Is coffee good for sore throat?

Is coffee good for sore throat?

Coffee doesn’t cure sore throats, but it doesn’t make them worse either. You can certainly drink coffee even with a sore throat but know that it will not cure your sore throat or make it worse. But the caffeine in coffee when drunk 8-10 hours before bed can make you a little anxious when you have a sore throat.

The world is slowly but surely becoming addicted to coffee. Which I don’t think is a bad thing. Coffee has caffeine which helps you get out of bed and can also improve your overall mood. Many people love to have their chocker early in the morning before heading to work, but when you’ve got the itch, is it safe to drink coffee?

Let us go through the probabilities and figure it out!

Causes of throat irritations

You can have a sore throat for many reasons, here are some common causes:

• Viral infections: The most common cause of a sore throat is a viral infection, such as the common cold or the flu.
• Bacterial infections: Streptococcal pharyngitis, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, is another common cause of a sore throat.
• Allergies: Allergic reactions to things like pollen, dust, or pet dander can also cause a sore throat.
• Environmental irritants: Exposure to smoke, pollution, or other irritants can cause a sore throat.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Acids from the stomach can back up into the throat, causing irritation and pain.
• Certain medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, can cause a sore throat as a symptom.
• Dry Air: Dry air can cause a sore throat by drying out the mucous membranes in the throat.
• Excessive use of the voice: Excessive talking or singing can cause a sore throat.

Can coffee dry out the throat?

Drinking coffee can dry out the mouth and throat. Tannins found in coffee and caffeine are responsible for drying out the mouth and throat.

Coffee is a very complex drink by nature. It contains a large number of compounds such as caffeine, tannins, quinines, and much more. But the most active and prominent compound in coffee is caffeine. Caffeine does many things once it enters your body. Mainly, it gives you an instant boost of energy and elevates your mood.

It gives an electrifying jolt of energy that is necessary to get through our tough schedules. But this same caffeine can easily dry out your mouth. Foods that have caffeine and tannins such as good quality wine, tea, and coffee have the ability to dry out the mouth.

Partly it is done by the caffeine, and the other half is done by the tannins. Tannins are compounds found naturally in coffee and are responsible for coffee’s bitter, astringent, brown-roasted taste. Tannins can easily attach to any protein and mineral. When you drink coffee, the tannins stick to the saliva in your mouth and throat and stop further production. Thus, making your throat dry.

And the best way to combat this is to have a glass of water handy at coffee time.

Related: Matcha vs Coffee.

Hot or cold coffee? What is better for sore throat?

Coffee is actually anti-inflammatory. When you have a sore throat, the tissues in your throat swell up and make it very difficult to swallow anything. And when you drink cold coffee, it can alleviate those problems a bit. For example, when you get hurt, your mom usually puts ice packs on the spot to help with the swelling, right? The same mechanism works for a sore throat.

Hot coffee (Just warm)

So what about hot coffee? Isn’t that good for a sore throat?

You see, hydration is very important when you’re sick. Because your body is already fighting a virus or bacteria, you can easily become dehydrated and weak. Therefore, drinks like water, coffee, and even tea are very good for sore throat.

They provide essential nutrients, antioxidants and prevent the throat and body from drying out. According to Professor Eccles of Medical News Today, hot sweet drinks heighten the release of the brain’s natural pain-relieving opioids, therefore an immediate calming effect is felt. Also, hot coffee can help decongest and loosen mucus.

However, drinking hot coffee when you have a sore throat has some drawbacks:

• First, hot drinks can make some sore throats worse. This is because they can irritate already inflamed tissues.
• Second, hot coffee can burn your mouth and throat if you’re not careful. Be sure to blow on the coffee to cool it down before taking a sip.

So, in short, have warm coffee when you have a sore throat. Not hot coffee.

Cold coffee

Cold coffee can also help soothe a sore throat because it’s cold and can help numb the pain.

