What Should I Not Drink if I Have a Cough?

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Library of Medicine, coughs are one of the most common reasons for seeking medical treatment, affecting millions of people each year. When a cough strikes, many focus on remedies, but understanding which drinks can worsen your symptoms is equally vital. Avoiding certain beverages can prevent dehydration, reduce throat irritation, and manage mucus production for a quicker recovery.

Quick Summary

This guide covers drinks to avoid when you have a cough, detailing why certain beverages can hinder recovery. It provides reasons to steer clear of dehydrating, mucus-thickening, and acidic drinks to help manage symptoms effectively. Understanding these dietary choices can support your body's healing process and provide relief from a persistent cough.

Key Points

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: These act as diuretics, leading to dehydration which thickens mucus and can worsen a cough.
Skip Highly Acidic Drinks: Orange juice, grapefruit juice, and soda can irritate an already sensitive and inflamed throat, causing more coughing.
Be Cautious with Dairy: While not definitively proven to increase mucus production, many people experience a thickening sensation in their throat that can induce more coughing.
Limit Sugar and Cold Drinks: High sugar intake suppresses the immune system, while very cold drinks can constrict throat muscles and cause irritation.
Prioritize Hydrating, Warm Fluids: Drink plenty of water, herbal tea with honey, and warm broth to thin mucus, soothe your throat, and aid your immune system.
Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how different drinks affect you personally. If something seems to worsen your symptoms, it's best to avoid it, even if it's not a standard item on the 'avoid' list.

Caffeinated Beverages

Coffee, black tea, energy drinks, and sodas all contain caffeine, a natural diuretic. While a warm cup of coffee might seem soothing, the diuretic effect can increase urination and lead to dehydration, which is counterproductive when you need to stay hydrated to thin mucus. Dehydration can make the mucus in your airways thicker and stickier, making it more difficult to expel and potentially worsening a productive cough. For those with a dry, irritated cough, dehydration can exacerbate the scratchy feeling in your throat. Additionally, for people with acid reflux (a known trigger for chronic coughs), caffeine can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to creep up and irritate the throat.

Negative Impacts of Caffeine on a Cough

Dehydration: Counteracts your body's need for fluids to thin mucus.
Thickened Mucus: Makes congestion harder to clear from the throat and chest.
Throat Irritation: Can worsen a dry, tickly throat and induce further coughing.
Acid Reflux: May trigger or worsen GERD, which can cause a persistent cough.

Alcoholic Beverages

Similar to caffeine, alcohol is a diuretic and a dehydrating agent. It's crucial to avoid alcohol while sick, as it can do more harm than good. Alcohol consumption can also weaken the immune system, delaying your body's ability to fight off the underlying infection causing the cough. Furthermore, alcohol can increase inflammation and irritate the sensitive tissues of your throat and airways, triggering more coughing. Some people, particularly those with asthma, may also have sensitivities to sulfites and histamines found in alcoholic drinks, which can lead to increased mucus production and respiratory symptoms.

Dairy Products

This one is more nuanced, but many people report a link between dairy and increased mucus perception. While scientific studies have found no definitive link between dairy intake and increased mucus production, dairy's creamy texture can mix with saliva, creating a thick coating sensation in the mouth and throat that many mistake for excess phlegm. This sensation can prompt more throat clearing and coughing. If you experience this thickening effect, it's best to avoid dairy like milk, yogurt, and ice cream until your cough subsides. Opt for plant-based milk alternatives instead.

Acidic Juices and Citrus Drinks

While vitamin C is great for your immune system, highly acidic fruit juices like orange juice, grapefruit juice, and lemonade can irritate a sensitive, inflamed throat. The high acidity can increase throat pain and exacerbate the burning sensation, prompting further coughing. For those with acid reflux, these acidic drinks are particularly problematic as they can worsen symptoms and trigger a cough. It is better to opt for warm water with a little honey and lemon for soothing benefits, or low-acid juices like diluted apple juice.

