Guinea Pig: Nice Ice, Baby

READERS WHO WERE HERE LAST week may remember we tested a cold-fighting formula called “Nip-It.” We can now declare — cough — that it — cough— doesn’t work. But, luckily, a sore throat was required for proper testing of Sucrets Ice ($3.50 for six packets, Drugstore.com), so we gave the frozen medicine concept a whirl.

And that’s basically what Sucrets Ice is: menthol, pectin and some fruity flavoring (either pomegranate or grape). Place the packets in the freezer, wait and hour, and, voila, something to suck on. Plus, there’s a little echinacea and zinc thrown in for people who are convinced they cure everything.

The concept was probably first imagined for kids, but everyone can appreciate cold goodness numbing one’s pain. In a highly scientific experiment, we compared the results to a Fudgsicle. While we found the immediate impact to be similar, the Sucrets Ice’s effects lingered longer. Unfortunately, the effects of the sore throat lingered after that. We will continue to suck and update you.

Photo by Marge Ely/Express