Body
& Soul
Voice Care with David M. Alessi, M.D
VOICE CARE AND EFECTS OF CAFFEINE, COFEE, LEMON, DAIRY AND NUTS
MBADC: What about caffeine? What does that do?
DA: There’s caffeine and there’s coffee…I’ll get into
coffee in a second, but caffeine will basically increase the amount of acid you have in
your stomach, and actually help to create more acid reflux. And especially if you’re
like most performers and you don’t feel it, it’s going to be hurtful to your
vocal cords. In addition, caffeine can be drying, because it’s a mild diuretic, and
that can be drying to the vocal cords. And as far as coffee is concerned, coffee has lots
of natural oils in it that are very acidic and can also cause a lot of problems with acid reflux, too.
MBADC: So even decaf is a no-no then.
DA: A definite no-no.
MBADC: Do you find that there’s any advantage to bottled water over
tap?
DA: No. Unless you’re in Mexico.
MBADC: What about lemon? What does that do?
DA: Lemon or grapefruit juice is very acidic, so it can actually increase
acid reflux. But a tiny bit of lemon in some warm water and a little bit of honey is a
great little elixir to help soothe the vocal cords.
MBADC: What about dairy?
DA: Dairy is generally believed to increase mucus within the throat, but
it doesn’t happen with everybody. A lot of people have very, very mild milk allergies
that will increase the amount of phlegm they have in the throat. But each performer can
try it; if they take it and there’s no problem, there’s not going to be an
issue. If they drink milk and they feel a little more mucus in their throat when
they’re done, then obviously they should avoid it.
MBADC: What about nuts?
DA: Same thing, very mild nut allergies, and if they have a lot of oils
in them, that can increase acid reflux too. Overall, especially if someone’s a
vegetarian, having nuts in their diet is a very reasonable thing to do. Effects of Smoke & Stage Smoke or Fog Machines on the Voice
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