Crunching on ice can be annoying to fellow diners. But now new
research suggests it also may signal a health problem, writes
Anahad O’Connor in today’s “Really?” column. Oddly enough, in
recent years, cravings for ice have emerged in the medical
literature as a puzzling and increasingly documented sign of
anemia, especially its most common form, iron deficiency anemia.
Scientists don’t fully understand the link, but some suspect
that compulsive consumption of ice — called pagophagia —
relieves inflammation in the mouth brought on by iron
deficiencies. To learn more, read the full column, “The Claim: A
Craving for Ice Is a Sign of Anemia,” and then please join the
discussion below. Have you or someone you know craved ice and
been diagnosed with anemia? Please share your story.