Is Ice Cream Good for a Sore Throat?

Sore throat is a medical problem accompanied by various other symptoms. It is an unpleasant condition of the throat due to active bacterial infection. During sore throat, it may become difficult to swallow food due to painful lymph nodes around the neck. Having some favorite dessert items may soothe your throat. This article explains whether ice cream is good for sore throat.

Usually, people say that using dairy products with a bad throat is not good. Dairy products like milk or ice creams worsen the condition by increasing phlegm. Milky products thicken the concentration of mucus. It does not increase the production of phlegm but changes the nature of phlegm. But, if you think using ice cream can give you positive energy, go for it. Here is a detailed explanation of this question: Is ice cream good for sore throat?

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is a scratchy feeling of the throat accompanied by pain and a tickling sensation. It may become difficult for you to even swallow food because of irritation in the throat. A sore throat may be because of a bacterial or viral infection. A sore throat is usually associated with a pharyngitis-like condition. Pharyngitis or sore throat may also be because of any allergic reaction or hay fever.

What are the common causes of a sore throat?

Let’s search for the real cause of a sore throat for a better treatment plan. According to the research and studies regarding strep throat, only 1 case out of 10 is mainly because of streptococcal infection. If you are feeling any environmental changes, strep throat may appear as a side effect of a common cold.

If your sore throat lasts for more than a few days, it is because of any infectious agent residing in your throat. You can avoid the infection just by maintaining hygiene protocols. Don’t worry about it. Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face more often.

Is ice cream good for sore throat?

It is a common question among the public who love to eat ice cream. It is thought that eating ice cream with a sore throat may worsen the problem. But, there are medical studies that suggest having ice cream to soothe the throat. A variety of people have mixed thoughts about whether it is good for a sore throat. The answer is yes. Here are some of the reasons to justify the answer.

Offer calories

During a sore throat, people usually lack the energy to perform a variety of functions. Moreover, it becomes quite difficult to swallow any solid food because of the pain. But, the soft and cool texture of ice cream makes it easier to swallow without causing any difficulty. In addition, ice cream also provides calories to make you feel quite active throughout the day.

Relieves pain

Ice cream is a cold dessert. The cold nature works as an anesthetic agent to relieve inflammation of the throat. In this way, it provides temporary relief from the pain. It is better to go for a plain flavor like vanilla or chocolate to offer a soothing effect. Avoid ice creams with candy pieces or fruit juice to prevent irritation to the throat.

Treat tonsillitis

Using ice cream with a sore throat depends on the underlying type of sore throat. Tonsillitis surgery or tonsillectomy may require ice cream consumption to relieve inflammation. It is suggested to use clear beverages before using ice cream.

What are the precautionary tips to use ice cream with a sore throat?

Using ice cream with a sore throat can provide you temporary relief. But, using an excessive amount of ice cream can worsen the sore throat. Here are some tips to use ice cream without causing any side effects.

• Ice cream is fully packed with a huge amount of sugar. So, be aware of the consumption of ice cream.
• Gargle with warm water after having an ice cream. It will help you to remove hidden sugar from the crevices of your throat. Moreover, it will also boost the healing phase of sore throat.
• If your sore throat is mainly because you ate something cold, then sorry, ice cream may not help you to relieve pain or inflammation. Moreover, it can worsen the condition of your throat.
• Prefer to use dairy-free ice cream to avoid thick phlegm. If you are lactose intolerant or do not like ice cream, go for ice chips or ice water to heal the throat inflammation.

You might also want to read: Vitamin B Complex

What are the other natural ways to get relief from a sore throat?

Ice cream is good for sore throat. But, there are a lot of natural remedies to deal with a sore throat. Go for three remedies if you are affected by a sore throat infection.

Sage

Sage is a natural anti-inflammatory herb to relieve swelling and inflammation. You can use this herb in your tea to soothe your throat in a tasty way. Put sage in hot water and then make tea with this water. You can inhale the steam from tea to relieve any nasal congestion.

Oatmeal

Oats are rich in dietary fibers and are a good choice to treat a sore throat. They are low in calories and fats. Thus, oatmeal is a healthy snack to deal with sore throat. Cook some oatmeal with a stick of cinnamon and honey. Enjoy the snack and get rid of a sore throat

Broth

Broths are rich in minerals and nutrients to soothe a sore throat. You can try chicken or vegetable broth according to your choice.

Garlic

Garlic is easily available in the kitchen. It possesses antiseptic and antibacterial properties to soothe a sore throat. In addition, it can help to treat respiratory infections. If you like the taste, you can suck in a crushed clove. Otherwise, make a broth using crushed garlic cloves with boiled water.

Conclusion

Is ice cream good for a sore throat? The answer is yes. Ice cream, being cold, provides relief from the pain and inflammation around the throat. Moreover, it is also rich in calories. So, it provides energy to stay active even when having an infection. Some people say that using ice cream with a sore throat can thicken the phlegm and worsen the situation. It depends on the underlying type of sore throat you are dealing with.

Studies suggest that using ice cream with tonsillectomy can heal surgical outcomes quickly. Ice cream relieves the swelling of the throat. You can use ice cream with a sore throat. But, follow the precautionary protocols (mentioned above) to avoid any side effects.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)