Are There Foods to Eliminate Excess Saliva?

Various conditions from sinus infections and heartburn to allergies and tonsillitis cause your body to make too much saliva. Ask your doctor about steps to take to reduce excess saliva until the underlying condition is under control. Some people find eating certain foods while avoiding others helps manage excess saliva. Dietary changes alone are likely not enough if you have a more serious underlying issue.

Use food to combat excess saliva. (Image: Thinkstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

Nix the Sugar

It's best to avoid or limit foods rich in sugar when you have issues with excess saliva. Sugary foods may increase your body's saliva production, according to MedlinePlus. Sugar-sweetened beverages, candies, baked goods and dairy desserts like ice cream represent some of the major sources of sugar in the typical diet. Eating a diet rich in these foods has other health implications like weight gain and an increased risk of insulin resistance. Take steps to eliminate these foods if you find yourself eating them often.

Temporarily Eliminate Sour Foods

Sour foods significantly stimulate saliva production, and avoiding them may help control the problem, according to the ALS Association. Citrus fruits like lime, lemon and grapefruit have a particularly tart taste. If you're used to eating these, replace them with less bitter fruits like ripe oranges, peaches and ripe plums. Other tart foods include fermented vegetables like sauerkraut, Greek yogurt, foods containing vinegar and tamarind. Add these otherwise nutritious foods back into your diet once the underlying condition is treated.

Boost Fiber Intake

Most fiber-rich foods contain a mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber. The soluble type dissolves in water, and boosting your intake of it may help reduce excess saliva, writes Janet Maccaro in the book "Natural Health Remedies." You may have even noticed that your mouth feels dry after eating bread. Increase your intake of whole-grain breads, whole oats, beans and lentils to get more soluble fiber in your diet. Fiber supports digestive health and may promote healthy blood sugar and cholesterol.

Salted Nuts

If you've ever eaten salted nuts, you likely noticed your mouth felt dry afterward. This is because the salt on the nuts absorbs fluid. Nuts contain beneficial fat, vitamins and minerals that are good for you. Unless you're on a restricted sodium diet, snacking on salted nuts helps manage excess saliva, according to Maccaro. Too much sodium isn't good for you, so moderation is key. A few salted nuts as a snack may go a long way.