When you have a sore throat, the last thing you probably want to eat is ice cream. Unless it’s the kind that soothes your burning throat, rather than one that intensifies the burn and sends you straight to hell in a cone. Nevertheless, some research suggests that eating a little bit of this frozen treat can actually be good for you when you have a sore throat. Lo and behold, there are even some benefits of eating ice cream when you have a sore throat. Let’s take a look at why that is and how ice cream can help with your painful symptoms.
Does Ice Cream Help Sore Throat?
Ice cream can help a sore throat because it is cold. The cold helps to numb the pain and makes it feel better. It can also help to reduce the swelling in your throat. It may also be soothing to eat while you are suffering from a sore throat.
Why Does Ice Cream Help Sore Throat?
Sore throat due to strep throat
Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection, more specifically, Streptococcus pyogenes. There is a group of viruses that attack your lymph nodes, and they are called the Herpes viruses. The Herpes viruses are the culprits behind the painful sore throat. Herpes is a virus that lives in your nerve cells and remains dormant most of the time. It can be activated when there is a weak immune system due to any reason, such as stress, fatigue, etc. Strep throat and Herpes are two entirely different infections, but they produce similar symptoms like sore throat, fever, headache, and gums that are swollen and red. If you have a sore throat, don’t look for ice cream just yet! It is important to know if your sore throat is due to Strep or Herpes to know if ice cream will help.
Ice cream is rich in vitamin B
Vitamin B is one of the essential nutrients for a healthy immune system. An individual suffering from Herpes or Strep throat requires more vitamin B. So, eating foods rich in Vitamin B can help you get better faster. Vitamin B is also known to reduce the severity of the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn. That makes it a good choice for an upset stomach. Ice cream is rich in vitamin B and has anti-inflammatory properties. So, eating ice cream can help reduce swelling and ease the pain associated with a sore throat.
Ice cream soothes your sore throat
When you suffer from a sore throat, it is important to keep it hydrated. But, drinking water can be very painful when you have a sore throat. Ice cream, on the other hand, is soothing and has anti-inflammatory properties. So, it can help soothe your sore throat and reduce the pain. Moreover, ice cream has a high-fat content. Fat is good for soothing the throat. So, when you eat ice cream, it coats your throat and helps ease the pain. It also prevents your throat from getting dry and prevents a sore throat from getting worse.
The cold from ice cream reduces inflammation and swelling
Ice cream is cooling in nature. When you eat ice cream, it gives a cold sensation to your throat and calms it down. This cold sensation reduces the swelling of your gums and also helps reduce the pain. The cold temperature from ice cream can also help reduce the inflammation of your gums and throat. The inflammation is caused by the toxins released by the bacteria in your body. The swelling of your throat is due to the accumulation of fluids in the tissue around your throat. Reduced inflammation and swelling can help ease your pain and make you feel better faster.
Other benefits of eating ice cream during a sore throat
Apart from easing pain and reducing swelling, ice cream is also a good source of calcium and iron. Calcium is known to reduce the risk of bone diseases like osteoporosis. Iron is important for the proper functioning of the blood cells. It is also important during pregnancy as it helps prevent the risk of iron deficiency in pregnant women. Ice cream is also good for pregnant women and lactating mothers as it contains high amounts of vitamin B, calcium, and iron. Vitamin B and calcium are important for the development of the nervous system in growing children and pregnant women. When you have a sore throat, you should eat foods that are high in vitamin B, calcium, iron, and zinc.
How To Make Ice Cream Helps Sore Throat?
Freeze some dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and has a soothing effect on the throat. Perfect for when your throat is extra sore! Simply break up a few pieces of dark chocolate and pop them in the freezer. Then, take them out as needed to help soothe your sore throat.
Scoop up the probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are found in certain foods. Yogurts, kefir, and other fermented foods have high amounts of probiotics. The probiotics in homemade ice cream are essential for a healthy immune system. Then, they’ll also help soothe your throat and prevent coughs and colds from coming on. With homemade ice cream, you can scoop up a hefty amount of probiotics with every bite!
Make a vitamin C-rich dessert.
Homemade ice cream is naturally high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is a natural immune booster, so it will help you fight off a cold or cough. Plus, it’s an excellent way to help soothe a sore throat. To make a vitamin C-rich dessert, simply add some orange juice to your homemade vanilla ice cream. Or, add strawberries and blueberries to homemade chocolate ice cream.
Add soothing herbs to your dessert
Herbs are always great additions to desserts and ice cream is no exception! Herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and sage are all excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. Plus, they also have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe a sore throat. Simply sprinkle dried herbs onto your homemade ice cream. Alternatively, you can make homemade vanilla ice cream with fresh herbs. Vanilla is a great addition to many desserts, but it’s also a natural anti-inflammatory.
Pros Of Eating Ice Cream During Sore Throat
- The cold of the ice cream can help numb the pain of your throat, making it easier to swallow and breathe.
- Eating ice cream when you have a sore throat can help you relax, which can reduce stress and allow your body to rest and heal.
- The fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in ice cream can help soothe your throat and give you the energy you need to get through the day.
- You might be less likely to cough or sneeze when eating ice cream.
Cons Of Eating Ice Cream When You Have A Sore Throat
- Eating ice cream when you have a sore throat might make you feel nauseous.
- Eating ice cream when you have a sore throat will make your hands cold, which can make your throat even sorer.
- Eating ice cream when you have a sore throat won’t actually heal your symptoms, and it might actually prolong them.
- Eating ice cream when you have a sore throat can be really fattening. A small cup of ice cream can have upwards of 500 calories.
- Eating ice cream when you have a sore throat can give you a sugar rush, followed by a sugar crash, which can make you feel even more tired.
- If you eat ice cream when you have a sore throat, you might be less likely to get enough fluids and vitamins, which can make your symptoms worse.
Final Words
We can’t emphasize enough that ice cream is really a short-term solution for sore throats. You should definitely try it, but don’t eat it every day or you could end up making your sore throat worse. You should also be careful not to eat too much because you can definitely end up with an ice cream headache. With that being said, there are a few tips and tricks you should keep in mind before diving into that ice cream. For starters, you should eat the ice cream slowly, so it has enough time to warm up and melt in your mouth. You should also try to eat the ice cream when it’s fresh out of the fridge, so it’s extra cold. Finally, you should also try to eat the ice cream while sitting in a warm room.
