What should I eat and drink to get well soon if I have a sore throat?

A sore throat caused by a common cold usually lasts only a few days or a week. You can get relief from a sore throat with home care. Learn about the best things to eat and drink when you have a sore throat and what to avoid.

1. What foods and drinks should be prioritized for sore throat?

Soft, easy-to-swallow foods are usually safe to eat when you have a sore throat. The soft texture will help limit the amount of irritation to your throat. Warm foods and drinks can also help soothe your throat.

Some foods you should eat when you have a sore throat:

Chicken soup, chicken soup, meat porridge, warm oatmeal; gelatin desserts, plain yogurt or yogurt with pureed fruit, cooked vegetables, fruit or vegetable smoothies, mashed potatoes, non-acidic fruit juices, such as grape or apple juice, scrambled or hard-boiled eggs

These dishes will help you get nutrients without irritating an already sore throat. When cooking porridge and soup, you should add a few slices of ginger and turmeric because these spices have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to effectively fight bacteria and viruses.

2. Foods and drinksshould avoid when sore throat

You should avoid foods that may further irritate your throat or make it difficult to swallow. These foods include:

Crackers, crispbreads, condiments and sauces, soft drinks, coffee, alcohol, dry snacks, such as potato chips, pretzels or popcorn, acidic fruits, such as oranges, lemons, passion fruit, tomatoes and grapefruit.

In some people, milk thickens mucus or increases mucus production in the airways, causing you to clear your throat more frequently, making your sore throat worse.

3. Some simple ways to cure sore throatat home

- The first and most effective way to relieve a sore throat is to gargle with warm salt water. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 500ml of warm water to get a diluted salt water solution. Take a few small sips, tilt your head back and gargle your entire mouth and throat thoroughly for about 30 seconds - 1 minute. Then spit out the salt water and repeat several times if desired. This should be done every 3 hours during the day to help kill bacteria, thin mucus and reduce throat swelling.

- Using a mixture of lemon and honey is also a popular and effective folk remedy for sore throats. Honey has antibacterial properties that help reduce inflammation, swelling and reduce coughs naturally. The sweetness of honey stimulates the salivary glands to stimulate the release of mucus, antibacterial properties help limit the formation of more mucus and reduce coughs completely. Lemon juice helps thin phlegm and contains vitamin C to boost immunity to fight infection.

Mix 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice with 2 teaspoons of pure honey. Add the mixture to a cup of tea or warm water, stir well and drink twice a day. This will not only help relieve a sore throat but also prevent infection, reduce phlegm and protect the throat. You can drink it 1-2 times a day, and once more before going to bed to loosen mucus in the throat, soothe and clear the airways and have a deep sleep.

- Herbal tea is effective in treating sore throat. There are many herbs that are effective in reducing sore throat and treating symptoms of pharyngitis such as chamomile and mint. Chamomile tea with honey is a natural soothing agent, helping to reduce sore throat due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, softening the mucous membrane in the throat. Mint has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties, and heals wounds quickly. To reduce sore throat, you can steep mint leaves in boiling water to make tea to drink every day or steam with water containing peppermint essential oil.

- Some herbal lozenges are also helpful in reducing throat irritation and soothing sore throat symptoms. These lozenges are easily available at some grocery stores and pharmacies and not only provide some relief from a sore throat, but many also taste pleasant.

However, for pregnant women, before using herbal remedies, consult your doctor. Some herbal remedies are not safe to use during pregnancy.

4. When should I see a doctor?

A sore throat usually takes a few days or a week to go away, so you should rest, stay hydrated, and follow the above instructions. You should see a doctor, especially if your sore throat shows signs of a bacterial infection or if the pain does not improve but gets worse and you have other symptoms such as:

Difficulty swallowing or breathing, high fever, rash, unexplained pain around the throat, neck, and chest

Your doctor may run tests to rule out anything that needs further attention. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections, such as a cold or flu, or bacterial infections, such as strep throat. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics, which you should take as directed. Keep in mind that antibiotics will not treat a sore throat caused by a viral infection.

Sore throats can also be caused by environmental factors such as seasonal allergies, inhaling animal dander, cigarette smoke, or even a lack of humidity in the air. People who snore can also suffer from sore throats./.