Do Ice Cubes Contain Calories? Separating Fact From Fiction

November 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), plain water contains zero calories, a principle that extends directly to its frozen form. So, when you ask, 'do ice cubes contain calories?', the scientific answer is a resounding no. This fundamental understanding is crucial for anyone focusing on a balanced nutrition diet and debunking common misconceptions about food energy.

Quick Summary

Ice cubes are a calorie-free way to stay hydrated and can assist with appetite control as part of a healthy diet. They contain no macronutrients, which are the source of energy measured as calories in food and drink. Using ice is a simple strategy to reduce caloric intake by replacing sugary beverages with plain water.

Key Points

Zero Calories: Ice cubes, made from pure water, contain no calories because they have none of the macronutrients—carbohydrates, fats, or proteins—that provide energy.
Hydration Essential: Consuming water in the form of ice cubes is an effective way to meet your daily hydration goals, which is vital for overall health and body function.
Replaces Empty Calories: Using ice to cool drinks is a simple way to replace high-calorie, sugary beverages with a zero-calorie alternative, aiding in weight management.
Myth of Negative Calories: The energy your body burns to warm cold water to body temperature is so minimal that it does not contribute significantly to weight loss.
Dental Health Risk: Chewing ice excessively can damage tooth enamel, crack teeth, and increase sensitivity over time.
Underlying Health Concerns: A persistent compulsion to chew ice (pagophagia) can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

The Fundamental Science of Calories

To understand whether ice cubes contain calories, it's essential to first grasp what a calorie is. A calorie is a unit of energy, and in nutrition, it refers to the energy your body gets from the food and drinks you consume. This energy is primarily derived from three macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The energy content of food is typically measured by either burning a food sample in a device called a bomb calorimeter or by using the Atwater system, which applies average calorie values to each macronutrient. Water, however, contains none of these macronutrients.

Why Water and Ice Are Calorie-Free

As a chemical compound, water is simply H₂O and lacks any organic material that can be metabolized for energy. Since an ice cube is merely water in a solid state, its nutritional composition remains unchanged during the freezing process. Therefore, the energy value of ice is zero, just like liquid water. This makes it one of the few truly calorie-free things you can consume.

Debunking the "Negative Calorie" Myth

The idea of "negative calorie foods" often comes up in diet discussions, suggesting that certain foods burn more calories during digestion than they provide. While your body does expend a small amount of energy—a process called thermogenesis—to warm cold water or ice to body temperature, the amount of calories burned is negligible and not a significant contributor to weight loss.

Comparing the Caloric Impact: Ice Water vs. Sugary Drinks

To put the impact of ice into perspective, consider this comparison:


Feature	Ice Water	Sugary Drink (e.g., Soda)
Calorie Count	0 calories	~140 calories per 12 oz
Nutritional Value	Trace minerals (e.g., calcium, magnesium)	Little to no nutritional value
Hydration	Excellent source of hydration	Can contribute to dehydration
Energy Source	Provides no energy to the body	Contains empty calories from sugar
Appetite Impact	Can help increase satiety	Sugar can increase cravings

This table highlights why replacing calorie-dense beverages with plain water or ice water is a simple and effective strategy for weight management.

The Benefits of Integrating Ice into Your Diet

Incorporating ice into your daily routine, especially as a replacement for high-calorie drinks, offers several advantages for a healthy diet:

Promotes Hydration: As a form of water, ice helps meet your daily fluid intake requirements, which is essential for numerous bodily functions, including temperature regulation and nutrient transport.
Increases Satiety: Sucking on ice cubes or drinking cold water can provide a feeling of fullness, which may help curb unnecessary snacking between meals.
Supports Weight Management: By swapping sugary drinks for ice water, you eliminate a significant source of empty calories, which can aid in controlling overall caloric intake.
Enhances Flavored Water: For those who dislike plain water, adding ice with a slice of lemon, cucumber, or a few berries can provide flavor without adding calories.

Potential Risks and Health Considerations

While generally harmless, excessive chewing of ice, a condition known as pagophagia, can indicate an underlying medical issue, most commonly iron deficiency anemia. Beyond that, it's important to be aware of the potential for dental damage.

The Impact on Dental Health

One of the most significant risks associated with chewing ice is the potential for dental problems. The hard, abrasive nature of ice can:

Damage tooth enamel: Chewing can chip or crack enamel, increasing tooth sensitivity.
Crack or chip teeth: The extreme cold and hardness can damage teeth, especially if you have fillings or crowns.
Cause injury to gums: It can harm your gums and lead to potential bleeding or damage over time.

If you find yourself with an uncontrollable urge to chew ice, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out any medical conditions and address potential iron deficiencies. An alternative could be to let the ice melt in your mouth rather than chewing it.

Conclusion

To put it plainly, the answer to the question "do ice cubes contain calories?" is no. As frozen water, they are entirely free of calories and serve as an excellent tool for hydration. While the myth of "negative calories" is not scientifically sound as a weight-loss method, using ice water to replace sugary beverages is a highly effective and simple strategy for reducing your overall caloric intake. Remember to stay mindful of the dental risks associated with chewing ice and, when in doubt about persistent cravings, consult with a medical professional. Overall, integrating ice water into a well-rounded diet is a smart and healthy choice for maintaining proper hydration and managing your weight.

For more information on the health benefits of water and maintaining proper hydration, visit the CDC website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking cold water, especially after an intense workout, can help lower body temperature, aid rehydration, and support muscle recovery. It also promotes hydration just like water of any temperature.

While your body expends a very small amount of energy (calories) to warm ice water to your body's core temperature, this effect is negligible and should not be relied upon for significant metabolic changes or weight loss.

Chewing ice can be harmful to your teeth, potentially causing cracks, chips, and damage to enamel. While occasional chewing might be fine, chronic ice chewing is not recommended for dental health.

Yes, the compulsive craving and chewing of ice, a condition called pagophagia, is sometimes a symptom of iron deficiency anemia. If you frequently crave ice, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional.

Yes. If ice cubes are made from or contain flavored syrups, juices, or any other ingredients with calories, they will not be calorie-free. Only ice made from plain, unflavored water contains zero calories.

Using ice cubes as a zero-calorie addition to water or unsweetened drinks is a simple strategy. This helps you feel fuller and more hydrated, reducing the temptation to consume high-calorie alternatives like soda or sweetened juice.

While some low-calorie foods high in water and fiber require minimal energy to digest (like celery or cucumber), the concept of truly 'negative calorie' foods is considered a myth by nutrition experts. Ice is the closest you'll get to a zero-calorie food.