Sore throats are very common, especially during cold and flu season. While sore throats often resolve on their own, many people look for ways to get relief from the pain and discomfort. Some believe that drinking soda can worsen a sore throat or prolong symptoms. Below we’ll explore whether soda makes a sore throat worse and provide some quick answers to related questions.
Quick Answers
Does soda make a sore throat worse? There are a few reasons why soda may aggravate a sore throat:
- Carbonation: The bubbles in soda can irritate an already inflamed throat.
- Acidity: Sodas have a very low pH and the acidity can further irritate the throat.
- Sugar: High amounts of sugar could feed bacteria and inflammation.
- Dehydration: The high sugar and caffeine content may lead to dehydration and thicker mucus.
So in general, soda is not the best choice when you have a sore throat. Plain water, herbal tea, broths, and honey are gentler options to help soothe throat pain and stay hydrated.
Should you drink soda when you have a sore throat?
No, it’s generally not recommended to drink soda when you have a sore throat. The carbonation, acidity, and sugar content can further irritate the throat. Water, herbal tea, broths, or diluted juices are better options.
Why does carbonation irritate a sore throat?
Carbonated sodas contain dissolved carbon dioxide gas, which creates the characteristic bubbles and fizz. These bubbles can be irritating to an already inflamed, irritated throat. They provide a physical aggravation that can cause further discomfort.
Is Sprite okay for a sore throat?
Sprite is not the best option for a sore throat as it still contains carbonation and acidity. The lemon-lime flavor also contains citric acid that can further irritate the throat. Plain water or herbal tea would be gentler options.
Acidity in Soda
One of the main reasons soda may worsen a sore throat is due to its acidity. Sodas have a very low pH, meaning they are quite acidic beverages. This acidity comes from a few sources:
- Carbonic acid – Formed when carbon dioxide is dissolved in water
- Phosphoric acid – Added to colas for flavor
- Citric acid – Added to fruit-flavored sodas for sourness
This acidity can worsen throat pain by further irritating an already inflamed mucosal lining. Acidic drinks like soda may cause a burning sensation and make swallowing more difficult. This is why water is recommended rather than soda when trying to stay hydrated with a sore throat.
How does soda acidity compare to other drinks?
Here’s a comparison of the pH levels (acidity) of some common beverages:
| Beverage | pH |
|---|---|
| Soda (Cola) | 2.5 |
| Orange Juice | 3.4 |
| Coffee | 5.0 |
| Milk | 6.7 |
| Water | 7.0 |
As you can see, soda is much more acidic than other common drinks like juice, coffee, milk, and water. So it tends to irritate the throat more.
Which soda has the most acid?
Cola sodas tend to be the most acidic. Coca-cola has a pH of 2.5 while Pepsi has a pH of 2.7. The phosphoric acid added to these drinks lowers the pH substantially. Citrus-flavored sodas like Mountain Dew (pH 3.3) also tend to be highly acidic due to their citric and ascorbic acid content.
Sugar Content
Another problematic component of soda when you have a sore throat is its high sugar content. A 12-ounce can of soda contains around 39 grams or about 10 teaspoons of added sugar on average. Drinking high amounts of sugar does a few things that can worsen a sore throat:
- Provides fuel for bacteria – The bacteria that cause sore throats feed on sugar.
- Increases inflammation – High sugar intake can increase inflammatory responses.
- Dehydrates – The osmotic effect of concentrated sugar draws water from tissues.
- Coats the throat – The syrupy consistency can temporarily coat and aggravate the throat.
This is why drinking soda when you have an infection like strep throat is a particularly bad idea – the excess sugar content could help the bacteria proliferate.
How much sugar is in popular sodas?
Here’s the sugar content of some popular soda brands:
| Soda | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|
| Coca-cola (12 oz) | 39 |
| Pepsi (12 oz) | 41 |
| Mountain Dew (12 oz) | 46 |
| Sprite (12 oz) | 38 |
| Dr. Pepper (12 oz) | 40 |
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day for women and 36 grams (9 teaspoons) for men. One can of soda exceeds these daily limits.
What about sugar-free sodas?
Sugar-free or diet sodas use artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, or sucralose rather than sugar. While they don’t contain concentrated sugars, they still have carbonation and acidity that could worsen throat pain. Water or herbal teas would be better choices.
Dehydration
Staying hydrated is key when you have a sore throat. Hydration helps thin out mucus secretions, allowing them to clear more easily. It also improves circulation, bringing nutrients and immune cells to promote healing.
However, drinking soda can lead to dehydration for a few reasons:
- Caffeine – Many sodas contain caffeine, which acts as a mild diuretic.
- High sugar – The osmotic effect draws water from body tissues.
- Carbonation – Bubbles cause belching which loses fluid.
This dehydrating effect leads to thicker, stickier mucus that may coat and further irritate the throat. Water is the best way to stay hydrated. But broths, herbal teas, diluted juices, and milk can help too by providing fluids plus beneficial nutrients.
How much caffeine is in soda?
Here are the caffeine contents for some popular sodas:
| Soda (12 oz) | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|
| Coca-cola | 34 |
| Diet Coke | 46 |
| Pepsi | 38 |
| Mountain Dew | 54 |
| Dr Pepper | 42 |
For comparison, a typical 8 oz cup of coffee contains around 95 mg of caffeine. So while less than coffee, soda can still have a mild diuretic effect.
Other Irritants
In addition to bubbles, acid, sugar, and caffeine, soda contains other ingredients that may bother an irritated throat:
- Sodium benzoate – Preservative that can provoke throat irritation in some people.
- Sulfur dioxide – Antioxidant that may trigger throat burning and swelling.
- Potassium benzoate – Preservative that produces benzene, an irritant.
- Brominated vegetable oil – Flame retardant chemical linked to sore throat in some cases.
While small amounts of these additives are considered safe by regulators, they may further aggravate an already inflamed throat in sensitive individuals. Again, opting for water or herbal tea avoids any additives.
Are naturally flavored sodas less irritating?
Naturally flavored sodas like ginger ale do avoid some synthetic ingredients. However, they still contain carbonation, acidity, and often sugar that can bother a sore throat. And “natural flavors” can hide many additives. So while they may be slightly gentler, water and tea are still better options when throat health is the priority.
Relief and Recovery
When you’re dealing with a sore throat, focus on providing symptom relief while promoting healing. Here are some tips:
- Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of cool water, broth, herbal tea, diluted juices.
- Use a humidifier – Steam hydrates and soothes throat tissues.
- Gargle with saltwater – Helps reduce swelling and flush out irritants.
- Suck on lozenges – Coats and numbs the throat.
- Take OTC pain relievers – Ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief.
- Get adequate rest – Rest allows the body to direct energy towards healing.
- Avoid irritants – Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
Avoiding soda and other irritants while taking steps to actively soothe your throat will help it feel better faster.
The Bottom Line
Drinking soda is not recommended when you have a sore throat. Reasons it can make throat pain and irritation worse include:
- Carbonation: Bubbles aggravate inflamed tissues.
- Acidity: Low pH sodas burn and irritate.
- Sugar: Promotes bacterial growth and inflammation.
- Dehydration: Caffeine and sugar have a drying effect.
- Other additives and preservatives: May provoke sensitivity.
While soda may seem appealing for its cool, sweet taste, it tends to exacerbate throat discomfort. Plain water, herbal teas, broths, honey, and diluted juices are gentler options to help keep the throat hydrated and soothed while ill.