Also, cold drinks can help reduce inflammation and swelling in the throat.

Cold coffee can also help decongest and loosen mucus.

Just like hot coffee, there are also some downsides to drinking cold coffee when you have a sore throat.

• First, cold drinks can make some sore throats worse by irritating already inflamed tissues.
• Second, if you drink too much cold coffee too quickly, it can give you a brain freeze.

To avoid this, drink your cold coffee slowly or put it in a straw.

Advantages and disadvantages of drinking coffee with a sore throat

Advantages of drinking coffee with a sore throat

• The caffeine in coffee can help open up your airways and reduce inflammation.
• Coffee is a diuretic, which means it will help flush out bacteria that may be causing your sore throat.
• The warmth of the coffee can help soothe the throat.

Disadvantages of drinking coffee with a sore throat

• The acidity of the coffee can irritate your already inflamed throat.
• If you’re already dehydrated from a sore throat, coffee will only make things worse.
• The caffeine in coffee can make it difficult to get the restful sleep you need to recover from your illness.

What cures a sore throat fast?

The top 5 ways to get rid of a sore throat fast are gargling with hot salt water, drinking chicken soup, drinking herbal tea, tea or water with honey and lemon, and ginger ale.

Sore throat is a common problem that occurs mainly in winter times. Although it is very common, it can be irritating and make you feel terrible. There are many ways to get rid of a sore throat, but here are my top 5 to help you get rid of a sore throat almost instantly.

1. Gargle with hot water and salt

Using salt water as a gargle relieves pain and inflammation in the throat. By introducing them to the surface of the throat, the irritants reach the surface of the body, where they can be more easily expelled. Water also helps keep your throat clean because it contains antibacterial properties. You can gargle with salt and water for about two to three minutes.

2. Chicken Soup

You’ll find that chicken soup is packed with protein, antioxidants, and amino acids that can boost your immune system. In addition to being high in gelatin, it soothes the back of the throat and reduces discomfort when swallowing.

Sore throats can be treated with chicken broth made with garlic. The drink hydrates and nourishes the body, while reducing congestion in the nasal passages.

3. Herbal teas

A sore throat can be relieved with various types of herbal tea. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of green tea and clover tea help fight infections. Berry and chamomile teas can soothe throat irritation by acting as natural lubricants. Peppermint tea can also be used to treat a sore throat as it numbs the throat and relieves pain.

4. Lemon and honey water

Natural antibacterial and analgesic properties are found in a mixture of lemon juice and honey. When combined with lemon juice, honey soothes throat inflammation and dissolves mucus, while lemon juice soothes pain.

In addition to being rich in vitamin C, lemons also boost the immune system, which helps fight infections. Take a sip of hot tea or water after adding two tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice.

5. Ginger drink

A natural antihistamine, ginger reduces swelling and congestion in the throat. In addition to clearing excess mucus from the throat, ginger has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties. Make your own fresh ginger tea or ginger beer with real ginger.

6. Coffee with honey

Honey is a natural antibacterial and can help fight infection. Coffee, for its part, is a natural diuretic and can help eliminate toxins.

Therefore, if you suffer from a sore throat caused by an infection, adding honey to your coffee could help fight the infection and relieve symptoms.

If your sore throat is due to dehydration, drinking coffee with honey can help rehydrate and ease discomfort.

The bottom line: Is coffee good for sore throat?

Sore throat is a very common problem, especially in winter. But since many people rely on coffee as their daily caffeine fix, you might worry about whether you can still drink it with a cold.

It is absolutely safe to drink coffee. It doesn’t speed up recovery but it doesn’t make it worse either. Whether you prefer to drink hot or cold coffee, both can provide temporary relief from a sore throat. Although hot coffee is preferred.

Additionally, coffee can dry out your throat, so drinking a large glass of water is recommended after enjoying your morning cuppa. Other things that can soothe a sore throat quickly include ginger ale, chicken soup, etc.