Ice Cream and Sinus Infections: The Link to Artificial Flavorings

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Posted by Seth Taylor (Philomath, Oregon, Usa) on 05/22/2010

For the last couple of years, I have taken ACV religiously, after reading here on EC how well it worked at preventing and even curing sinus infections. I had been sinus infection free after taking ACV regularly. I was thinking my sinus problems were over ... then this week, to my surprise, I got a horrible, painful sinus infection. Then I recalled eating some ice cream a few days earlier ... now, I've eaten ice cream occasionally off and on over the last couple of years too, but have only had the major brands that don't contain corn syrup (usually the sucralose sweetened variety) with no major effects. This time however, I mistakenly had one with corn syrup. It burned my throat, but I didn't think much of it ... only when I was finishing off the box did I read the ingredients and saw corn syrup was listed. I took extra ACV, but to no avail ... after 4 horrid near sleepless nights, painful, bleeding sinuses, etc, (felt like I was dinner, and my body didn't care ... immune system on strike?) and loath to seek antibiotics, I went looking for information. I knew about ACV, but what else was I missing? After reading Ted's remedies, I thought that perhaps my pH had dropped, since I had not been eating as well as of late due to just moving (the day I started eating the ice cream) ... so, I took about 1 tsp of baking soda sweetened with 2 tsp xylitol in a cup of water. WOW! With in 1/2 hour, my sinus pain was going away! Then my mucus color lightened ... after getting a few more hours of much needed sleep, I am feeling almost normal. I still cough and have some stuffiness, pressure, and drainage, but the pain and bleeding are gone. THANK YOU EC and TED! (I like the fizzy ACV and baking soda: 1/2 C water, 1 tbsp ACV 1/4 tsp baking soda 4 drops of liquid stevia extract.)

Now, I read about the artificial flavors added to some ice creams, and I don't eat any that have these listed ... there may have been something not listed in the one I ate. However, as mentioned on EC about the history of this sinus problem and ice cream, it started in the late 1990s or so. This is when I stopped eating ANY corn, as it started to make me ill. At the time, I chalked it up to food sensitivities ... well, guess what? Something changed in corn during the 1990s. GMO. Today, about 60% of all corn is genetically modified with Bt protein, a naturally occurring pesticide. I don't know how much is in the seed, or how much makes it into the resulting corn syrup, but it could be that there is enough that some people are affected. So, the causative ingredient may very well be listed ... we just don't see if for what it is. (Or, I'm just sensitive to corn.)

Bottom line, keep the body's pH up and stay away from things we find cause harm. Then the body can do its job and be well.

Regards,
Seth Taylor

EC: Great theory, thanks Seth!

Replied by Tom
(Regina, Sk)
05/23/2010

Seth:

Great post, but there's additional crucial information to add to your list of weeded out food 'flavors'. It's the sweetener you use, sucralose!

Here is the basic horror story about it:

http://www.wnho.net/splenda_chlorocarbon.htm

"Splenda/sucralose is simply chlorinated sugar; a chlorocarbon. Common chlorocarbons include carbon tetrachloride, trichlorethelene and methylene chloride, all deadly. Chlorine is nature's Doberman attack dog, a highly excitable, ferocious atomic element employed as a biocide in bleach, disinfectants, insecticide, WWI poison gas and hydrochloric acid.

"Sucralose is a molecule of sugar chemically manipulated to surrender three hydroxyl groups (hydrogen oxygen) and replace them with three chlorine atoms. Natural sugar is a hydrocarbon built around 12 carbon atoms. When turned into Splenda it becomes a chlorocarbon, in the family of Chlorodane, Lindane and DDT.

"It is logical to ask why table salt, which also contains chlorine, is safe while Splenda/sucralose is toxic? Because salt isn't a chlorocarbon. When molecular chemistry binds sodium to chlorine to make salt carbon isn't included. Sucralose and salt are as different as oil and water.
.....................................

