"Drinks When Sore Throat - Find relief from a painful sore throat with these 10 foods and drinks to soothe inflammation, promote healing, and ease discomfort. Natural remedies provide soothing care."
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| Drinks When Sore Throat |
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Causes
of a Sore Throat
- Symptoms
of a Sore Throat
- When
to See a Doctor
- 10
Soothing Foods and Drinks for a Sore Throat
- Warm Beverages
- Broths and Soups
- Honey
- Popsicles
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Tea
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Frozen Fruit
- Licorice Root Tea
- Foods
to Avoid with a Sore Throat
- Home
Remedies for a Sore Throat
- The
Takeaway
Introduction
A sore throat can be very uncomfortable and disrupt your
daily life. While sore throats often accompany colds and upper respiratory
infections, they can also arise from allergies, strained vocal cords, and
irritants like smoke. The raw, scratchy pain can make it difficult to swallow
or speak.
Rather than reaching for a painkiller, consider using food as
medicine. The right foods and beverages can provide relief by coating and
soothing the throat. With anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and soothing
properties, these natural remedies can ease the irritation and discomfort of a
sore throat.
Causes of a Sore Throat
Sore throats typically have one of these possible causes:
- Viral
infections like colds and flu
- Bacterial
infections like strep throat
- Allergies
and sinus drainage
- Dry
air or environmental irritants
- Strained
vocal cords from overuse
- Smoking
cigarettes or vaping
- Gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD)
Viruses are the most common culprit, with the common cold
being a frequent source of sore throat pain and irritation.
Symptoms of a Sore Throat
Along with throat pain, sore throats can cause:
- Difficulty
and pain with swallowing
- Scratchy,
rough throat sensation
- Redness
or white patches in the throat
- Swollen
neck glands
- Fever
- Headache
- Runny
nose or congestion
- Cough
- Loss
of voice or hoarse voice
- Bad
breath
Mild sore throats from a virus usually clear up within 3-5
days. See a doctor if severe pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing develop.
These can indicate strep throat.
When to See a Doctor
Consult your physician if any of the following accompany a
sore throat:
- Severe
throat pain that worsens or persists over 2 days
- Problems
breathing or swallowing
- High
fever over 101°F
- Pus-like
discharge or spots on the tonsils
- Rash
- Lump
in the neck
- Fatigue,
body aches, vomiting or stomach pain
These may indicate a bacterial infection like strep throat
that requires medical treatment. Seek prompt medical care for children
exhibiting these signs.
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| Drinks When Sore Throat |
10 Soothing Foods and Drinks for a Sore Throat
1. Warm Beverages Sipping warm liquids
can physically soothe throat irritation and pain. The heat loosens mucus,
prevents dehydration, and reduces inflammation. Herbal tea, broth, warm water
with honey, and warm lemon water are good choices.
2. Broths and Soups Warm, salty broths
made from chicken, vegetables or bone broth provide fluid and electrolytes
while coating the throat. Avoid acidic citrus juices if very inflamed. Pureed
soups are easier to swallow than solids.
3. Honey Honey has natural antimicrobial and soothing effects. When stirred into herbal tea, warm lemon water, or drizzled over throat lozenges, honey can ease sore throat discomfort. But avoid giving honey to infants under one year old.
4. Popsicles The coolness of popsicles or ice chips can numb and alleviate throat pain.
Choose soothing options like honey, pomegranate, or berry. Avoid citrus,
pineapple, and orange juices if your throat is very irritated.
5. Yogurt The cool, smooth texture of
yogurt glides down easily, providing temporary pain relief. Yogurt also
contains probiotics and vitamin D for immune support. Stick to unsweetened
varieties without fruit chunks.
6. Applesauce Like yogurt, applesauce
provides a cool, soft texture that won't scratch or irritate the throat. Apples
also contain vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights inflammation. Be sure to
choose unsweetened applesauce.
7. Tea Herbal teas like licorice,
marshmallow root, slippery elm, and chamomile contain demulcent properties.
This helps coat the throat and reduce irritation. Green tea also has
anti-inflammatory effects. Organic Green Tea, How to Make Green Tea
8. Chicken Noodle Soup The broth soothes
the throat while the noodles are easy to swallow. Chicken provides vitamin B6
for new cell production and protein for healing. Add vegetables like carrots
and celery for extra nutrients.
9. Frozen Fruit Sucking on frozen fruit
like melon balls, pineapple chunks or grapes numbs pain. The fruit juices
additionally coat and soothe the throat as they thaw. Choose soft fruits that
won't further scratch the throat.
10. Licorice Root Tea Licorice root has long been used to treat sore throats
thanks to its demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties. Steep in hot water
for 5-10 minutes for relief. Avoid licorice if you have high blood pressure.
Foods to Avoid with a Sore Throat
Certain foods and drinks may irritate or worsen a sore
throat:
- Spicy
foods like hot sauce or chili peppers
- Salty
or crunchy foods like chips or pretzels
- Acidic
fruits like grapefruit, lemons or oranges
- Dairy
which can thicken mucus
- Alcohol,
coffee, and caffeinated soda
- Refined
sugars that suppress immunity
Stick to smooth, soothing choices that coat the throat and
provide hydration. Soft bland foods like oatmeal and bananas are also less
irritating options.
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| Drinks When Sore Throat |
Home Remedies for a Sore Throat
Along with foods and beverages, try these home remedies for
symptom relief:
- Gargle
with salt water - Mix 1/2 tsp salt in a glass of warm water
- Use
throat lozenges and sprays - Menthol and eucalyptus relieve pain
- Use
a humidifier - Moisturizes dry irritated airways
- Rest
your voice - Avoid talking or whispering to allow vocal cords to heal
- Try
essential oils - Add a few drops of thyme, oregano or tea tree oil to
water and gargle
The Takeaway
Food can be a powerful medicine for a sore throat when chosen wisely. Warm broths, herbal teas, frozen fruits, popsicles and smooth foods like yogurt, applesauce and blenderized soups can provide soothing relief.
Along with home remedies and proper rest, a strategic diet can help ease throat
discomfort and promote healing. Use these nourishing foods and beverages as a
natural way to care for throat irritation.
Read more: Drinking Warm Water