Wait, Is It Safe To Eat Snow? Here's What An Infectious Disease Expert Says
Reese Witherspoon at the Los Angeles premiere of 'The Last Thing He Told Me' on April 13, 2023
Reese Witherspoon went viral last week for using snow to make what she dubbed a "chococinno" [sic]: A combination of the fluffy precipitation, cold brew coffee, and chocolate and salted caramel syrups. Fans expressed concern over her safety for using snow in the concoction, but is it really that dangerous?
In a follow-up video, the Morning Show star seemed irked by the comments she received.
"There's so many people on here saying that snow is dirty. So we went and took snow from the backyard, and we microwaved it—and it's clear. Is this bad? Am I not supposed to eat snow?"
Related: Does Coffee Count Towards Your Hydration Goals? Experts Weigh In
Dr. Dahlia Philips, medical director and infection disease physician at MetroPlusHealth in New York City, weighed in on whether or not an actual snow cone (or "chococinno" or whatever else you can concoct with the stuff) is actually hazardous to your health.
Is It Safe To Eat Snow?
In a word: Probably. That said, it depends on the snow, where it fell and how much of it you're eating.
"Snow is made from frozen ice crystals, which are safe to eat in moderation," Dr. Philips says. There are, however, some caveats that may make snow less appetizing.
"Firstly, snow collects pollutants from the air acting as an air filter, leaving the air cleaner. Early snow is at high risk for contamination with these pollutants," she says. "Also, the first snow to hit the ground is susceptible to contamination from the ground itself and whatever bacteria, toxins or other unsavory molecules may be on it. Therefore, avoid the first layer of snow."
Dr. Philips says snow falling past the first layer (depending on where you live, that could be considered a "dusting" or "coating") is probably safe for consumption in small amounts—but there are caveats there too. City snow is more likely to contain pollutants from the air than snow falling in the suburbs or rural areas, so if you're in an area that normally has smog or high rates of air pollution, you may not want to snack on the snow there.
Aaron Burden via UnSplash
Related: Yes, It Is Possible To Drink Too Much Water! How To Know if You're Consuming Too Much H2O
Also, it's so obvious that we hope we don't need to mention it, but just in case: Please, please don't eat yellow snow, or any other color snow that isn't white.
The causes of yellow snow go without saying, but other colors can be even more dangerous if less gross to imagine.
"If the snow is discolored in any way it should be avoided. Snow in areas that may have been treated with salt, deicer or may have been contaminated from vehicle debris should also be avoided," Dr. Philips warns.
That's because these products have chemicals like calcium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride or a combination thereof, in them that can actually make you ill, more so than snow itself would.
Even rock salt, composed of sodium chloride—the same chemical as table salt—can make you sick, Dr. Philips says, "because it's not made for human consumption and may easily be cross-contaminated." You can easily get a sore throat, stomachache, vomiting and nausea from snow that's been tainted with melting agents.
Vehicle debris in snow may not always be visible to the naked eye, but can include gasoline, antifreeze, windshield fluid and other chemicals that can make you really sick.
According to Dr. Philips, consuming snow with vehicular debris can likely cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and confusion. If you feel any of these after eating snow, seek medical attention immediately.
And when in doubt, instead of microwaving snow from your yard, just use water or shaved ice for your recipes, because nothing tastes better than a sweet treat with a side of peace of mind.
Next, The 10 Best Ways to Prevent the Flu
