Is it true that cold foods cause sore throat and tonsillitis?

(Dan Tri) - Eating cold foods regularly on hot days can turn a savior into an agent that causes tonsils to swell and become inflamed, causing prolonged pain.

During the hot summer days, many people often turn to ice water, ice cream or cold foods to “cool down”. However, this habit sometimes comes with health problems, especially sore throat, fever or tonsillitis.

The tonsils, also known as the palatine tonsils, are two masses of lymphoid tissue located on either side of the throat. They are considered the body's first "shield", with the task of preventing bacteria and viruses from entering the respiratory tract.

Tonsillitis occurs when the tonsils become swollen, red, and possibly filled with pus due to bacteria or viruses. This condition is common in both children and adults, especially during weather changes or when the immune system is weakened.

Tonsillitis can often appear during periods of changing weather or when resistance is reduced. (Photo: Unsplash).

According to Dr. Le Ngoc Chau, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City - Branch 3, tonsillitis can start suddenly (acute) or last for a long time (chronic). The most common signs are sore throat, especially when swallowing, accompanied by mild or high fever. Both tonsils are often red and swollen, and white pus may even appear in the cavities.

Patients also have bad breath, hoarse voice or loss of voice, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, fatigue, and loss of appetite. In children, tonsillitis often causes fussiness, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, or wheezing at night.

Dr. Chau said that about 70% of tonsillitis cases are caused by viruses, the rest are caused by bacteria, including group A streptococcus.

However, the disease often starts or worsens when combined with many other risk factors such as sudden changes in weather that make it difficult for the body to adapt, a weakened immune system, or a polluted living environment, dust, cigarette smoke or chemicals can easily damage the throat mucosa, creating conditions for bacteria to grow.

In addition, unhealthy living habits such as drinking water that is too cold, eating ice cream regularly, sleeping in an air-conditioned room with the temperature too low or bathing at night also increase the risk.

Poor oral hygiene is also an important cause, as bacteria buildup in the throat and tonsils can cause infection.

According to Dr. Le Ngoc Chau, cold foods do not directly cause tonsillitis, but can increase the risk of the disease. When the body is hot and sweats a lot, the throat mucosa is in a dilated state, cold water entering will cause blood vessels to suddenly constrict. This phenomenon reduces blood flow and local immunity, making the throat mucosa sensitive and susceptible to viruses and bacteria, thereby triggering tonsillitis.

To protect the tonsils and respiratory tract during the hot season, Dr. Chau recommends limiting the consumption of very cold water, and instead using cool water or water at room temperature.

Oral hygiene is also important, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, and gargling with saline after meals or before going to bed.

In addition, you should increase your resistance with a healthy lifestyle: drink enough 1.5-2 liters of water per day, eat lots of green vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C such as oranges, grapefruit, strawberries; at the same time, get enough sleep and maintain regular exercise.

People should also pay attention to avoid sudden changes in environmental temperature, for example, do not immediately enter an air-conditioned room when the body is still wet with sweat or has just come in from the sun, and do not let the fan or air conditioner blow directly on the face while sleeping.

If symptoms such as sore throat, fever, swollen tonsils or swollen lymph nodes appear, you should see a doctor early for timely diagnosis and treatment to avoid the disease from progressing.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/su-that-thuc-pham-lanh-gay-dau-hong-viem-amidan-20250830075344475.htm