Dr. Bowen continues: "Just like aspartame, which achieved marketplace approval by the Food and Drug Administration when animal studies clearly demonstrated its toxicity, sucralose also failed in clinical trials with animals. Aspartame created brain tumors in rats. Sucralose has been found to shrink thymus glands (the biological seat of immunity) and produce liver inflammation in rats and mice.
............................................

For more information on aspartame and Splenda click on the Aspartame Information List on http://www.wnho.net. Dr. Bowen can be seen in the movie "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World." For the movie call 1-818-349-8822 or email [email protected] See how aspartame was approved by clicking on http://www.soundandfury.tv/pages/Rumsfeld2.html and visit http://www.wnho.net/sweet_misery_movie.htm for more information on the movie

Replied by Jsp241980
(Philadelphia, Pa, Us)
08/19/2010

I have had this problem for a while. Not only ice-cream, but anything that is sweet. If I have cookies, candy/chocolate & etc. & that was the last thing I ate before going to bed, I develop sinus the next day. I have gotten into a habbit of eating something spicy (eg. Hot chips) & goto bed if I do so. It doesn't happen to anyone I know, therefore I guess its very limited to few of us.

Replied by Lynne
(Portland, Or)
09/16/2010

Is this an allergy to artificial flavoring, artificial vanilla, or corn syrup? I read this information a couple of weeks ago and the ACV has been very helpful. I thought that perhaps my sinus flare up, which coincided with my period (sorry men), were somehow related but, could just be that I eat worse during this time. Anyway, I have put the ice cream to the test... One scoop of DQ cone with vanilla softserve ice cream caused my normal sinuses to violently react about 6 hours later. I had a completely stuffy nose but lots of mucous when I blow my nose, sinus pressure, and asthma. The same thing happened when I ate a Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwich, and also when I have had a McDonald's Sundae. All symptoms came raging back 6 hours to 12 hours later. It would be nice to know the specific ingredient to avoid.

Replied by Lisa
(Lafayette, La)
09/17/2010

Avoid dairy. Dairy causes thick mucus to form in the body.

Replied by Reina
(New York, Ny)
09/19/2010

Stop eating dairy, a mucusless diet is the only way to rid yourself of sinus and many other issues..... Hope this helps


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Lucysnowe (San Diego, Ca) on 05/13/2010

sinus infection/ice cream connection

I found this site looking for natural sinus infection cures. Something definitely rings true with the ice cream connection. My family went to Baskin-Robbins for their .31 cent scoop night. We never go there, for lots of reasons but, decided it would be a rare treat. This was April 28th. I of course didn't make the connection when I got really sick after. Sinus infection and bronchitis (likely caused by sinusitis)that was treated with antibiotics. The bronchitis seems to have gone, but sinuses not even touched by the drugs. I just tried the ACV treatment and an hour later...WOW! I want to cry. It's been bad these past few years...if this works as good as it seems to, I feel hope! I am breathing through my nose. It's almost shocking how much oxygen I feel like I'm finally getting. It's interesting that the rest of the family didn't get sick like me, but they were super tired for days after. Interesting stuff!


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Fountainflower (Chicago, Il, 60302) on 03/26/2010

This is feedback for the page regarding Ice Cream and flu.

I found this website when looking for a natural cure for sinus infections. I'm going to try to ACV and will post results.

However, we noticed that IMMEDIATELY after I had eaten a heavily flavoured ice cream from the store, I became suddenly ragingly ill. I developed an overnight sinus infection and seem to have the flu as well. I have eaten this brand of ice cream before, as they advertise 1/2 the fat and 1/2 the sugar in this type and it seemed safe in the past to have a little every once in a while. I can be lactose intolerant to a small degree, so ice cream is a rare treat. This time, it was on a giveaway type of sale that seemed odd to us, they were giving away 2 large containers if you bought one. I tried a mint chocolate chip where they make the ice cream green, I've never eaten that kind before, I bought it for someone else to enjoy and just sampled it for fun. I felt bad within 2 hours of eating it. I already have a serious illness to deal with, and now I am so sick I can hardly move, I'm wheezing, fever, sinuses are so infected, and my ears are totally blocked. I already had pain in my skull previously so not sure if that is a symptom also. Just wanted to add to this page, I'm a little concerned that children are eating this stuff and getting so sick, that's very alarming, where's Michael Moore on this one :).

