Ice Cream Research Introduction
Currently, there are over 1,500 studies about ice cream. Although many consider topics like production methods. Other studies consider the effects of eating ice cream. So this is a brief introduction to some of the best ice cream research.
Ice Cream Research Topics
Here are my first 4 studies about ice cream. But there are hundreds more. So, would you like me to review other facts about ice cream? If yes, please add your comments after the end of this article.
Ice Cream Headache
My first study describes ice cream as a common cause of headache. Often referred to as “brain freeze”. The author considers concerns that ice cream headache might be a form of migraine. But concludes that it is probably caused by eating ice cream the wrong way.
Hulihan, J., 1997. Ice cream headache. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 314(7091), p.1364.
Raskin has suggested that ice cream headache may represent a model of migraine, in that both encompass disordered thresholds to sensory stimuli.1 It would be of interest to determine whether antimigraine drugs that modulate serotonergic pathways have any effect on ice cream headache.
No treatment is usually required, and sufferers rarely seek medical attention. Since the posterior aspect of the palate is most likely to produce the referred pain of ice cream headache, avoiding contact of the cold food with this area can effectively eliminate the symptoms. Most people arrive at such preventive measures without the advice of doctors. Ice cream abstinence is not indicated.
Ice Cream & Fat
My second study describes concerns about potentially high saturated fat content in ice cream. However, research indicates that incorporating some unsaturated fat can improve ice cream.
Vega, C., 2013. Healthier ice cream?. Scientific American, 308(1), pp.21-21.
40 to 60 percent unsaturated fats are very effective at building structure in ice cream. Such fats can be blends of any highly unsaturated oil (such as high-oleic sunflower or canola oil) and saturated fats such as coconut oil or cocoa butter. […] Because of their shape, the amount of fat needed to create a stable frozen foam (via partial coalescence) decreases. This opens up the possibility for low(er) fat, creamy, slow-melting ice cream.
Ice Cream Allergy
This case study reviews how cellulose gum added to ice cream might cause acute allergic reactions. Including pruritus (itching), urticaria (rash), dyspnea (breathing difficulties), the urge to defecate, hypotension (low blood pressure), and syncope (fainting) without unconsciousness. The researchers point out that cellulose gum has to be included in packaged food. But there is no such requirement where ice cream is sold unpackaged. In this case, King Fusion Oreo Ice Cream at Burger King.
Brockow, K., Bauerdorf, F., Kugler, C., Darsow, U. and Biedermann, T., 2021. “Idiopathic” anaphylaxis caused by carboxymethylcellulose in ice cream. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 9(1), pp.555-557.
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a hydrophilic additive commonly used to bind, stabilize, and thicken substances in food and pharmaceutical products. […] Anaphylaxis to drugs containing carboxymethylcellulose has been reported. We present a patient who developed anaphylaxis after eating carboxymethylcellulose containing ice cream. Thus, carboxymethylcellulose has to be considered as a new elicitor for anaphylaxis in foods.
Ice Cream & Kidney Failure
In my final study, researchers prepared ice cream for kidney patients on dialysis. Using rice milk, egg whites, evaporated coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla bean paste for the base. With flavor choices of lemon or cinnamon.
Iocca, A., Bardwell, A.M., Schumacher, J.R. and Barnes, J.L., 2022. Ice-cream substitute for patients with kidney failure. Journal of Renal Nutrition, 32(2), pp.207-213.
Based on the nutritional analysis, both the lemon and the cinnamon flavors were found to be “good” sources of protein when compared with the Food and Drug Administration’s definition of a “good” source of protein
Your Ice Cream Story
Which aspects of ice cream are you interested in? How do you think eating ice cream might affect your health or wellbeing?
Please tell me your ice cream story below.
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