The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Tyler (Sherman Oaks, CA) on 01/13/2007
I have been battling a sinus infection all week that is also accompanied by a sort of flu which has mostly receded. I found it interesting to note that, the day before i was taken ill i had indulged in a very sugary frozen yogurt, something i never usually eat. if i find a remedy(I'm allergic to antibiotics) ill let you know. thanks.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Steve (WY) on 02/10/2006
I just started taking Airborne effervescent as a cold preventative yesterday. Had no congestion before I took the first one, but within an hour, I was congested! One of the ingredients - yep, sorbitol. I took it once more and then stopped and the congestion went away after about 6 hours. I bet that's the ingredient causing the infections. Suppose some people are sensitive to it.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Pete (Sacramento, CA) on 05/30/2006
Wanted to correct an earlier posting by an individual claiming that Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream contains sorbitol. Only the sugar-free varieties contain sorbitol, not the regular stuff.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Donna (USA) on 01/11/2006
I've read that Baskin Robbins Ice Cream is loaded with sorbitol, which is a killer for me. Maybe that's what's behind all the headaches with that brand. Anything with "ol" on the end or "modified food starch" is also a sugar alcohol, same as sorbitol. I say stay away from all that stuff "tweaked"
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by John (Victoria) on 02/04/2006
Many bacteria thrive in a temperature just under our normal body temperature. That is why we get most of our respiratory infections occurring in the winter; the colder air cools the sinus passages. It is also why summer colds are so hard to get rid of, they're heat resistant. Eating ice cream could have the same effect. Some interesting studies are being done on introducing "good" bacteria (bacteria that aid us in fighting off bad bacteria) back into our sinus passages after modern medicine indiscriminately killed off all bacteria in there attempt to "cure us". Stay away from ice cream especially in cold weather, and wear a mask over your face so you retain more of your body's heat when breathing when you go out in the cold.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Laura (NYC) on 04/15/2006
Sugar in Ice Cream depresses the immune system, the infection fighting white blood cells. Milk also causes a mucous build. I always got a sinus infection after this combo!
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Linda (Tucson) on 04/24/2006
I've had chronic sinus problems my entire life. I stopped eating ice cream in 1997. (It's now 2006) So, there obviously are other causes of sinus problems besides ice cream. I also stopped all dairy for a long period of time to no avail. I think antibiotics are the cause of many sinus problems, ensuing candida/yeast infections. Ice cream does constrict the blood vessels to the sinus area, so it may simply be that regarding ice cream sinus problems.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Catrenia (Kentucky) on 05/23/2006
I think there is a true link between dairy products and sinus infections. If I consume dairy products, I get congested for nearly 3 days. If my daughter (who is 4) consumes dairy then about 2 days later she does develop a sinus infection. We now use Rice cheese, rice milk, and soy or rice ice cream in place of dairy products.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Lee (Philadelphia) on 05/27/2006
i just wanted to comment on the ice cream issue. it definitely causes sinus infections. i have suffered for years with my sinuses. as much as i love it i have vowed never to take another spoonful of the stuff. i can be ok and somewhat clear outside of my allergies and the moment i get weak and eat that vanilla i develop so much mucus as a result that i can hardly breath. take my advice don't touch it.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Laura (Covington, LA) on 11/12/2006
I wanted to tell you that I thought my family was having a mass attack of sinuses! I believe it started last weekend with the purchase of 1/2 gallon of Blue Belle ice cream We don't eat it all the time but maybe with the onset of fall it seems to have brought about a horrible round of infections for all of us! To make it worse, I bought a pint of Marsha Marsha Marshmallow by Ben & Jerry's on Monday, November 6. I ate a little bit but not much and put it in the freezer at work. On Tuesday, November 7, I ate the rest of it by late afternoon.
Now my son and I have been having chronic stuffiness for several weeks. The clogging was stuck behind my nose and would not budge and I got no relief from over the counter decongestants.
