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On a hot summer day, is there anything more refreshing than a sparkling ice cube?
A community of ice chewers think not! This large group of munchers have proclaimed their love for the practice of chewing ice (www.icechewing.com) and praise it as a calorie-free treat that they engage in pretty much at all times of the day. Some buy cups and even bags of ice from fast food places. Some have special ice machines installed in their houses. There are even "teeth-friendly" ice cubes being manufactured that are easier to chomp on.
It does offer a quick, calorie-free alternative to popping in a stick of sugary gum or sucking on a sugary popsicle. But is ice chewing bad for your teeth? The American Dental Association says that ice chewing can lead to gum and tooth injuries. They recommend sucking slowly on ice or allowing it to melt on the tongue. And many medical professionals now link excessive ice chewing to pagophagia , a type of pica associated with anemia and iron deficiency. (Many people who chewed ice constantly found they no longer had the obsessive desire once iron levels were restored within their bodies through supplements or their diets.)
But whether you're new to this trend, a confirmed ice chewer, or think the whole idea is crazy, you can still cool down this summer with an icy treat. Try this cool and refreshing trick: Combine 100% fruit juice with 50% water. Pour into ice cube tray. The next time you have a craving for something sweet, pop one of these cubes into your mouth and savor the natural sweetness without the sugar!
