What Candy Can You Eat When Sick?

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

Recent studies have explored the soothing properties of certain candies, revealing that some can offer genuine relief for common sickness symptoms like coughs and nausea. But with so many options available, the question remains: what candy can you eat when sick that will actually help and not just provide a temporary sugar rush?

Quick Summary

This guide explores specific candy types that can alleviate cold and flu symptoms, such as sore throats and nausea. It details the benefits of honey, ginger, and hard candies, explaining why they work. A comparison table highlights ideal choices, along with advice on what to avoid to prevent worsening symptoms.

Key Points

Honey Candies: Provide natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe sore throats and coughs, especially when combined with lemon.
Ginger Chews: Excellent for combating nausea and upset stomachs, with some varieties containing strong concentrations of real ginger for maximum effect.
Peppermint Hard Candies: Effective for easing digestive issues like gas and bloating by helping to relax stomach muscles.
Dark Chocolate: Surprisingly, dark chocolate with high cacao content can be more effective than codeine at suppressing a persistent cough by coating the throat.
Hard Candies: The simple act of sucking on any hard candy increases saliva production, which helps keep the throat moist and provides relief from general irritation.
Avoid Sugary Gummies: Refined sugar in candies like gummies can weaken the immune system and potentially worsen diarrhea, so it's best to steer clear when sick.
Avoid Sugar-Free Candies: Many sugar-free options contain sugar alcohols that can cause digestive problems like bloating and diarrhea.

Candies That Can Soothe Your Symptoms

When you're under the weather, a spoonful of honey can soothe a sore throat, but a honey-flavored candy offers a convenient, portable alternative. Likewise, ginger is a well-known remedy for an upset stomach and nausea, and ginger candy can provide this benefit in a more palatable form. The act of sucking on a hard candy, regardless of flavor, also stimulates saliva production, which helps keep the throat moist and reduces irritation.

Hard Candies for Sore Throats

For a nagging sore throat, hard candies are a staple. The constant act of sucking and swallowing provides much-needed relief by coating the throat and suppressing the cough reflex.

Honey-Lemon Candies: This classic combination leverages honey's natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, with lemon's vitamin C and refreshing taste.
Horehound Candy: An old-fashioned remedy, horehound candy is known for its ability to soothe sore throats and tickly coughs due to its distinct, herbal flavor.
Fruit Drops (Jolly Ranchers): Sometimes, a simple fruit-flavored hard candy works just as well. The key is the throat-coating action and the pleasant distraction from discomfort.

Ginger Candy for Nausea

If your sickness comes with a side of nausea, ginger is your best friend. Ginger candies, chews, and crystallized pieces can be particularly effective.

Ginger Chews: These spicy-sweet chews are packed with real ginger, which aids digestion and calms the stomach. Many brands are made without artificial ingredients.
Crystallized Ginger: A potent option, crystallized ginger offers a chewy texture and intense ginger flavor for maximum anti-nausea effect.

Peppermint Candy for Upset Stomachs

Peppermint's digestive benefits are well-documented. A simple peppermint candy can offer relief from gas, bloating, and indigestion.

Peppermint Hard Candies: These candies can help calm an upset stomach by relaxing the muscles and reducing feelings of discomfort.
Mint Chews: Similar to hard candies, mint chews can also aid digestion and provide a fresh, soothing sensation in your mouth and stomach.

Dark Chocolate for Coughs

Surprisingly, studies have shown that cocoa, a key ingredient in chocolate, can be more effective than codeine at suppressing a persistent cough.

Slowly Suck on Dark Chocolate: Choose a high-quality dark chocolate with at least 65% cacao. Allow it to melt slowly in your mouth to coat your throat, soothing nerve endings and calming your cough reflex.

Comparison: Best Candies When You're Sick

Choosing the right candy depends on your specific symptoms. Here is a quick guide to help you decide.


