What not to drink with sinusitis? A guide to better nutrition

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

Dehydration can significantly worsen sinusitis symptoms by thickening mucus and impairing drainage. Therefore, understanding what not to drink with sinusitis is a crucial part of managing your symptoms and promoting a faster recovery.

Quick Summary

Manage sinusitis discomfort by eliminating or reducing certain beverages. Avoid alcohol, excess caffeine, and sugary drinks, as they contribute to inflammation and dehydration. Consider moderating dairy intake, which can thicken mucus for some individuals.

Key Points

Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol is a diuretic that dehydrates the body and can cause swelling in the sinuses, worsening congestion.
Limit Caffeine: Excessive caffeine from coffee and black tea can contribute to dehydration and cause mucus to thicken, hindering drainage.
Eliminate Sugary Drinks: High-sugar beverages promote inflammation and can suppress your immune response, hindering recovery.
Mindful Dairy Consumption: While not a direct mucus producer for most, dairy can make mucus feel thicker and more bothersome, so consider a temporary reduction.
Prioritize Hydration: Drinking plenty of water, herbal teas, and broths is crucial for thinning mucus and promoting healthy drainage.
Reduce Inflammation: Focus on anti-inflammatory alternatives like ginger or turmeric tea to help soothe irritated sinus membranes.
Observe Your Body: Individual sensitivities vary, so pay attention to how certain drinks affect your symptoms to make the best dietary choices.

The Impact of Diet on Sinusitis

Sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinus tissue, can be a frustrating and painful condition characterized by congestion, facial pressure, and a stuffy nose. While medication and home remedies like steam inhalation are common treatments, your diet plays a significant role in managing the inflammation and mucus production that exacerbate symptoms. Proper hydration is key, as water makes up over 95% of mucus, keeping it thin and flowing freely. Conversely, consuming certain drinks can lead to dehydration, thicken mucus, and trigger inflammation, all of which worsen sinus congestion. By avoiding specific beverages, you can help your body fight infection more effectively and reduce overall discomfort.

Dehydrating Culprits: Alcohol and Caffeine

Among the top drinks to avoid when suffering from sinusitis are those known for their dehydrating effects: alcohol and excessive caffeine.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol, particularly wine and beer, can significantly worsen sinus symptoms for several reasons. First, alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production and leads to dehydration. This dehydration causes the mucus in your sinuses to become thicker and more difficult to drain, leading to increased congestion and pressure. Additionally, alcohol can cause the blood vessels lining your nose and sinuses to swell, further contributing to stuffiness. Some alcoholic beverages, especially red wine, also contain histamines and sulfites, which can trigger allergic-type reactions and increase inflammation in sensitive individuals.

Caffeine

Caffeine, found in coffee, black tea, and energy drinks, is another common diuretic. While moderate intake may not significantly affect hydration in healthy individuals, when you are already congested, the added fluid loss can dry out your mucous membranes. This causes mucus to become thicker and stickier, making it harder for the body's natural clearing mechanisms to function. Health experts often advise limiting or avoiding caffeine during acute sinus infections to prioritize optimal hydration and mucus clearance.

The Problem with Sugary Drinks

Excessive sugar consumption, especially from drinks, is a major contributor to systemic inflammation. When you have a sinus infection, your body is already in an inflammatory state. Consuming high-sugar beverages like sodas, sweetened fruit juices, and sports drinks can worsen this inflammation, potentially increasing sinus pain and pressure. High sugar intake can also suppress the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off the underlying infection.

The Dairy Debate: Fact vs. Fiction

The belief that dairy products increase mucus production is a long-standing one, but the scientific evidence is mixed. For most people, dairy does not cause the body to produce more mucus. Instead, it's often a textural issue; when milk mixes with saliva, it can create a temporary thicker coating in the throat, which is perceived as increased phlegm. However, some studies suggest that dairy can make existing mucus thicker and more bothersome, especially for individuals with a cow's milk sensitivity or allergy. If you notice your congestion worsens after consuming milk, cheese, or cream, it may be beneficial to try a temporary elimination to see if your symptoms improve. Plant-based alternatives like almond, oat, or coconut milk are great substitutes.