Replied by Momsvoice
(Monmouth, Nj)
03/30/2010

I am allergic to Sulfates and Sulfites. I am guaranteed a migraine and/or sinus infection after eating either or. I just learned at the source below that the crystalization process for icecream includes Calcium Sulfate. It depends how bad with how much is ingested. I had Chicken Marsala, that had intense wine flavor, and coconut ice cream. I have had a rough time with a sinus, upper respiratory, and eyes tearing for 3 days now. Im starting to understand how many foods I need to avoid.

http://www.foodsci.uoguelph.ca/dairyedu/icingr.html

Citrate and phosphate ions decrease tendency for fat coalescence (Sodium citrate, Disodium Phosphate). They prevent churning in soft ice cream for example, producing a wetter product. These salts decrease the degree of protein aggregation. Calcium and magnesium ions have the opposite effect, promote partial coalescence. Calcium sulfate, for example, results in a drier ice cream. Calcium and Magnesium increase the degree of protein aggregation.
Salts may also influence electrostatic interactions. Fat globules carry a small net negative charge, these ions could increase or decrease that charge as they were attracted to or repelled from surface.

Replied by 1980z28
(Allen, Tx)
04/14/2010

There is definitely something to this! I haven't had a sinus infection in years, since I started eating nothing but organic foods. I ordered a small milkshake from the golden arches for my daughter. When she was done, I had the last 1/8th of it. She didn't get sick, but less than 24 hours later, I had a massive sinus infection. No more milkshakes!!

P.S. I love you guys at Earth Clinic! The ACV with water has almost kicked it.
Thank you so much

Replied by Nancy
(Mesa, Az)
03/11/2015

So my son in law loves Yogutland and loves to take me there when I go visit them. Will this on the same category of a Burger King? :(


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Selena (Chula, Ga, Usa) on 03/22/2010

I have been a fan of this site for a while and last night was the first time I have seen this info on the connection between certain ice cream and sinus infections. Yesterday (Sunday) my 15 year old son started getting a sinus headache. He has been having some allergy issues for the last week or so because of all the heavy pollen. By evening time last night he was in a lot of pain with severe sinus pressure in his head and chest and throat pain from a frequent dry nonproductive cough. He was also having chills and running fever by late last night. I came here to look first (as I always do) for a home remedy for sinus infections. After reading this I immediately went to ask him if he had eaten any type of ice cream or milk shakes in the past few days. He said that Friday after school he had a milk shake from Wendy's. Hmmm. Interesting (48 hours later he has a sinus infection). Thanks for the info. Great Job again Earth Clinic.


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Lynn (St. Petersburg, Florida) on 01/10/2010

Having just finished an antibiotic for sinus infection, I was prompted to comment. I think I have had an infection for a long time, and it raises it's ugly head when I eat ice cream, milk, cheese or food with dairy in it. When I get these responses, usually within two hours, I get a feverish face, pain in the sinuses, post nasal drip and an overall ill feeling. The doctor called it an allergy, but I think many of us, like me, have a low-grade infection all the time, but don't notice it much until we eat dairy. I know that there are antibiotics given to cows that are a product of the genetically modified group of antibiotics. When we drink cows milk we are consuming these genetically modified products. These have been shown to cause allergic reactions in many people. I haven't found a satisfactory substitute for milk and I've tried most products. Using half/half Horizons Organic Milk in my morning coffee (and no milk for the rest of the day) still has some reaction but again, I have an underlying infection. I am taking grapefruit seed extract tabs for it since the antibiotic didn't work well. Willard Water (diluted) also helps in a spray bottle to dissolve the mucus. But our sinuses are complicated, and it takes awhile I think to clear all the infection out once we do have one. So, my point is that many of us are over-reactive due to the underlying infection and the GMO is not helping, for sure. I wish they would ban GMO's. Also, the cheaper ice creams have derivatives of seaweed in them, the guar gum, the carageenan and some others for thickeners and I never can eat that stuff. Plus stuff no one heard of. Just my few cents worth of opinion here.


