Cold Headache Can ice cream trigger a brain freeze in the head?

Is there a cold caused by ice cream causing the so-called cold headache?
"Do not eat too much ice, it can cause brain frost," is a common warning from parents to their children. But is that really true or is it just a myth that persists? But as unlikely as it sounds, there is a spark of truth in it!

Myth "brain frost" by ice
"Brain freeze" is not the freezing of the brain but rather a stinging headache caused by cold such as ice cream. "About one third of the population also describes it," explains neurologist Maike Hesse from the University of Cologne in the ARD Morgenmagazin.

Cold can cause a sensation that triggers a headache (Image: kitty / fotolia.com)

The so-called "ice ball headache" can be caused by a cold on the palate, in which the head muscles and vessels suddenly cramp, reports the technicians Crane (TK) Lower Saxony. "But not only ice cream, ice cubes or very cold drinks can trigger this effect. The colder food and drinks are, the more severe the cold headache can be, but usually it only lasts for a short time, "explains the cash register.

If you are prone to it, you should either forego the cool enjoyment or try to push the ice as little as possible against the palate.

Normally this cold headache is not dangerous and disappears after a short time. But who is prone to headaches and especially migraines, should be careful, because a cold can also trigger a migraine attack. Those affected should best abstain from eating ice cream or, if possible, avoid pressing the ice against the palate. The TK also advises "to warm the creamy cold pleasure slowly in the mouth and then swallow it down".

Care for allergy sufferers is also important when it comes to cool enjoyment. Many ice creams contain allergenic substances such as nuts and flavorings. While the packaged ice from the freezer provides information on the ingredients on the packaging, sufferers should ask for safety in the ice cream parlor. Information on certain ingredients must also be shown there on the ice charts.

Myth "Ice harms the belly"
Now and then do you hear parents say to their children "No, there is no ice cream now. From ice you get stomachache ". Whether these parents really believe in it or just want to avoid further discussions with their children is questionable. Because the fact is that various myths around the topic "Ice makes you fat and causes stomach aches" are rampant.

Depending on its ingredients, ice cream can contain many - but only a few - calories. 75 grams of ice cream contain about 150 as ice cream, about 100 for fruit ice and about 95 calories for milk ice cream. Milk ice cream contains not only comparatively few calories but also minerals such as calcium, vitamins and protein. No question, sugar is also included and thus can be difficult on the subject of ice cream from the really "healthy enjoyment".

Who wants to pay attention to his slim line, should give up cream, nuts and chocolate in the ice. More suitable is fruit ice cream - without cream. In most cases, packaged ice cream in the style of Magnum or Nogger contains more than 200 calories and can therefore be categorized as "fattening".

If only natural and as healthy as possible ingredients are desired in the ice, the cool enjoyment can also be made by yourself. Many recipes do not even need an ice cream maker. For example, children enjoy an ice cream made from fruit juice.

You usually get stomach ache from ice cream as well as from other goodies only when you're overeating. The temperature alone does not cause any discomfort, as the ice in the mouth is heated and has almost reached normal body temperature when it arrives in the stomach.

Myth "Salmonella die off in the ice"
Salmonella is a much discussed topic, especially in summer, as the high temperatures provide optimal conditions for the proliferation of bacteria. The consumption of foods contaminated with Salmonella can cause so-called salmonellosisitis (salmonellosis), which is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. For healthy people, the infection is usually harmless and after a short time over. Infants and young children, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system, however, can become seriously ill. It can cause symptoms such as fever, heavy fluid loss and rapid weight loss that require immediate hospital treatment.

Salmonella are extremely resistant and even survive in the freezer. If ice cream is contaminated with Salmonella, the bacteria will not die in the freezer, but can continue to multiply as soon as the ice is removed from the cooling. Particularly high is the risk for salmonella with soft ice cream from the machine on the street corner or on the hype. (Sb)