Choose Artist Recommended Food and Drinks to Soothe a Singing Voice

Edited by Nerissa Avisado, Eng, Lynn, afisinado and 5 others

Laryngitis due to vocal abuse can cost a singer his or her career. It can mean losing opportunities to become famous and rich, but most of all, it means losing a singing voice that makes a true singer happy. Those who make it in the business have learned to keep their vocal cords robust and healthy through the years.

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If you are as passionate about singing, wouldn't you be interested to find out their secrets to sustain a good singing voice? If you have the opportunity to ask them, wouldn't you ask what food and drinks they recommend to soothe a singing voice?

One of a singer's dreaded bugs is laryngitis. It is caused by an inflamed or irritated voice box due to over-singing or singing too high. As the vocal cords get inflamed, the quality of voice changes and the singing process is interrupted. This is most frustrating because it robs the singer of a great performance. Like athletes who care for their bodies, singers do everything to preserve their voices and keep them in good condition. There may be scientific techniques to exercise the vocal cords, but much of the secret to vocal health lies in consuming the right foods and drinks, and many singers would be confident in recommending their tried and tested efficacy.

Healthy Food and Drinks for a Healthy Voice

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    Water
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    It is important for singers to keep their vocal folds hydrated at all times. If you can drink like a whale by consuming at least 64 ounces of fluids in a day, that will keep the throat moistened, the voice lubricated, and all the vital organs hydrated. Some popular singers are known to drink up to a gallon of water on their performance days, and keep a supply of bottled water backstage while they perform. They continue to drink more liquids until the next day to soothe the strained vocal cords.
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  2. 2
    Honey
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    Gradually swallowing a spoonful of honey coats the lining of the throat, alleviates discomfort and speeds up the healing process. The sweet hive product has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help ward off bacteria that infect the throat.
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  3. 3
    Veggies and Fruits
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    Singers consume lots of green leafy vegetables and fruits, not only to keep their body in shape, but also to maintain a healthy voice. These food items are rich with the following vitamins, needed for shedding toxins and fighting diseases.  
    1. Vitamin A: Singers should consume at least two servings a day of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A. Their diet should include sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, squash, apricots, and romaine lettuce, which all promote vocal health. The recommended daily allowance for men is 900 micrograms of vitamin A, while women require at least 700 micrograms.
    2. Vitamin C: Fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, red peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, kiwi, and grapefruit all contain varying quantities of vitamin C. It's more than enough to supply the recommended daily allowance of 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women to help the body form and maintain collagen, which is essential for a healthy voice and lungs.
    3. Vitamin E: Spinach, avocados and mangoes are delicious sources of vitamin E, which aids the cells in the brain and lungs. The vitamin's daily recommended allowance for men and women, which is 15 mg, can be supplemented by eating nuts and seeds.
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  4. 4
    Protein
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    Singers should consume fish and poultry with high protein content to maintain their strength and durability. Some performing divas eat iron-rich red meats, while vegetarian singers often nibble on energy bars and splurge on protein shakes a day before their grand performance.
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  5. 5
    Hard Candies
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    Your dentist may not approve of it, but you can take it from singers who suck on lollipops, Lifesavers, Jolly Ranchers, and herbal lozenges, particularly those with fruity sweet-tart flavors. Studies show that the sweet and tart flavors are fantastic for stimulating the salivary glands, which in effect moisturizes the vocal folds.
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  6. 6
    Unsalted Toasted Bread and Crackers
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    The masticated particles and crumbs adhere to the top of the throat and remain in the mouth, stimulating the salivary glands to function even when you're done eating them.
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Tips, Tricks and Warnings

  • If you're already taking a multivitamin, there's no need to consume additional supplements of vitamins A or E. An overdose on these vitamins is not healthy because they are not water soluble.
  • Minimize your consumption of dairy products, especially before a vocal performance. Dairy products tend to increase mucus production, which can interfere with respiration and lead to frequent throat clearing.
  • Avoid caffeinated drinks mainly for their dehydrating effects, but also for aggravating acid reflux. Acids passing through the esophagus to the larynx can lead to laryngopharyngeal reflux, a condition accompanied by chronic cough, sore throat, and other symptoms leading to voice problems.
  • Singers should also avoid carbonated beverages due to their tendency to promote acid reflux. Carbonation causes the presence of excessive air in the stomach, making singing difficult.
  • Avoid eating citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits because they can dry out the throat lining.
  • Give up chewing gum. It makes you swallow much of the saliva, drying out the throat.

Professional singers rely on their voice to earn a living. They go the extra mile to protect their voices by choosing to consume the right foods and drinks, and avoiding certain foods that are harmful to the vocal cords. If you have a good singing voice and you want to be popular like your singing idols, heed their advice on what food and drinks to choose to soothe your singing voice.

Questions and Answers

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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Article Info

Categories : Voice Lessons & Tips

Recent edits by: Doug Collins, VisiHow, Sandip

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