Cold and Sugary Drinks

Drinks that are very cold, such as ice water or ice-laden sodas, can cause throat muscles to contract, which may increase irritation and trigger coughing. Sodas, besides being cold, are loaded with sugar and often contain caffeine. High sugar intake can suppress the immune system and promote inflammation, slowing down recovery and making cough symptoms worse. The carbonation in sodas can also cause gas and further irritate a sore throat.

Comparison Table: Drinks to Avoid vs. Drinks to Choose


Feature	Drinks to Avoid	Drinks to Choose	Rationale for Choice
Dehydration	Coffee, energy drinks, alcohol	Water, herbal tea, broths	Hydrating fluids thin mucus and soothe the throat.
Mucus Perception	Milk, thick milkshakes	Clear broths, warm water	Avoids the thick, coating sensation some experience with dairy.
Throat Irritation	Acidic juices (orange, grapefruit), carbonated sodas, alcohol	Warm honey-lemon water, decaf tea, low-acid juice	Reduces inflammation and avoids worsening a sore throat.
Immune Impact	High-sugar drinks (sodas, juices)	Vitamin C-rich foods and teas	Sugar can suppress the immune system, hindering recovery.
Temperature	Ice-cold beverages	Warm or room-temperature liquids	Cold can irritate the throat and trigger coughing.

Conclusion

When you are struggling with a cough, the drinks you consume play a significant role in managing your symptoms and supporting your recovery. Avoiding dehydrating caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, limiting potentially mucus-thickening dairy products, and steering clear of acidic and sugary beverages can prevent further irritation and discomfort. Instead, focus on staying well-hydrated with warm water, herbal teas, and soothing broths. Making these mindful choices can help alleviate your symptoms and allow your body to heal more effectively. If your cough persists or worsens, consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What to drink instead when you have a cough?

Warm Water with Honey and Lemon: A timeless remedy, the honey coats and soothes the throat while lemon provides a little extra vitamin C.
Herbal Teas: Teas like peppermint or ginger are excellent choices. Peppermint contains menthol, a natural decongestant, while ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritation.
Chicken Soup or Broth: The warm fluid and steam can help thin mucus and soothe a sore throat.
Plenty of Plain Water: Staying hydrated is the most crucial step for thinning mucus and relieving symptoms.
Warm Apple Juice: A good, low-acid option for something other than water or tea.
Gargle with Saltwater: A simple and effective method for temporarily relieving a sore throat.
Popsicles: These can numb and soothe a sore, irritated throat.

What if you're a coffee drinker? What should you not drink if I have a cough and can't go without coffee?

If you find it difficult to cut out coffee entirely, limit yourself to one or two cups daily at most. Ensure you are also drinking plenty of extra water to counteract the dehydrating effects of the caffeine. Pairing your coffee with a spoonful of honey might also help soothe your throat. However, the best approach is to temporarily replace your coffee with herbal teas to promote better rest and recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is best to avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic that can cause dehydration, weaken your immune system, and irritate your throat, all of which can prolong or worsen your cough.

While milk does not necessarily increase mucus production, its creamy texture can create a sensation of thicker mucus in your mouth and throat, which may prompt more coughing. If you notice this effect, it is best to avoid it.

Highly acidic juices, such as orange or grapefruit juice, can irritate a sore throat and worsen a cough. It is better to choose diluted, low-acid juices like apple juice or opt for warm, soothing fluids.

Yes, coffee can be detrimental. As a diuretic, it can cause dehydration, which thickens mucus and irritates your throat, potentially increasing coughing. It's recommended to limit or avoid it while recovering.

Yes, excessively cold drinks can trigger muscle spasms in your throat and cause further irritation, potentially worsening a cough. Opt for warm or room-temperature liquids instead.

High sugar intake can suppress the immune system and promote inflammation in the body. When you have a cough, your immune system is already compromised, so avoiding sugary drinks can help support your body's healing process.

Herbal tea with honey and lemon is a great alternative. For instance, ginger tea can reduce inflammation, while peppermint can help with decongestion. The honey soothes your throat without the dehydrating effects of caffeine.