually in a caloric surplus. It makes a strange compromise, and it is worth mentioning!
What Burns the Most Calories in 30 Minutes?
After comparing coughing with other daily activities, the results were clear — coughing can’t compete with real exercise.
Here’s what burns the most calories in 30 minutes, based on my fitness tracker and medical sources:
| Activity | Calories Burned (Approx.) |
| Running (5 mph) | 240–300 |
| Jump Rope | 250–350 |
| Dancing | 150–250 |
| Brisk Walking | 100–150 |
| Coughing | 10–20 |
So, while coughing does burn calories, the effect is minimal compared to even light physical activities like walking. You’re better off doing actual workouts for fat loss.
Pros and Cons of Calorie Burn Through Coughing
Pros:
- Engages abdominal and chest muscles slightly.
- Increases heart rate temporarily.
- Indicates your metabolism is working harder during sickness.
- Natural process — no gym needed!
Cons:
- The calorie burn is minimal and not enough for fat loss.
- Prolonged coughing can cause chest pain or fatigue.
- Relying on coughing for calorie burn is unhealthy and unsustainable.
- May lead to dehydration or throat irritation.
My Final Experience: Does Coughing Really Burn Calories?
Yes, after a week of watching, I can say that coughing burns calories, but not many. My smart tracker presented a minor increase in energy spending with constant coughing fits, but the variation was insignificant. What is more evident is the tension in the muscles surrounding the abdomen due to frequent coughing.
Personally, I felt exhausted because of coughing, and I was not losing many calories, but my body was getting rid of the infection. Therefore, when you are ill and coughing, the body is actually burning more energy, but it cannot be regarded as a workout session.
Expert Opinions & Research Insights
According to the Respiratory Therapy Zone, coughing activates respiratory and core muscles, resulting in a slight calorie burn. The source also mentions that sickness elevates energy needs, which means your body uses more calories to maintain normal functions.
Meanwhile, Power Dreamer explains that while coughing involves muscular effort, it’s not an effective or safe method for calorie burning or fat loss. Instead, it’s a byproduct of illness that increases your body’s workload.
Does Laughing Burn Calories Too?
You can indeed burn calories laughing! The laughter of 10-15 minutes may burn 10-40 calories based on the intensity. Not much, but it works to elevate the mood and the circulation. Therefore, laughing should replace coughing as a much better option for burning some calories healthily and enjoyably.
FAQs
1. Do I lose calories when I cough?
Yes, you do burn a small number of calories when coughing because it involves muscular activity and energy use. However, the amount is minimal, around 10–20 calories per hour.
2. How many calories do you burn when you’re sick?
When you’re sick, your body burns more calories due to an increased metabolic rate. Depending on fever and activity, you can burn up to 100–200 extra calories per day.
3. Does coughing burn belly fat?
No, coughing doesn’t specifically burn belly fat. It engages your abs but doesn’t create a large enough calorie deficit to reduce fat. Exercise and diet are more effective methods.
Final Words
In my personal experience, coughing did burn some calories, but not enough to count as exercise. It may tighten your core muscles briefly, but it’s not a fat-loss solution. Focus on healthy habits, balanced meals, and regular workouts for real results, not your cough!
