Does eating ice cream or drinking a cold beverage help soothe a sore throat?

When you have a sore throat, you may feel tempted to eat or drink something cold, like ice cream or a cold beverage, in the hopes that it will provide relief. While there is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that these foods can be soothing, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

In fact, consuming cold foods and drinks may actually aggravate a sore throat, especially if it is caused by a virus. The cold temperature can cause the blood vessels in the throat to constrict, which can lead to increased pain and inflammation.

Instead of relying on ice cream or cold beverages to soothe a sore throat, there are several other remedies that may be more effective. Drinking warm fluids, like tea with honey or chicken soup, can help to soothe a sore throat and provide hydration. Gargling with salt water or using throat lozenges can also be helpful in reducing pain and inflammation.