Have a cold one to burn fat

I've come across research suggesting that water has a thermogenic affect on fat. I've also come across research suggesting that research suggesting that water has a thermogenic affect on fat is unsubstantiated and untrue. As this scientific tennis match continues, new research gives the advantage to those who believe the former.

Based on a study conducted in Germany, water can cause a rise in metabolism and contribute to the burning of fat. In said study, researchers found that drinking a 16 ounce glass of cold water increased the metabolism of volunteers by as much as 24 percent over their normal metabolic rate, with this increase lasting as long as 90 minutes.

What caused this increase? Researchers posit that it has to do with the energy generated by the body as it warms the water during digestion. This could very well be the case, as there was no mention of the volunteers drinking warm water or any subsequent effects.