Coke isn't a recommended remedy for a sore throat and might even make it worse due to its sugar, caffeine, and carbonation, which can irritate the throat or feed bacteria, though the carbonation might help dislodge food if that's the issue, but better options are warm teas with honey, salt water gargles, and soft foods. Stick to soothing drinks like water, broth, or herbal teas (chamomile/peppermint) and avoid acidic, spicy, crunchy, or caffeinated items.
While cold drinks can offer relief, it's important to be mindful of certain factors. Some beverages, such as carbonated drinks, caffeinated beverages, or those high in sugar, may actually exacerbate throat irritation.
Chamomile tea and peppermint tea are ideal warm drinks when you are suffering from a sore throat. They have anti-inflammatory compounds, and chamomile will help you fall into a peaceful sleep, making it the perfect night time drink when you're sick.
Coke, or any carbonated beverage, may help settle an upset stomach and reduce feelings of nausea for some people (1). However, it's important to note that sugary and caffeinated drinks like soda may not be the best choice for everyone, especially if vomiting is due to a stomach virus or other illness (1).
Use the following to ease the symptoms of a sore throat:
To quickly relieve a sore throat, use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain and inflammation, along with soothing remedies like honey (not for infants), throat sprays (with lidocaine), and warm salt water gargles, while getting rest and staying hydrated to speed healing.
Stage 1 of a sore throat, often the start of a cold or flu, involves early symptoms like a tickle, scratchiness, or mild pain in the throat, possibly with sneezing, usually appearing 1-3 days after infection, and can be managed with rest, fluids, saltwater gargles, and OTC pain relievers, but see a doctor if it's severe, lasts over a week, or comes with a high fever or trouble breathing.
Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages. They increase fluid loss leading to dehydration and interfere with immune function,” Dr.
This heightened activity often leads to an increase in our metabolic rate , energy demands and nutritional requirements. Sugary treats and carbs are quick sources of energy, satisfying this increased demand.
Hydrate with Clear Liquids
Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages such as coffee, soda or energy drinks. If you're struggling to keep liquid down without vomiting, try hydrating with ice chips or popsicles.
So what are the foods to avoid with a sore throat? Generally speaking, avoid fatty, spicy, or acidic foods as they can all increase irritation.
How to sleep with sore throats
Pharyngitis may start with a raspy feeling in your throat, as if your throat is dry. If your sore throat gets worse, you may feel a sharp pain in your throat when you swallow or talk. You may feel the pain in your ears or down the side of your neck.
Sodas The acidity and fizz of carbonated drinks may irritate the throat.
There's no single "#1 unhealthiest soda," as different sodas rank poorly for different reasons (sugar, dyes, acids), but Mountain Dew often appears at the top due to its high sugar, high acidity (citric acid), and artificial dyes (Yellow 5), creating a "perfect storm" for tooth decay and enamel erosion, while dark sodas like Cola are high in potentially concerning caramel coloring and caffeine. Ultimately, any soda high in sugar, acidic, and artificially colored is extremely unhealthy, making dark and bright yellow/orange sodas generally the worst offenders, according to health experts.
A sore throat usually lasts 5 to 10 days, resolving on its own as it's often viral (colds, flu). If it's strep throat (bacterial), symptoms improve within 2-3 days of starting antibiotics, but you must finish the full course. Seek medical help if it's severe, lasts over a week, or includes difficulty breathing/swallowing, a high fever, or a rash.
🥃 Coca-Cola may be useful for various gastrointestinal disorders, including nausea and stomach discomfort. Additionally, its carbonated texture can ease a sore throat, creating a feeling of temporary relief.
Foods to Avoid When Sick
If you can focus on whatever you are doing for 20 minutes, you're most likely experiencing a craving. But if you can't focus and your brain wanders back to food, it's probably hunger. Get something to eat!
If you have a severe infection or are at high risk of complications from a flu infection, your healthcare professional may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat the flu. These medicines can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir (Xofluza) and zanamivir (Relenza). You take oseltamivir and baloxavir by mouth.
cans of soda contain enough sugar to reduce your immune response by 40 percent - and this effect lasts for hours after drinking the soda (or eating those donuts). Instead, try sweet foods that are lower on the glycemic index, like fruits and veggies, or drinks sweetened with stevia.
June 26, 2025 – The new COVID-19 variant that now makes up about a third of U.S. COVID cases has a signature symptom: a painful sore throat that feels like "razor blades." "This 'razor blade sore throat' was reported as a common symptom in China," where the variant first emerged in May, said Matthew S.
Vitamins C and D, zinc, and Echinacea have evidence-based efficacy on these immune system barriers. This review includes 82 eligible studies to consider the preventive role of these nutrients in immune clusters and in CC to provide advice on dosage and assumption of these nutrients.