What foods should you avoid with Sjogren's syndrome?

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to one clinical study, approximately 65% of Sjögren's patients report symptom improvement after making dietary adjustments. Making informed food choices can significantly reduce inflammation and irritation associated with this autoimmune condition, providing much-needed relief from common symptoms like dry mouth and fatigue.

Quick Summary

Certain foods can exacerbate Sjögren's syndrome symptoms by increasing inflammation and irritation. Avoiding processed foods, refined sugars, and acidic items can help manage dry mouth, fatigue, and joint pain. Identifying personal dietary triggers is a key strategy for managing flares and improving quality of life.

Key Points

Avoid Processed Foods: Steer clear of processed snacks, ready meals, and sugary baked goods, which are high in unhealthy fats and sugar that increase inflammation.
Limit Inflammatory Fats: Eliminate trans fats found in fried foods and avoid refined oils rich in omega-6s, opting instead for anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats.
Dodge Acidic & Spicy Items: Prevent oral irritation by avoiding citrus fruits, tomatoes, vinegar-based dressings, and hot peppers.
Eliminate Dehydrating Drinks: Reduce consumption of caffeine and alcohol, as they can exacerbate dry mouth symptoms.
Consider Food Sensitivities: A supervised elimination diet can help identify if common allergens like dairy or gluten are personal inflammatory triggers.
Mind Your Intake: Reduce sodium, which can worsen dryness, and stay hydrated with plenty of water and moist, soft foods.

The Connection Between Diet and Sjögren's Symptoms

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture-producing glands, primarily those that make tears and saliva. This leads to classic symptoms like dry mouth and dry eyes, but many patients also experience joint pain, fatigue, and digestive issues. Diet plays a crucial role in managing these symptoms, as certain foods can either calm or aggravate inflammation. Pro-inflammatory foods, in particular, can worsen the dryness and overall systemic inflammation characteristic of the condition. A significant number of Sjögren's patients also experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and certain foods can trigger GERD symptoms as well.

Foods That Drive Inflammation

For those with Sjögren's, a primary dietary goal is to reduce systemic inflammation. Several food categories are known to be pro-inflammatory and should be avoided or limited:

Processed and Refined Foods: These include packaged snacks, frozen meals, pastries, and other convenience foods. They often contain unhealthy fats (like trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils), added sugars, and artificial ingredients that trigger an inflammatory response. Many patients report a noticeable reduction in fatigue and joint pain after cutting processed foods.
Refined Carbohydrates and Added Sugars: Refined grains, white bread, pasta, and sweets cause rapid spikes in blood sugar. This triggers an inflammatory cascade stimulated by insulin, which can aggravate Sjögren's symptoms. Moreover, high sugar intake promotes tooth decay, a significant risk when saliva production is already low.
High-Sodium Foods: Excessive salt intake, common in canned soups, deli meats, and many restaurant meals, draws moisture from tissues, worsening dryness and eye discomfort. Opt for fresh foods and use herbs and spices for flavor instead of relying on packaged, high-sodium products.
Unhealthy Fats: Trans fats are particularly problematic and should be eliminated. Many commercial cooking oils like corn, canola, and safflower oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be converted into pro-inflammatory compounds in the body. Conversely, omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory.

Foods That Irritate a Dry Mouth and Throat

Managing oral discomfort is a major part of living with Sjögren's. Avoiding foods that can burn, sting, or scratch sensitive mouth tissues is critical.

Acidic Foods: The high acidity in citrus fruits (oranges, lemons) and tomatoes can severely irritate oral tissues, causing burning sensations. Vinegar-based products like salad dressings and pickled vegetables also pose a challenge due to their acetic acid content. Opt for less acidic juices like pear or peach, and use oil-based dressings.
Spicy Foods: Capsaicin, the compound in peppers that provides heat, directly irritates sensitive mucous membranes and intensifies dryness and burning sensations in the mouth. Avoid hot sauces, chili, and spicy curries, and instead use milder herbs for flavor.
Dry and Crunchy Foods: Hard candies, popcorn, dry crackers, and crusty bread can be painful to eat and swallow with low saliva production. Choose soft, moist, and creamy foods instead, and use sauces and gravies to make meals more palatable.
Dehydrating Drinks: Caffeine and alcohol can increase dehydration, intensifying dry mouth and eye symptoms. It is best to avoid or limit these beverages and focus on staying well-hydrated with water and herbal teas throughout the day.

