Protect Your Voice With Food and Beverages

by Diane Lofshult

Food for Thought:

Fitness professionals, especially group instructors, exercise their vocal cords almost as much as they exercise their muscles. Here are some sound tips from speech pathologists to keep your voice healthy:

Stay Hydrated. If the mucous membranes surrounding the vocal folds become dry, they cannot vibrate effectively.

Cut Out Caffeine. Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea and some sodas, can dry out the vocal cords.

Give Up the Gum. Gum chewing makes you swallow often, which dries out the throat.

Lose the Menthyl Lozenges. Menthyl lozenges are extremely drying to the throat. Instead, select lemon drops or sugar-free hard candies.

Avoid Alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are also likely to dry the vocal cords.

Soothe the Symptoms. Warm herbal (decaffeinated) tea is good for soothing the throat; lemon and honey added to a glass of warm water will likewise be gentle on the vocal cords.