Feature	Hard Candy (Honey-Lemon)	Ginger Candy	Peppermint Candy	Dark Chocolate (65%+ Cacao)
Best For	Sore throat, Cough	Nausea, Upset Stomach	Indigestion, Gas, Bloating	Persistent Cough
Mechanism	Coats throat, increases saliva	Calms stomach, aids digestion	Relaxes digestive muscles	Coats throat, suppresses cough reflex
Taste	Sweet, citrus, herbal	Spicy, sweet	Minty, refreshing	Rich, slightly bitter
Caution	High sugar content	May be too spicy for some	Can trigger acid reflux	Avoid if sensitive to caffeine
Immune Support?	Some varieties (honey)	High antioxidant content	Helps digestive health	Rich in antioxidants

Candies and Ingredients to Avoid

While some candies can be beneficial, others can worsen symptoms or hinder recovery.

High-Sugar Gummy Candies

Refined sugar can temporarily suppress the immune system by weakening the white blood cells' ability to fight bacteria. Additionally, it can worsen diarrhea by pulling fluid into the gastrointestinal tract. It's best to avoid highly processed, sugary treats like gummies, fruit chews, and most commercial chocolates (which contain less cocoa than dark chocolate).

Artificial Sweeteners and Sugar Alcohols

Sugar-free candies often contain sugar alcohols (e.g., sorbitol) that can have a laxative effect and cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea, especially when consumed in large quantities. This is particularly important for those with a stomach bug.

Dairy-Heavy Chocolates

While dark chocolate can help a cough, milk chocolate and other dairy-heavy candies are less effective. Some individuals find that excessive dairy consumption can increase mucus production, which is not ideal when you're already congested.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Candy for Relief

When you're sick, a well-chosen candy can provide more than just comfort—it can offer genuine symptom relief. For a sore throat and cough, opt for a hard honey-lemon or horehound candy to coat and soothe your irritated throat. If nausea is the primary issue, ginger chews or crystallized ginger can help settle your stomach. For digestion troubles, peppermint candies can aid in calming your gut. Surprisingly, high-quality dark chocolate (65%+ cacao) can also be an effective remedy for a stubborn cough. Always prioritize candies with beneficial ingredients and moderate your intake, as a high sugar load can be counterproductive to recovery. For the most up-to-date health guidance, consult with a healthcare provider.

Outbound Link: For more information on the effectiveness of honey for coughs, you can review studies cited by the Cleveland Clinic.

How to Choose the Right Candy for Your Ailment

For Sore Throats: Stick with hard, throat-coating candies like honey-lemon drops or lozenges with real honey. Avoid chewy or sticky varieties that can be harder on the throat.
For Nausea: Opt for ginger chews or crystallized ginger. The stronger the ginger content, the more effective it is at calming an upset stomach.
For Coughs: Slowly savor a piece of dark chocolate with high cacao content (at least 65%) to help coat and soothe your throat. Hard candies with honey can also work well.
For Digestion Issues: Peppermint hard candies or lozenges can help relax stomach muscles and ease indigestion.

By selecting the right candy for your symptoms, you can find a little comfort and relief during your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

While most hard candies can provide temporary relief by increasing saliva flow to coat and soothe the throat, those with honey or herbal ingredients like horehound offer added anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial benefits.

It is generally not recommended to eat gummy candy when sick. The high refined sugar content can temporarily suppress your immune system and potentially worsen diarrhea or stomach upset.

Yes, some studies have shown that high-quality dark chocolate with a high cacao content can be effective at suppressing a persistent cough. Its stickiness helps coat the throat, which calms nerve endings responsible for the cough reflex.

Ginger is a well-known natural remedy for nausea. Ginger chews and crystallized ginger contain compounds like gingerol that can help calm an upset stomach and aid digestion.

Honey candy is safe for most people, but honey should never be given to infants under one year old due to the risk of infant botulism. People with diabetes should also monitor their sugar intake.

While it may seem healthier, sugar-free candies often contain sugar alcohols that can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea. This is especially problematic if you have a stomach bug or already suffer from digestive issues.

While peppermint can't cure a stuffy nose, the menthol in peppermint candy can provide a cooling sensation that helps you feel like you're breathing more clearly. It is primarily for soothing upset stomachs.

For children over one year old, honey-lemon hard candies or lollipops can be soothing for a sore throat or cough. For nausea, ginger candies are a good option. Always avoid honey for infants under one year old.