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Angie (Hambleton, Wv) on 12/30/2009

I have been a fan of this site for a long time, but this is the first time I have looked up "sinus infection". I will have to concur on the ice cream connection. I got a cold 6 days ago and it was beginning to subside UNTIL I had a Dairy Queen Mocha Moolata on day 5. I now have took a turn for the worse and have a sinus infection.

Replied by Janet
(Louisville, Co, Usa)
12/30/2009

Despite what the American Dairy Council says, milk products absolutely cause the production of mucus and should be avoided if you have a cold, sinus infection asthma etc. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, cow's milk is the number one-cause of food allergies in children. In addition, milk allergies can develop in adults. In a study conducted at the New York University School of Medicine, people with asthma experienced a decrease in lung function after drinking whole milk.

To many people with lactose intolerance, a couple of glasses of milk will wreak havoc on their digestive systems. Milk may alter the effects of some drugs by interfering with their absorption and elimination. Milk decreases the absorption of iron into the body.

Think Soy milk and calcium supplements!

Replied by Marcus
(Chanler, Az)
08/20/2011

I agree with most that you said about dairy, but definitely not about soy milk and calcium suppliments. I have read that gluten sensitivity is #1 and casein (another milk protein other than whey) is molecularly similar to gluten, and may have a cross-reactive response in some individuals due to its similar structure. Soy has many problems even if not organic/non-GM. Most people do not need additional calcium, but they are lacking other minerals that help with its absorbtion. Soft tissue calcification may be exacerbated with excessive supplementation of calcium for someone who is prone to it.

Replied by Vee
(Ft. Hood, Tx)
12/29/2012

I was babysitting my niece and had a craving for some strawberry ice cream. We went to the store and bought some generic ice cream with the Neopolitan flavor. About 4 hours later I am having trouble with my sinuses & throat and keep clearing them. I am getting the feeling like I am coming down with a sinus infection. Is this connected to the discussions regarding this topic? I'm not sure, but this is very weird. I'm going to do a sinus rinse to see if this clears up. Thanks for the help Earthclinic!


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Wanda (Florissant, Mo) on 12/24/2009

I am so happy to have reached this site. I am a longtime sinus sufferer and because I suffer so often and it has caused me to be so sleepy that its disrupting my life. I sleep too much. So I decided to check the web for anykind of relief. I stumbled upon this site and immediately realized one of the culprits. The other day, I had an icecream cone from Baskin Robbins. No sinus trouble that day before the icecream cone. Literally the next day my nose was so stopped up I couldnt breathe out of no where I had sinus trouble stopped up nose and acheness. I drank apple cider vinegar and used steam, almost immediately or within hours everything subsided. So while I was surfing the web today I was eating a bowl of icecream when I came upon this site. I am definately going to see if my symptons come back tomorrow night. and will be glad to tell you. - but thank you for this information. If I find the icecream is linked to my symptoms I am going to cut it completely from my diet. unless it is organic if such a thing. thanks again. your information is valuable for those of us suffering constantly.

Replied by Phil
(Dearing, Ga)
12/26/2009

This is interesting that so many people are reporting sinus issues,that are associated with ice cream. My father insist on eating ice cream anytime he has a flare up of hay fever, sinuses or the common cold. He says it really helps him and makes him feel better.

