A health food expert has divulged an incredibly “simple, yet effective” home remedy for combating a sore throat, claiming this basic kitchen DIY mix could cut out the need to visit a pharmacy.
VitalBite (@vitalbite3) posted a TikTok video aimed at saving both time and money by skipping over-the-counter medications. According to the clip, pairing tomatoes with honey can offer a significant health boost for those battling throat irritation.
“If you take a tomato and cut it into pieces and coat it with honey you can create one of the simplest and most effective natural remedies that exist,” the health page detailed.
Those who feel their throat is so inflamed that they’re “struggling to even swallow your own saliva” should certainly give this technique a go, VitalBite urged. They said it can help to ease irritation in a matter of minutes.
Elaborating further in the video, the expert recommended slicing a raw tomato – rich in lycopene, an antioxidant known to lessen tissue inflammation.
As honey is drizzled over the tomato slices, VitalBite explained on the benefits of honey itself, stating: “Honey alone is so powerful for reducing inflammation and regenerating tissues, that its even used to treat burns.”
Additionally, addding a touch of lemon can “eliminate the viruses or bacteria” responsible for the sore throat.” VitalBite concluded: “Mix well and the recipe is ready. By combining honey and tomato, you make a mixture capable of eliminating even the strongest sore throat pain in just minutes.
“The quantity in this video is for one person – eat the pieces of tomato along with the honey and lemon juice and you’ll notice immediate relief in your throat. If the pain comes back the next day, you can repeat the remedy once more.”
Grateful for the advice, one TikTok user penned: “Thank you I will try right now. I do have a sore throat.” A second added: Thanks for sharing. I will try this out.” And a third penned: “I’ll keep this in mind.”
Others weren’t convinced though, with another person commenting from experience: “I swear to god my throat still feels the same.” So does the viral hack actually have science to back it up?
According to Healthline, honey has been celebrated since ancient times for its health and therapeutic abilities. The website states: “It has been the focus of much medical research, including a 2018 review in a scientific journal, recognising honey’s: antioxidant properties; anti-inflammatory properties; antimicrobial capacity; anticancer activity; antiviral properties; antifungal properties; and antidiabetic properties.
Regarding lycopene, meanwhile, it adds: “Research shows that lycopene’s antioxidant properties can help keep free radical levels in balance, protecting your body against some of these conditions. Tomatoes are the biggest food source, and the riper the tomato, the more lycopene it contains.”
