It has been suggested that eating ice can aid in weight loss (1,2). The argument is very simple: it takes energy to melt ice. Thus, eating ice will burn more calories and reduce weight.

However, eating ice may generate certain behavioral and physiological responses in our bodies that will increase body weight. When we eat ice, our sensory system detects coldness. As a protective mechanism, our bodies may increase fat production to provide better insulation.

Eating ice and drinking cold drinks does burn calories. However, coldness generates many physiological responses in our bodies (3,4). For example, eating ice may induce us to eat more food to compensate for this energy loss.

In cold environments, animals often develop a very high fat content in their bodies. Similarly, those who drink cold beers often develop a beer belly.

The causes of obesity have been discussed extensively in the research community and in the public. But there is minimal research on the relationship between cold drinks, eating ice and obesity. As cold drinks are very prevalent, further research on the relationship between obesity and cold drinks will have important social and economic implications.

References

1. Weiner BC, Weiner, AC, The Ice Diet, Weiner BC, Weiner AC. The Ice Diet. Ann Intern Med. 2010;153:279.

2. Hamblin, James, The Ice Diet, The Atlantic, May 28, 2014

3. Dubnov-Raz, G., Constantini, N. W., Yariv, H., Nice, S., & Shapira, N. (2011). Influence of water drinking on resting energy expenditure in overweight children. International journal of obesity, 35(10), 1295-1300.

4. Šrámek, P., Šimečková, M., Jansky, L., Šavlíková, J., & Vybiral, S. (2000). Human physiological responses to immersion into water of different temperatures. European journal of applied physiology, 81(5), 436-442.