Thermogenesis is a process that increases weight loss through the creation of heat causing an increase in nervous system activity, increasing metabolic rate at rest.  The three types of thermogenesis are

• Exercise-associated thermogenesis (EAT): This is where the body creates heat to warm-up muscle because warm muscles are more effective than cold muscles
• Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT): The average body temperature is 98.7 degrees, which is significantly above most surrounding areas.  To compensate the body uses thermogenesis to maintain this temperature. An example of this is the body shivering to try to warm itself up.
• Diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT): This is the increased amount of energy expenditure above the normal metabolic rate.

Diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) helps burn fat by causing the body to expend more energy in activities such as ingestion, digestion, absorption of nutrients, and the transportation nutrients through the blood.  Foods that promote thermogenesis also have been known to work as an appetite suppressant.  Thermogenesis also burns fat through the increase of body heat by activating brown adipose tissue (BAT). 

Brown adipose tissue is unique to mammals.  Humans have small deposits of BAT in the body, but frequently activating thermogenesis increases the amount of BAT in the body.  BAT is activated in response to a drop in temperature or the consumption of certain foods.

A study done on prisoners in a Vermont correction facility where its residents consumed an excessive amount of calorie based on their metabolism levels.  The study predicted a 21% increase in weight; however, the study noted that the inmates had trouble gaining weight and some inmates even lost weight during this period.  The study believes the primary reason for this was the large meals activated thermogenesis and the prisoners burnt the excess calories through heat.