So, I DO NOT say all these people are wrong, But I only report what my father has told me.

I had told him one night, that I had read that ice cream makes these condition worse ( I can not remember what he had that night ) But he said OH NO! Ice cream has always helped ease his symptoms.

I guess one thing in the NATURAL REMEDY world is that we can agree that everybody is different, MEDICAL DOCTORS on the other hand say NON-SENSE every human body is the same.

Just a SIDE NOTE... My grand father lived to be 80 something years old and he ate baking soda by the palmful...Yea, I know the box says always mix with water, but he just poured in his palm and then into his mouth. It wasn't until he was put in a nursing home and had NO ACCESS to baking soda, one year later he was sick and died.

My wife's grandfather, I have been told TOOK A DAILY DOSE of EPSON SALT, and Lived to be I believe 93 years old, He was 90 something anyway. Again, because of a FALL, in the nursing home he went and soon passed away.

I just though that was interesting and I would report it.


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Tiffany747 (Simi Valley, Ca) on 10/29/2009

i had a cold for about a week and felt like i was beating it up until about two days ago my sinuses felt all swollen. i thought it was maybe because of the super windy day we just had. until i stumbled across this theory...i bought dreyers icecream 3 days ago and have been eating it everday. i started to feel run down again, and the sinuses bugging me again (pressure, itchy, tingling) flushed my nose with salt water this morn and noticed it was almost neon yellow! sorry..kinda gross i know...but that struck me as odd so on-line i go to do some research and well how bizzare! i'm chucking that dreyers and never buying it again! if we buy icecream its usually haggen daas or ben jerry's and never had a problem. guess ill keep flushing with salt water and drinking apple cider vinegar. ok...strong reminder of all the chemis and crap in convience food and why i should avoid at all costs.


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Heather (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) on 10/05/2009

ICE CREAM and Flu and Sinus Symptoms

I cannot believe this. My 5 yr old daughter had a LARGE pink ice cream treat during a long car ride home. Well, a few hours later, at about 3:00am, she was throwing up all pink from the ice cream. She was fevered and ended up throwing up once more that night. Her fever remained for more than a day. Now, she has been fighting this lingering bullcrap sinus/upper respiratory thing that just doesn't want to go away. She is now on antibiotics (of course-what else is new?) and she still has the sinus problems. I came onto the web to search for natural remedies for her and I stumbled upon this UNBELIEVABLE info on your site regarding ice cream and flu symptoms. I would NEVER, EVER have thought it would cause flu symptoms- I always knew it causes mucous- but had no clue about the fever, etc. Unbelievable to me. This site is amazing and I thank you soooo much for bringing this ice cream problem to my attention. Unreal.

Replied by Dora
(Simi Valley, Ca)
10/06/2009

Hi Heather, Thanks to this wonderful site, I found another. Go to knowthecause.com, and you'll get a lot of info on what causes various diseases, including respiratory ones. Between earthclinic and know the cause, I have solved a lot of my family issues. Still working on them.


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Cindy (Kansas, USA) on 12/06/2008

Hi again! I've been thinking about fibromyalgia and fluoride and I'm wondering if the ice cream/sinus infection thing is related.

Could both problems be caused by the known chemical reaction between fluoride and dairy? Some ice cream must be processed with fluoridated water problems. And the best selling brands are probably processed at more than one plant. Perhaps some are on fluoridated waterlines and some aren't...

This might explain the hit and miss aspect of both problems i.e. why some get fibromyalgia and/or sinus infections and some don't.

Calcium reduces the amount of fluoride that is absorbed by the body but dairy products are contra-indicated for fibromyalgia sufferers. So, where are they getting their calcium? What about blackstrap molasses? Non-dairy PLUS lots of calcium.

I also found that activated charcoal won't bind fluoride but DE (diatomaceous earth) does.

This all seems garbled but I'm going to send it anyway. Could be important.

