What should you eat and drink to recover quickly from a sore throat?

A sore throat caused by a common cold usually lasts only a few days or a week. It can be managed 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 when you have a sore throat?

Soft, easy-to-swallow foods are generally safe when you have a sore throat. The soft texture helps minimize irritation to your throat. Warm food and drinks also help soothe your throat.

Here are some foods you should eat when you have a sore throat:

Chicken soup, chicken porridge, meat porridge, warm oatmeal porridge; gelatin dessert, 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 boiled eggs.

These dishes will help you replenish nutrients without irritating your already sore throat. When cooking porridge or soup, add a few slices of ginger or turmeric, as these spices have anti-inflammatory properties and are effective in fighting bacteria and viruses.

2. Foods and drinksThings to avoid when you have a sore throat.

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

Crackers, spicy seasoned crackers and sauces, soft drinks, coffee, alcoholic beverages, 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 respiratory tract, causing you to clear your throat more frequently, which can worsen your sore throat.

3. Some simple ways to treat a 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 coarse salt with 500ml of warm water to create a diluted salt solution. Take a few small sips, tilt your head back, and gargle thoroughly throughout your mouth and throat for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then spit out the salt water and repeat several times if desired. Do this every 3 hours throughout the day to help kill bacteria, thin mucus, and reduce throat swelling.

- Using a mixture of lemon and honey is also a fairly common and effective folk remedy for sore throats. Honey has antibacterial properties that help reduce inflammation, swelling, and naturally relieve coughs. The sweetness of honey stimulates salivary glands to release mucus, and its antibacterial properties help limit further mucus formation and completely reduce coughing. 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 daily. This not only helps relieve sore throats but also prevents infection, reduces phlegm, and protects the throat. You can drink it 1-2 times a day, plus once before bed to loosen mucus in the throat, soothe and clear the airways, and promote restful sleep.

- Herbal teas are effective for treating sore throats. Many herbs are effective in relieving sore throats and treating the symptoms of pharyngitis, such as chamomile and mint. Chamomile tea with added honey is a natural soothing agent that helps reduce sore throat pain due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, and its ability to soften the mucous membrane in the throat. Mint has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, promoting rapid wound healing. To relieve a sore throat, you can steep mint leaves in boiling water to make tea and drink it daily, or use steam inhalation with water containing mint essential oil.

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

However, pregnant women should consult their doctor before using any herbal remedies. Some herbal remedies are not safe to use during pregnancy.

4. When should I see a doctor?

A common sore throat will usually take a few days or a week to clear up. You need to rest more, stay hydrated, and follow the instructions above. You should see a doctor, especially if the sore throat shows signs of a bacterial infection, or if the pain doesn't go away but gets worse, or if you have other symptoms such as:

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

Your doctor may perform tests to rule out anything that needs further attention. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections, such as the common cold or flu, or bacterial infections like strep throat. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics, and you need to take them as prescribed. Note 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 insufficient air humidity. People who snore may also experience sore throats.