Common Allergens and Sensitivities

Some individuals find that certain common foods can act as inflammatory triggers. While not universal, a trial elimination can help determine personal sensitivities.

Gluten: Found in wheat, barley, and rye, gluten can trigger inflammatory responses in many people with autoimmune conditions. Patients who eliminate gluten often report significant reductions in joint pain and fatigue. A proper elimination diet under professional guidance is recommended before cutting gluten long-term.
Dairy: Dairy products are another common allergen that can cause inflammation. The saturated fats in dairy may also contribute to inflammation. Some people with Sjögren's find relief by limiting or eliminating dairy, though some dairy products like yogurt might be tolerated in moderation.
Nightshade Vegetables: Some individuals find that nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant) increase joint pain and fatigue. An elimination trial can help identify if these vegetables are personal triggers.

Food Choices for Sjögren's: A Comparison


Category	Avoid	Opt for
Sweets	Refined sugars, sodas, high-fructose corn syrup	Natural sweeteners (honey, maple syrup in moderation), fresh fruit
Fats	Trans fats (fried food), corn/canola oil	Omega-3s (avocado, olive oil, fatty fish like salmon)
Grains	Refined grains, gluten products (bread, pasta)	Whole grains (oats, quinoa), gluten-free alternatives
Texture	Hard, crunchy, dry foods (nuts, crackers)	Soft, moist, creamy foods (soups, casseroles, oatmeal)
Beverages	Caffeine, alcohol, sugary sodas	Water, herbal tea, sugar-free drinks

Creating Your Sjögren's Diet

Since every individual's body responds differently, a personalized approach is key. The best way to identify your specific triggers is by keeping a detailed food journal. Record what you eat and drink, along with any symptoms you experience. This can reveal patterns between your diet and symptom flares. A medically supervised elimination diet is another effective method, where you remove common trigger foods for a few weeks before reintroducing them one by one to test your reactions. Before making significant dietary changes, consulting a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian is highly recommended. For more resources on managing Sjögren's, visit the official Sjögren's Foundation website.

Conclusion

While diet alone is not a cure for Sjögren's syndrome, consciously avoiding certain foods and beverages can provide substantial symptom relief and reduce systemic inflammation. By focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and steering clear of irritating and dehydrating items, patients can better manage dry mouth, pain, and fatigue. The journey to a comfortable diet is often a process of careful observation and personalization, but the rewards—a better quality of life and reduced flares—are well worth the effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Certain foods trigger inflammatory immune responses or physically irritate dry mucous membranes, intensifying symptoms like pain, fatigue, and dry mouth. Inflammatory triggers can increase intestinal permeability, contributing to systemic issues.

Yes, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet that focuses on whole, unprocessed foods can help manage symptoms by reducing systemic inflammation. Such diets often incorporate fruits, vegetables, nuts, and omega-3-rich fatty fish.

Not necessarily. While many with autoimmune conditions find relief by avoiding gluten and dairy, individual responses vary. It is best to undertake a supervised elimination diet to confirm personal sensitivities before making permanent exclusions.

With reduced saliva production, dry and crunchy foods are difficult and uncomfortable to chew and swallow. This can physically irritate the sensitive mouth tissues and exacerbate dry mouth and throat pain.

Refined sugars cause blood sugar spikes, which can trigger an inflammatory cascade that worsens Sjögren's symptoms. Additionally, high sugar intake increases the risk of tooth decay, a common problem for Sjögren's patients.

Spicy foods contain capsaicin, which directly irritates the sensitive oral tissues of someone with Sjögren's. This can cause significant burning sensations and increase discomfort, making eating unpleasant.

Red meat contains arachidonic acid, a type of fat that is thought to contribute to inflammation. Many dietary experts recommend reducing red meat consumption or choosing leaner, grass-fed alternatives to help manage inflammation.

The best drinks are hydrating options that do not contain sugar, caffeine, or alcohol. Water, herbal teas, and clear broths are excellent choices for staying hydrated and soothing a dry mouth.