EC: Thanks, Cindy -- very interesting theory!


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Kim (Louisville, KY) on 11/14/2008

I also noticed the last two years I started getting sick right after eating ice cream. I never used to get them before when I ate ice cream, so what in this ice cream is causing this? Why isn't the ice cream companies doing anything about it? They are going to loose a lot of customers if something isn't done. Anyone have any remedies, or ice cream that does not cause this?

EC: It really depends on the brand. We've had absolutely no problems with Starbucks, Ben & Jerry's, and organic brands of ice cream.


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by ZTeee (Sydney, New South Wales) on 11/08/2008

Could this possibly happen with pizza? I had a pizza two days ago. Hours later I felt like I had the flu. Blocked sinuses, feverish and feeling rotten. Today I (56 y/o) didn't link it to the pizza because I try to eat healthy as much as I can until my son (36 y/o) called today I told him how I was feeling. He immediately told me that he has been fighting off this sinus infection ever since a Pizza, from a totally different place, same symptoms as mine. Could this be happening with other types of fast foods?

By the way I got some relief washing out my sinuses with a plastic bottle (a la neti pot) with some bicarb and sea salt, which I learned from this wonderful site.

Replied by Fountainflower
(Chicago, Il, 60302)
03/26/2010

My household just had this same problem, we had pizza and ice cream as a special 'blue moon' night of indulgence as we're moving and the kitchen is packed.

I have asked my doctor, and the nurse said everyone is catching a flu, that something is going around the city right now. We got pizza out, and often workers in restaurants won't call in sick and don't wash their hands or cover their faces properly. So when something is making the rounds, eating out can increase your risk of catching something. We usually don't order take out when this is the case, we just had no idea that a flu or cold was making its way round town!


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Tabby (Wathena, Kansas) on 10/29/2008

My husband and I were craving ice cream and decided to go to the Dairy Queen. I had already read about this sinus infection connection with ice cream. As we were going through the drive -thru I decided to test this theory. It had been a really long time since having ice cream so I thought I'd see if it was a contributor to my chronic sinus troubles.

I had a Mocha Moolatte. About 2 hours later I began having pain in my frontal sinuses and the back of my neck. I started to feel a sensation of fatigue.

About 6 hours later my sinus passages felt swollen and the mucus had turned into thick sludge.

About an hour after the congestion started, body aches and pains began. In my arms, legs, feet, etc. Then came chills. I was certain I had a fever going, so I took my temp and it was 98.1 degrees, normal. I began having sensations of feeling cold, then warm, and back to cold again, while the aches in my body continued to worsen.

I no longer have my doubts about this theory now, as I can sincerely vouch for the fact that I'm ill and cold as I type this.

Here's what I've done to try and counter my trouble: 1/4 cup diluted in 8oz of water. 1 (concentrated) cranberry tablet to offset any possible UTI from the sugary dairy. 3 Advil for the pain. 1 Maximum strength Mucinex to thin down this congestion. 1 drop tea tree oil in pure water in a spray bottle, 1 spray up each nostril to open the nasal passages quickly.

It took about an hour for the Mucinex and Tea Tree nasal spray to make a difference. My head hurts less, but the chills and flu feelings are hanging on.


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Gloria (San Antonio, Texas) on 10/29/2008

I had discovered in my adult years that food allergies can trigger sinus infections. for me at one point it was citrus, but in my later years was still plagued with sinus infections 3 to 5 times a year. A year ago, I read a similar article on ice cream and sinus infections, and decided to stop eating ice cream. I have only had 1 sinus infection this past year. I do believe this theory is true.


Ice Cream and Sinus Infections Reader Feedback
Posted by Keith Mccormick (Wimborne, Dorset, UK) on 09/30/2008

Amazing article re ice-cream & sinus infection - I love ice cream, and have just had a bad cold followed by bad sinus infection!! No more ice cream!!! Many Thanks, Keith McCormick



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