5 Best Foods for Sore Throat

Sore throat (throat pain) is a common symptom characterized by ache, dryness or an itchy feeling in the throat region. It gives an uncomfortable feeling and may be contagious. Common symptoms of sore throat include throat discomfort, inflammation or ache, pain in the body, ear or head, fever, chills, cold, cough or sneezing, hoarseness in voice and difficulty in swallowing.

Based on the part affected, sore throat may be classified as:

• Pharyngitis (affects throat area behind the mouth)
• Tonsillitis (inflammation and redness of tonsils)
• Laryngitis (swelling and redness of the voice box)
• Epiglottis (causes blockage of air passage)

Causes of Sore Throat

• Throat infections caused by viruses including common cold and influenza
• Bacterial infections like strep throat
• Allergies triggered by immune systems as response to irritants like pollens and grass
• Dry air particularly in winter season
• Pollutants like smoke, alcohol and chemicals
• Any physical injury or trauma in throat/neck area
• Throat problems like straining of vocal chords or sticking of food during swallowing
• Throat Diseases including presence of tumour, cancer or Gastro- Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) resulting in regurgitation of intestinal acid in throat

Sore Throat Treatment

Usually sore throat and associated symptom are treatable at home. However, it is important for patients to consult a physician in following scenarios-

1. Increased risk of developing complications due to weakening of immune system

2. Self-care measures don’t work and symptoms persist (especially in pregnant ladies)

3. Medical emergencies with severity of symptoms like

• Difficulty in swallowing or breathing
• Muffling in the voice
• Severe throat pain
• Drooling sensation
• Stridor (high-pitched sounds when breathing)
• Heart palpitations
• High fever
• Blood in the saliva
• Ear Ache

There are specialised treatments for Ear, Neck and Throat (ENT) problems. Therefore, it is crucial to consult the ENT doctors or visit the ENT hospital under above circumstances.

Home Remedies

• Doing warm water gargling with salt
• Consuming warm beverages (such as herbal tea, water with honey, warm soup broth) or eating a popsicle or an ice-cream
• Using a cool mist humidifier to moisten dry air
• Sucking a hard candy or lozenge
• Resting the throat till voice gets better
• For throat infections, it is important to drink plenty of fluids for avoiding dehydration and take sufficient rest for complete recovery.

Medication and Surgery

Analgesics provide pain relief and reduce fever. Throat lozenges and analgesic throat sprays also soothe sore throats. Antibiotics must be used only for throat infections caused by bacteria.

ENT doctors may recommend further diagnostic tests after doing physical examination. These include throat swab (for strep throat), throat culture and blood tests or CT scan for evaluating other causes like abscess, tumor or injury. Subsequently, surgical drainage of abscess or tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils) may be done for frequent infections, breathing difficulties and sleeping problems.

Foods for Sore Throat

1. Fruits 

• Bananas - Easily ingestible fruit that can be consumed directly or combined in smoothies with vitamin rich fruits like strawberries and blueberries.
• Pomegranate - An astringent with high anti-oxidant and immunity boosting properties.

2. Vegetables

• Cabbage - Has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants properties. Is also rich in Sulphur, Vitamin C and Vitamin K and relieves headaches.
• Garlic - Potent immune booster with anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties
• Ginger - Immunity booster with surplus anti-oxidants
• Lemon - Rich in vitamin, has bacteria fighting properties

3. Spices

• Cinnamon -Wards off early signs of sore throats and evades cough
• Cloves-Fights respiratory infection and functions as a cough expectorant

4. Eggs – High protein soft foods containing omega-3s that prevent throat irritation

5. Soft foods with surplus of fibres, omegas and vitamins like Oat Meals and Cooked Pasta