If you like to enjoy a cold drink with ice cubes at the bottom or you need cold things, especially in summer, know that you are not alone. We have all eaten ice at least once in our lives, but the constant desire for it can be a sign of two problems: anemia and anxiety.
"Pagophagia is a condition in which people feel the need to frequently chew or eat ice," says fitness instructor Chris Mohr. "It's not just the desire to eat ice, but a frequent urge that can be indicative of anemia or anxiety problems," he adds.
The most common meaning of craving ice is anemia or iron deficiency. Dietitian Michelle Routhenstein points out that this habit can signal that your body is lacking iron or other nutrients. Chewing ice is one of the body's ways of coping with this deficiency.
If your blood does not have enough red cells, then not enough oxygen is carried throughout your body. And without iron, red blood cells cannot be made. If you're looking to occupy yourself with something or avoid thoughts throughout the day, craving ice is an easy way to do it.
"Sometimes, people like ice as a way to manage stress or anxiety. The act of chewing ice can provide a calming effect or a temporary distraction," says Routhenstein. During stressful times, craving ice can also act as a psychological comfort state.
Chewing ice can also cause dental problems
Ice is good when you need to stay hydrated, but that's the only benefit of chewing it. It has no calories, no nutritional value, and not only can it be a sign of anemia, it can also damage your teeth.
"Frequent ice chewing can damage your teeth, strain your jaw muscles and increase tooth sensitivity," says instructor Mohr.
How can you stop craving ice?
First of all, it is important to understand the reasons for this habit. For people with anemia, increasing the amount of iron in your diet can help with your health. Eating red meat, chicken or dried fruit helps increase iron levels. However, including crunchy foods or carrots in your diet gives almost the same sensory satisfaction as ice, but without the negative effects of the latter.
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Source: Woman's World
