Are you experiencing irritation in your throat during the monsoons?

Sore throat is a condition where you experience pain and irritation in the throat that worsens while you swallow. It often occurs as a result of viral or bacterial infections. 

Other causes of sore throat include dry air, acid reflux (it occurs when the contents of your stomach travel upwards through your food pipe), smoke, chemicals, and other irritants.

A sore throat can affect your quality of life making speaking, eating, and even breathing difficult. Certain foods and drinks can irritate your throat and aggravate the symptoms of sore throat.

Let’s take a look at the food and drinks that have to be avoided when you have a sore throat.

8 Foods And Drinks to Avoid When You Have a Sore Throat

Avoiding the following food and drinks will help in a speedy recovery from sore throat:

1. Citrus and Acidic Foods: Stay away from citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, and lemon. The acid present in these fruits can irritate your throat and may cause allergy and itching.

2. Spicy Foods: Consuming excess spicy food can lead to acid reflux. It is a condition where your stomach contents travel back up through your food pipe. This can irritate your throat and worsen the symptoms of a sore throat.

3. Fatty and Oily Foods: Avoid fatty food such as red meat, deep-fried foods, and full-fat dairy products. Fatty foods can suppress your immune system and further slow down the body’s ability to fight against infection. 

Oily food can lead to itching and throat irritation.

4. Dry and Coarse Foods: Stay away from foods that are rough-textured such as raw vegetables, dry toast, crackers, and granola while you are suffering from a sore throat. 

They are difficult to swallow and can irritate your throat. Stick to soft and moist foods that are easy to swallow when you are suffering from a sore throat.

5. Cheese: Say NO to CHEESE when you have a sore throat, as it may increase the mucus (a thick stringy substance that is produced by mucous membranes that run from your nose to your lungs) production and result in inflammation in your throat. 

6. Packaged Juices: Avoid packed juices and sodas. These drinks are loaded with artificial colours and sugar. It can irritate your throat and also cause acid reflux from the stomach.

7. Alcohol: Consuming excess alcohol can dehydrate you and dry your throat. This can cause irritation and discomfort in your throat.

8. Coffee: It can act as a potential irritant, worsening the symptoms of your sore throat. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid coffee if you are suffering from a sore throat.

Avoiding these foods and drinks along with a few simple home remedies can help relieve the symptoms of your sore throat.

Home Remedies For Sore Throat

  • Stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of water to keep your throat moist and prevent dryness.

  • Gargle with warm salt water. Use warm salt water to gargle at least 2 to 3 times a day. It helps soothe your throat and prevent irritation.

  • Suck on lozenges. Sucking on lozenges can help keep your throat moist. It can provide temporary relief from the burning sensation and pain.

  • Use a humidifier. Using a humidifier can help manage sore throat as it helps keep the air around you moist. It thus helps soothe the irritated tissues of your nose and throat.

A sore throat usually subsides within a few days with home remedies and by avoiding the irritants. However, if the symptoms do not subside with these measures, consult your doctor.


References:

1. Naturallysassy.co.uk. 2021. 7 foods to avoid if you have a sore throat | Naturally Sassy. [online] Available at: <https://naturallysassy.co.uk/blog/7-foods-to-avoid-if-you-have-a-sore-throat/> [Accessed 14 July 2021].

2. Pennmedicine.org. 2021. 6 At-Home Remedies to Ease Your Sore Throat - Penn Medicine. [online] Available at: <https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat> [Accessed 14 July 2021].


Disclaimer: This article is written by Practo for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.