What foods should be avoided when having a cough?

Generally speaking, there are no absolute foods that cough patients must avoid entirely, but it is not recommended to consume ice cream, chili peppers, fried French fries, sweet cakes, crab, and similar foods. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Ice Cream

Ice cream is a cold-natured food with a low temperature. When entering the throat, it may irritate the throat mucosa, possibly causing constriction of throat blood vessels and worsening mucosal congestion and swelling, thereby exacerbating cough symptoms. Therefore, it is not recommended.

2. Chili Peppers

Chili peppers are spicy and irritating foods containing capsaicin. This substance directly stimulates nerves and mucous membranes in the throat, causing throat discomfort, potentially increasing the frequency of coughing, and possibly worsening symptoms such as sore throat, dryness, and itching. Therefore, consumption should be avoided as much as possible.

3. Fried French Fries

Fried French fries are deep-fried foods with high oil content, which are difficult to digest and may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, greasy foods may promote phlegm production, leading to increased and thickened mucus, which is unfavorable for cough recovery.

4. Sweet Cakes

Sweet cakes have a high sugar content. Excessive sugar intake may irritate the throat mucosa, increasing secretions in the throat area and potentially providing conditions for bacterial growth, worsening throat inflammation and making cough symptoms difficult to relieve. Therefore, consumption is not recommended.

5. Crab

Crab is a type of seafood. Some cough patients may be allergic to seafood, and consuming it may trigger allergic reactions, worsening cough and possibly causing symptoms such as skin itching and rashes. Even in the absence of allergies, crab is cold in nature and may irritate the throat, which is detrimental to cough recovery.

In addition, cough patients should also avoid eating pickled vegetables, mustard, and other similar foods as much as possible. At the same time, in daily life, attention should be paid to drinking plenty of warm water to keep the throat moist, avoiding excessive voice strain, and maintaining regular作息 to aid in body recovery.