Is lemon good for your voice? Yes, as lemon has a high source of vitamin C to help fight infection and, like honey, contains calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Lemons contain citric acid which helps to break down the mucus in your throat and also helps to relieve you of throat inflammations.
This makes it harder for your vocal folds to recover. Meanwhile, lemons are natural mucolytics, which means that they produce plenty of thin mucus that helps you develop a natural, beautiful, singing voice.
Losing our voice isn't an exception. Websites abound with proposed solutions including ginger, lemon, salt water gargles, and tea with honey. However, put simply, there's no evidence these home remedies work to recover a lost voice.
Drinking honey or tea, or gargling salt water or apple cider vinegar can definitely be soothing for your throat, but they aren't washing off the vocal cords. If you do use cough drops, we recommend using glycerin-based products and to avoid menthol. Prolonged use of menthol can further irritate your throat.
Drink lots of water, preferably room temperature--as cold water tends to "freeze" the vocal cords, lessening your ability to sing--with lemon in it, to cut through phlegm in your throat. Also you may want to try drinking hot tea with lemon or honey; this usually has the same effect.
The best drinks before singing are warm drinks without caffeine or milk, warm water and herbal teas containing manuka honey, lemon and ginger are ideal. Warm or room-temperature water will hydrate your vocal cords, making them more supple and less liable to injury.
Best drink for singing voice
Drinking water at room temperature is the best possible drink you can have as a singer. Cold drinks or beverages with ice will shock your vocal cords, causing them to tense up. Hot drinks are just as risky before a performance, as they can inflame your vocal cords.
Honey can help singers recover quicker from strained, sore, and lost voices. But honey isn't just effective when you're ill; it can be used to prevent vocal problems too. Its thick, smooth consistency coats and lubricates the throat, providing relief to your vocal cords and voice after a strenuous performance.
Foods to avoid include foods with high fat content, like fried or greasy foods, eggs, butter and other dairy products; and acidic meals like spicy foods, peppers, concentrated tomato dishes, vinegar, and citrus fruits. It's almost impossible to sing well while burping.
Not only can lemon water help to relieve sore throats with hydration and lemons' natural soothing properties, but it can also help to keep you cool when you chill it beforehand. Chilled lemon water is also a great beverage for the summer!
Cold water can shock the vocal cords and create tension which limits your vocal range and ability. But, hot water can cause inflammation and increase mucus production. Stick to room-temperature water which enables flexibility in your cords.
Fruits containing large amounts of water are excellent hydration-conscious snacks, including apples, pears, watermelon, peaches, melons, grapes, blueberries, oranges, pineapples, plums and raspberries. These fruits are a good source of water that helps to keep lubricated the vocal cords.
Maintain adequate laryngeal hydration. Consume one-half of your body weight in ounces of water daily. Consume warm, non-caffeinated liquids during extended periods of voice use. Use non-menthol or non-eucalyptus lozenges especially if liquid intake is difficult.
The creamy texture of bananas can produce extra mucus and coat your throat, which leads to unclear vocals. The thickness of a banana will inhibit your singing ability and are best to be avoided right before your performance. Eating a banana is essentially the same as eating dairy before singing, both are bad news.
Avoid using the extremes of your vocal range, such as screaming or whispering. Talking too loudly and too softly can both stress your voice. Practice good breathing techniques when singing or talking. Support your voice with deep breaths from the chest, and don't rely on your throat alone.
Milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy
It's a big no-no before your show. In many cases, it causes acid reflux that can creep up your esophagus and burn your vocal cords. In all cases, it tends to cling to everything in your throat, thickening the mucus that's already present.
Some experts believe ice-cold water can constrict those muscles, preventing them from achieving optimal movement. Many singers prefer room temperature or warm water to maximize both hydration and muscle movement — especially around performance time.
Is ginger good for the voice? Ginger has warming properties and increases blood flow. It is also anti-inflammatory and it's full of antioxidants and has no caffeine making it one of the best things to eat before singing.
Alongside lemon and honey, these can help to soothe your vocal cords and could lead to improved singing performance. Tea can dehydrate you and lead to mood crashes, due to the caffeine content. But there are many teas which boost your immune system and coat your throat to leave you less susceptible to colds.
Take Steamy Shower
Steam can be a huge comfort for your vocal cords during the dry season. You're prone to having a dry mouth and bad sinus infections during the winter, so a healthy amount of moisture can do wonders. Drinking liquids only moisturizes your vocal system so much.
Swallowing water sends it down the other tube, the esophagus, into your stomach. Drinking plenty of water does make sure that the cells inside the voice box are nourished and resilient. If the body as a whole is dehydrated, the vocal folds get tired faster, and they recover more slowly from heavy use.
To clear your voice, drinking water for the 2 hours before you sing can help hydrate and lubricate your vocal cords. The lubrication from the water will help prevent irritation so that your voice is performance ready. Drink only room temperature water before you sing.