Old Wives Tales

At work yesterday, I somehow got into a conversation with a coworker about an ice cube.

 Source: http://flickr.com/photos/48600107944@N01/230644097


No, not THAT Ice Cube! THIS ice cube...wait, not quite that large. But the ice cube floating around in your favorite beverage right about now.

Source: Google Maps - Google Earth
Anyway, I don't really remember the whole conversation - ok maybe I do - but that's not really the point. The point is by the end of the chat, she informed me that chewing ice gives you anemia. I was completely shocked! ICE? Giving you anemia? So I asked her, "Where did you hear this? Some urban legend or OLD WIVES TALE?"  "No, " she replied "from my doctor." Ok, now I was really concerned~ about a couple things: 1. What sort of doctor was this that he would state that chewing ice causes anemia? My first thought~ a dentist but she assured me that it was her GP and not her dentist.
Before we go any further, let's get a definition of ANEMIA. Oh Webster, we need you!


ANEMIA:Main Entry: ane·mia 

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈnē-mē-ə\

Function: noun

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek anaimia bloodlessness, from a- + -aimia -emia

Date: 1824

1 a : a condition in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, inhemoglobin, or in total volume b : ischemia
2 : lack of vitality

Source: Merriam-Webster.com

Which brings me to concern number 2: What the heck is in ICE that could cause such a condition? From what I recall, ICE is simply frozen water. Now my high school chemistry is a bit rusty but I think water is generally broken down chemically into H2O (hydrogen and oxygen). So if it's okay to drink water (in most places at least) then why would freezing it cause it to be reformulated into something that would rob your blood of vital red blood cells? Perhaps the process of chewing the ICE has something to do with it? 

Frightening, no? I mean I used to joke that all the things that THEY tell us are good for us one day wouldn't be - had they finally gone and put ICE and by virtue of it's composition WATER on a the "bad for you" list?

I went to the MayoClinic - alright, the MayoClinic's website- for an answer. 

Wait - the following interview didn't ACTUALLY happen but if I'd had a chance to speak to a MayoClinic hematologist, it might have. (smile).

Mackgurl: Does Chewing ICE cause anemia or is this another old wives tale? (Old Wives? Hmm)

MayoClinic.com: "...craving and chewing ice (pagophagia) is often associated with iron deficiency anemia..." Source: MayoClinic.com

Mackgurl:  So not a cause of anemia? What a relief, especially since I've just recently increased my H2O intake.So what's the deal with people chewing on ICE?

MayoClinic.com: "...some people with iron deficiency anemia crave and chew ice." Source: MayoClinic.com

Mackgurl: Ah, so that's the correlation (yeah, I can use a big word or two every now and then) So, it's a symptom?

MayoClinic.com: "Results from one study suggest it may be because of ice's pain-relieving properties, since some people with iron deficiency anemia experience tongue pain and inflammation (glossitis)." (Source: MayoClinic.com)

Mackgurl: Wow, thanks so much for clearing that up.

MayoClinic.com: "The same researchers found that ice has a new and better taste to some people who are iron deficient." Source: MayoClinic.com

So, there you have it folks. Another OLD WIVES TALE unraveled. (Old Wives, hmm) Chewing ice does not cause anemia. It may, however, be a symptom of anemia. And, if the ice tastes better to people who suffer from the condition, perhaps that's why they chew it like crazy? Simply because it tastes good to them? Really? Hmm, tastes like water to me...unless, of course, you freeze cherry KOOLAID instead. YUMMY.

Peace,

~Mackgurl