Is Ice Cream Good for a Sore Throat and How Does It Work?

Ice Cream for Sore Throat

Occasionally, individuals experience a sore throat—a stinging painful sensation at the base of the mouth. A sore throat is often experienced after eating sweets, drinking cold liquids, overusing the vocal cords, or failure to maintain proper hygiene. The mouth is abundant of normal bacterial flora, including germs known as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species.

Among the two, streptococcus is commonly found in the throat. Without proper hygiene, the presence of sugars and other substances allow the growth of the bacteria in exceeding numbers. This irritates the mucosa, and is manifested as the symptoms of sore throat. A lot of people mistake this for tonsillitis. Sore throat is actually just a symptom of tonsillitis. The tonsils are part of the body’s immune system. With an impending attack from infection, the tonsils inflame and produce the soreness felt at the throat. People with cough and colds frequently experience this. When the tonsils inflame to a certain extent, surgeons advise the tonsils’ removal. Parents often question as to which condition can ice cream be used as a remedy. They are about to find out which.

Is Ice Cream Good for a Sore Throat

• Technically, consumption of ice cream is good for a sore throat. That being said, it is not entirely beneficial. Ice cream works as a temporary remedy for sore throat. Ice can provide immediate relief for any form of inflammation. This works like an anesthetic; the coldness numbs the area for a while.
• People should keep in mind that ice cream still has a lot of packed sugars. If not followed by water and proper gargle, the sugar left in the crevices can aggravate the condition. Ice cream is not advisable if sweets and cold foods were the culprit in the first place.
• In cases of tonsillitis, ice cream is advised after surgery, similar to when the dentist extracts a tooth. After surgery, patients are advised to first eat clear liquids, like gelatins and ice cubes. Afterwards, this is followed by a cold liquid diet. Plain flavored ice creams and yoghurts are generally recommended.

Sore Throat Remedies

Aside from ice cream, there are numerous alternatives available to cure sore throat. These include:

• Ice cubes. These work in the same principle, as exceedingly cold substances can numb the area. Unlike ice creams, ice cubes do not contain any sugar or complex carbohydrate.
• Honey. Pure and raw honey does not contain sugar that bacteria have affinity to. In fact, raw honey is proven to have antibiotic and bactericidal effects.
• Ginger. A hot brew of ginger will surely soothe the pain associated with a sore throat.