Is Ice Cream Good For a Sore Throat?  (2024)

FAQs

Is it bad to eat ice cream with a sore throat? ›

Cold foods like ice cream “can be particularly good because they help soothe the sore throat and may even reduce the inflammation,” Dr. Favini says.

Cool foods and drinks cool down nerve endings in the throat, reducing pain signals. Cold food helps reduce inflammation and swelling in your throat. It also reduces pain and discomfort. Eating cold foods may be helpful if you have trouble swallowing or breathing through your mouth.

Can Ice Cream Cure a Sore Throat? Sadly, no, ice cream will probably not cure what ails you—especially if your sore throat is caused by a bacterial or viral illness. However, cold and creamy foods like ice cream can help ease your pain.

Usually, no specific medical treatment is needed if a virus is causing the sore throat. The throat most often gets better on its own within five to seven days. Antibiotic medicine does not cure viral pharyngitis. For acute pharyngitis caused by bacteria, your health-care provider may prescribe an antibiotic.

Warm liquids — broth, caffeine-free tea or warm water with honey — and cold treats such as ice pops can soothe a sore throat. Don't give honey to children younger than age 1. Gargle with saltwater.

There's a widely believed myth that dairy products, like ice cream and milk, make cold symptoms worse by increasing phlegm. While milk may make your mucus thicker (sorry for the imagery), it definitely won't increase mucus production.

When you have a sore throat, eat soft foods that are easy to swallow such as yogurt, oatmeal, pasta, and eggs. You should avoid hard, firm foods and acidic foods that can irritate the throat when it's inflamed.

What makes a sore throat worse? ›

Outdoor air pollution and indoor pollution such as tobacco smoke or chemicals can cause a chronic sore throat. Chewing tobacco, drinking alcohol and eating spicy foods also can irritate your throat. Muscle strain. You can strain muscles in your throat by yelling, talking loudly or talking for long periods without rest.

A glass of cold milk or a few bites of frozen yogurt may, in fact, soothe a sore throat and provide some nutrients and calories at a time when you don't feel like eating. You might also try a nutrient-packed fruit and yogurt smoothie, which provides zinc, calcium, probiotics, vitamins, antioxidants and fiber.

While chocolate can't cure all of the symptoms above, it has been shown to be an excellent way to soothe the throat and calm coughs. In addition, chocolate has been shown to prevent migraines and headaches. Chocolate Brings Relief for a Sore Throat & Dry Cough!

Sore throats, also known as pharyngitis, can be acute, lasting only a few days, or chronic, lingering on until their underlying cause is addressed. Most sore throats are the result of common viruses and resolve on their own within 3 to 10 days. Sore throats caused by a bacterial infection or allergies may last longer.

A viral sore throat is typically accompanied by other cold-like symptoms, such as cough, sneeze, runny nose and a hoarse or raspy voice. “A strep infection can make it feel very painful to swallow, and often comes with fever of 101-degrees or higher,” said Schairer.

The most common cause for painful swallowing is a virus like a cold, the flu, or mono. Sinus infections could also be the blame. The pain in your throat is likely caused by either inflamed tonsils, coughing, or irritation from sinus drip.

If you have a sore throat, you can treat the pain with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. If the soreness in your throat is still there after two days, call your doctor. He or she may need to run tests to find out the cause of your sore throat so that you can get the right treatment.

Sip Hot Tea and Honey

Drinking warm liquids helps to open up your stuffy nose and soothe a sore throat. Hot tea with a dollop of honey can help quiet a cough.

Stay away from orange juice, lemonade, and other acidic drinks because they can sting your throat. Frozen foods such as ice cream or popsicles can help to numb throat soreness. Warm liquids like soups, tea with honey, or hot chocolate also can be soothing.

Drinking very cold ice water or sucking on something cold may seem counterintuitive, but cold can numb the throat. But don't choose cold orange juice or other acid-based liquids; they will only intensify the pain.

Will hot drinks make my sore throat worse? ›

However, drinking really hot coffee (or consuming really hot anything for that matter) can irritate an already-sore throat. Really hot things are not something you want to risk consuming with a sore throat.

What Foods Can Increase Mucus? It might not surprise you to learn that most processed foods contain artificial sweeteners, sodium, and thickening agents—all of which can increase mucus production [4]. Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, or ice cream can do the same.

In some cases, a food allergy or sensitivity may cause a tickling in your throat that makes you clear it. Dairy is a frequent cause, but foods such as eggs, rice, and soy may also be culprits.

Ice cream has long been used to soothe a sore throat, and some people find it helpful in stopping hiccups. As far as we can tell, there are no scientific studies to support this remedy for coughs, but we're glad it works for you.