Are you wondering if having a bowl of hot chicken soup or reaching for an ice pop is better for dealing with a sore throat? Then keep on reading – this article will tell you whether it’s something hot or something cold that can help to ease that nagging sore throat of yours.
There are many things that can cause a sore throat to come into being. Some of the most common ones include:
- The common cold
- Flu
- Strep throat
- Allergies
- Acid reflux
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Cigarette smoking
- Exposure to irritants or pollutants
No matter the cause, one thing remains true: the presence of a sore throat can make it difficult for you to speak, eat and be productive in general.
The good news is that a sore throat usually goes away on its own – you can expect it to leave you be in 4 to 5 days. In some instances, a course of antibiotics may be warranted, such as in the case of a strep throat. However, even without the administration of antibiotics a strep throat may still resolve on its own in about a week.
It can be very tempting to log on the web and look for some of the most effective home remedies for a sore throat. This is when a dilemma usually comes into being: some articles say that you should eat hot foods, while others confirm that you should go for cold foods.
So which of them is telling the truth and which of them are just trying to make your problem worse?
Well, the fact is you may deal with a sore throat with the help of hot foods and also cold foods – each of them offers its own set of perks. Below you will learn when to have something hot and when to enjoy something cold.
Hot Foods
Is your sore throat due to the common cold or flu and that’s why it is accompanied by nasal and chest congestion? Then it’s a wonderful idea for you to enjoy hot foods more often than cold ones.
Everyone knows that some of the most highly recommended foods for someone who is battling an upper respiratory tract infection are chicken soup and herbal teas such as ginger and chamomile. Here’s the reason why: steam you are able to inhale while consuming them helps to address congestion of your nasal cavity and chest, too. Naturally, attaining relief can help to make a sore throat more bearable.
Additionally, hot foods recommended for alleviating the common cold or flu helps to increase the body’s hydration level, and this can help in speeding up the recovery process.
Going for hot foods is also a wonderful idea if your bout of sore throat is caused by an allergy which is usually accompanied by a runny nose.
Cold Foods
Is your sore throat brought about by things such as a strep throat, acid reflux, GERD, smoking and irritation? Then consider snacking on cold foods on a regular basis. It’s no secret that the cold is something that can help to temporarily numb the nerves, thus helping to deal with pain and even itchiness.
What’s so nice about cold foods is that consuming them can provide instant relief, which is what someone with a bad case of sore throat is constantly wanting.
Everyone knows that ice pops are some of the best cold foods for anyone who is experiencing a sore throat – this is the reason why they are in fact given by doctors to individuals who just underwent tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils) or some sort of throat surgery or treatment (such as an upper gastrointestinal or GI endoscopy for identifying problems like GERD and ulcers).
Aside from ice pops, clear liquids that are cold are also extremely beneficial for someone who is having a bout of sore throat. Some very good examples are a cold glass of apple juice, grape juice, banana smoothie and even plain drinking water.
Foods to Avoid
As you consume hot foods or cold foods, it’s important to bear in mind that you should also avoid consuming certain foods in order to keep your sore throat from worsening.
Generally speaking, just about anything and everything that can cause irritation and aggravate inflammation is something that should be eliminated from your diet for the time being. Some of those that you should stay away from include:
- Acidic foods. While it’s true that citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C that can help strengthen your immune system, having them is a no-no as they can cause more pain due to their acidity.
- Spicy foods. Definitely, the intake of something spicy can leave you complaining about your sore throat even more. While spicy foods are great for decongesting your nose and chest, you should stay away from them if your cold or flu is accompanied by a sore throat.
- Crunchy or rough-textured foods. Refrain from having anything that’s crunchy or has a rough texture as it can leave your throat irritated and achy furthermore as you swallow it.
- Piping hot beverages. Even though it’s a fact that consuming something hot can provide much-needed relief from a sore throat, it’s a terrible idea for you to consume something that’s really, really hot – it could burn your throat and make your sore throat worse.