On Wednesday I started getting a headache which continued into the Thursday when I started getting a sore throat and even more stuffiness with no way to get it out. Saline spray wasn't working and still got no relief from any over the counter medications.
Friday I woke up with the worst feeling ever - I couldn't even move or function. I was literally glued to the bed with flu-like symptoms, a raging sore throat with no was to get rid of the mucous clogged up in the back of my nose. It was horrible.By Saturday I had to go to the doctor for a shot of cortisone, a prescription for antibiotics and a prescription decongestant.
So now today, Sunday, I have to take my daughter in because her throat is sore, her ear hurts and she is stuffy too. Poor thing! I was reading online about natural remedies for sinusitis and stumbled on the ice cream connection.
It totally makes sense! I will be more valiant in avoiding ice cream and switch to italian ice or some other milk-free product. Tofutti makes great soy products (and I now drink only soy milk which I think is the next step for my kids.) It seems we need to get back to more natural products and stay away from processed foods. I'm definitely putting apple cider vinegar on my shopping list today to give it a try.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Jennifer (Raleigh, NC) on 12/21/2006
Ice Cream/Sinus Connection: I have been in utter pain for the past couple of days & after just reading the ice cream/sinus theory I recalled that Sunday evening before I had the headache I had a Frostee @ Wendy's. I don't eat them very often, as I don't like chocolate ice cream, but they have vanilla now. If I hadn't been so miserable, I would might think this theory is ridiculous, but it isn't. I eat lots of dairy, but never milk, just soy milk.. keep up the good work!
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Kacey (Cburg, WI) on 01/24/2007
OMG the ice cream REALLY was true. i ate ice cream a few says ago and now i have a wicked sinus infection!!! BTW Cloves help with sore throats! thanks i LOVE this site!!!
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by KM (Louisville, Kentucky) on 02/08/2007
Oh my gosh! I am glad I came across this site. My husband thought I was crazy, but I get a sinus infection about two to three day's after eating ice cream at Dairy Queen. We have a dairy queen right by our house, and my husband eats their a lot, and doesn't seem to have any problems. For some reason I do, and I have stopped eating Dairy Queen and most ice creams because I was tired of getting sinus infections. Thank you for sharing this with the world. I don't get many sinus infections anymore because I don't eat ice cream.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Katt (Arlington, VA) on 02/18/2007
Well Boy did I come down with a doozy this year.It recently got cold and started to snow so I figured that was the reason until I came across your site.The connection between ice cream and sinus problems came up. And what do you know just the night before and a few nights before actually I had been eating ice cream,Which I never eat but my roommate brought it home. I went and got ACV. I boiled it and inhaled it. I was so stuffed up I didn't even noticed or could tell the fumes were strong.Well after about 5 min after the inhaling was complete...The only word I can use to describe this action is Hocked....I hocked up a good amount of phlegm through my throat.It was yellow and very thick .I can breath better but will still continue the treatment for the rest of the evening. Thanks for the tip.
Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Michael (Merritt Island, FL) on 02/19/2007
It's kinda like navigating a maze. Yes, I've found a connection between ice cream and currently still take milk with my coffee. Am finally making the break to Almond Milk. Likewise, I have found the yellow-brown mucous. ALthough I've been told yellow/ green is going to be infection more often. Also, find when I take most cold care products they often seem to start causing me lung funk. At first I thought your sinuses can drain to your lungs. I'm told that isn't possible, and when I take Robitussin it clogs my sinuses. Not sure what the deal is there. I have tried ACV in a shot glass but didn't do every day, and only once a day with water. No luck. Tried eating a raw onion. Nothing. I also did shots of lemon juice, cayenne, and honey. Nothing. Antibiotics actually got it to start going, but didn't get it gone... my current doc gave me a months worth of antibiotics and said if that doesn't work... CT scan. EEK. I'll up the dosage of ACV, and see if it helps. Thanks