Comparison of Drinks for Sinusitis Management


Type of Drink	Potential Impact on Sinusitis	Recommended Action
Alcohol (Wine, Beer)	Dehydrates the body, causes sinus swelling due to histamines.	Avoid completely during an infection.
Caffeine (Coffee, Black Tea)	Diuretic effect can worsen dehydration and thicken mucus.	Limit or avoid, balance with plenty of water.
Sugary Drinks (Soda, Sweetened Juices)	Increases inflammation, suppresses immune function.	Avoid completely. Choose natural fruit options instead.
Dairy (Milk, Cream)	Can make mucus feel thicker for some people, potential allergen trigger.	Listen to your body; reduce or substitute if symptoms worsen.
Water	Essential for thinning mucus and proper drainage.	Drink frequently throughout the day.
Herbal Tea	Provides hydration and steam, some herbs have anti-inflammatory benefits.	Excellent choice; opt for ginger, peppermint, or chamomile.
Clear Broths	Hydrating and soothing; steam can help loosen mucus.	A great option, especially if you have a sore throat.

The Best Drinks for Sinus Relief

Instead of the inflammatory and dehydrating options, focus on beverages that promote hydration and reduce inflammation. These include:

Water: The most important drink for managing sinusitis. Drinking plenty of water keeps mucus thin and allows it to drain more easily, reducing congestion and pressure.
Herbal Teas: Warm teas, especially those with ginger, peppermint, or chamomile, can help soothe irritated membranes. The steam can also act as a natural decongestant, breaking up stuffiness.
Clear Soups and Broths: Just like tea, the warmth and steam from clear soups and broths can provide soothing relief and much-needed hydration.
Ginger and Turmeric Tea: These spices are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce sinus swelling and pain.
Pineapple Juice: Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that some studies suggest can help reduce sinus swelling and pain. Be sure to choose a version with no added sugar.

Conclusion: Prioritize Hydration and Listen to Your Body

Managing sinusitis goes beyond just treating the symptoms; your diet and fluid intake are powerful tools in your recovery. By consciously choosing to avoid dehydrating and inflammatory drinks like alcohol, excessive caffeine, and sugary beverages, you can help your body thin mucus and fight infection more effectively. Substituting these with plenty of water, herbal teas, and clear broths will not only keep you hydrated but also provide soothing, anti-inflammatory benefits. While dairy's effect on mucus varies by individual, paying attention to how your body reacts and making adjustments can be beneficial. Always prioritize what helps you feel best and support your immune system's natural healing process.

For more information on treating sinusitis, consult a healthcare professional. For additional health information, consider reliable sources like the Cleveland Clinic's articles on sinus health.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it's a common belief, dairy doesn't necessarily cause your body to produce more mucus. For some, it can make existing mucus feel thicker and more bothersome. If you notice your symptoms worsen with dairy, consider a temporary reduction or switch to plant-based milk.

Alcohol should be avoided because it acts as a diuretic, dehydrating the body and thickening mucus. It can also cause blood vessels in the sinuses to swell, which increases congestion and inflammation.

Excessive caffeine in coffee can be detrimental because it's a diuretic that may worsen dehydration. Dehydration leads to thicker mucus, making congestion more severe. It's best to limit intake and increase water consumption.

The best drinks for sinus relief are hydrating fluids like water, warm herbal teas (such as ginger or peppermint), and clear broths. These help thin mucus and provide soothing warmth.

Yes, sugary drinks can exacerbate sinusitis. Refined sugar promotes inflammation in the body and can suppress the immune system, making it harder for your body to recover from the infection.

Proper hydration is essential for sinus health because mucus is over 95% water. When dehydrated, mucus thickens and becomes sticky, blocking sinus drainage and increasing the risk of infection.

Not all teas. While black tea and some other caffeinated varieties should be limited, herbal teas like chamomile, ginger, and peppermint are excellent choices. They are caffeine-free and the warm steam helps clear congestion.