About this video

• Video Title: ALIMENTOS PARA EL CANTANTE | CUIDADO DE LA VOZ PROFESIONAL | UN PROFESIONAL DE LA VOZ NO DEBE COMER
• Channel: Shenny López
• Speakers: Shenny López
• Duration: 13:25

Overview

This video provides guidance for singers and professional voice users on which foods to limit or avoid, especially before performances, to maintain vocal health. It explains the anatomy relevant to eating and breathing, clarifying why certain foods can negatively impact the voice, primarily through indirect effects like reflux or dehydration.

Key takeaways

• Vocal Anatomy and Digestion: The esophagus carries food to the stomach, separate from the trachea which carries air to the lungs. The epiglottis covers the airway during swallowing, preventing food from directly contacting the vocal cords.
• Reflux as a Vocal Enemy: Gastric issues like reflux can cause acidic vapors to irritate the larynx and vocal cords, negatively impacting voice quality.
• Foods to Limit Before Performances:
  • Spicy/Highly Seasoned Foods: Can cause stomach irritation, leading to reflux.
  • Greasy Foods/Fritters: Slow digestion and can produce vapors that irritate the vocal cords.
  • Excess Caffeine: Acts as a diuretic, causing dehydration which is detrimental to vocal cords.
  • Alcohol: Also dehydrating and can cause gastric distress.
  • Chocolate: May trigger reflux in sensitive individuals and potentially increase phlegm production.
  • Citrus/Acidic Foods: Can cause irritation in the stomach and throat for some individuals.
  • Mint: Can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, potentially leading to reflux.
  • Extremely Cold/Hot Foods/Drinks: Can cause muscular reactions in the laryngeal area.
  • Crunchy/Dry Foods: May cause irritation due to dust-like particles.
  • Carbonated Drinks: Produce gas, causing discomfort during vocal use, and some (like cola) can be dehydrating.
  • Dairy Products: While not directly touching vocal cords, they can increase phlegm production in some people.
• Individual Sensitivity: Responses to certain foods vary greatly among singers, emphasizing the importance of personal experimentation to identify what works best for one's voice.
• Hydration is Key: Maintaining adequate hydration is crucial for vocal performance and overall vocal health.
• Rest is Important: Proper rest contributes to vocal health, alongside diet and hydration.

The closest topics mentioned in relation to food and their impact on the voice are:

• Spicy/Highly Seasoned Foods: These are mentioned as a category of food to avoid.
• Greasy Foods/Fritters: Also listed as foods to avoid.
• Crunchy or very dry foods that produce dust: These are mentioned as potentially causing irritation.
• Dairy products: Discussed in relation to phlegm production.
• Citrus and acidic foods: Mentioned as potentially causing irritation.

While "flour" itself isn't named, these categories cover food items that would typically be made with or contain flour.

The video primarily focuses on foods to avoid before performances and discusses the negative impacts certain foods can have. However, it does implicitly mention beneficial practices:

• Hydration: The speaker repeatedly emphasizes that staying hydrated is crucial for vocal health and performance. While not a food, it's a vital intake for the voice.
• Chamomile Tea: The speaker suggests that chamomile tea is a better alternative to mint tea for singers, implying it is more beneficial or less likely to cause negative reactions like reflux.

The overall message is that singers should experiment to find what personally benefits their voice, but the direct recommendations for beneficial foods are limited to these points.