Iced Americano in winter? What Koreans’ habit may reveal about their health
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Even as temperatures plunge, many people still reach for iced Americanos or chew on ice cubes. In South Korea, the phrase “iced coffee no matter how cold it gets” has become so common that it is often shortened to a popular slang term. But health experts warn that an intense preference for ice-cold drinks in winter may be less about taste and more about what the body lacks.
If you find yourself craving ice even in the depths of winter or habitually chewing on it, iron deficiency may be the underlying cause. This behavior is especially common among people with anemia or those who consume iron-poor diets. Anemia occurs when the body lacks sufficient iron to produce red blood cells efficiently.
According to a paper published in PubMed, a U.S. medical database, 88 percent of patients with iron-deficiency anemia experience pagophagia, a condition marked by compulsive ice chewing. Researchers say iron deficiency can cause symptoms such as tongue pain, dry mouth and mouth ulcers, and chewing ice may temporarily relieve these discomforts, reinforcing the habit.
An obsession with cold drinks can also point to high stress levels. Similar to spicy food, cold foods stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the release of stored glucose and oxygen throughout the body to help respond quickly to perceived emergencies. This reaction can make cold beverages feel refreshing or calming during stressful periods.
However, regularly drinking icy beverages or chewing ice can be harmful to health. One major concern is dental damage. Tooth enamel, the outermost protective layer of the teeth, can crack under repeated stress. Once a crack forms, sharp, sensitive pain can interfere with daily life, and bacteria can enter the damaged area. Over time, the damage may worsen, potentially leading to broken teeth.
People with high blood pressure should be particularly cautious. Cold weather already causes blood vessels to constrict as the body works to maintain its temperature, raising blood pressure in the process. Studies show that for every drop of 1 degree Celsius in temperature, systolic blood pressure rises by about 1.3 millimeters of mercury and diastolic pressure by 0.6 millimeters of mercury. Drinking cold beverages can further disrupt blood pressure regulation, increasing the risk of sudden spikes.
For better winter health, experts recommend choosing warm drinks when possible and paying close attention to iron intake. Iron-rich foods include lean meat, fish, beans and eggs, as well as green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and bok choy.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.