What Is The Best Fruit For Singers?

What you eat right before a performance can seriously affect your singing abilities. Some foods can make your voice sound better whilst some can have a negative effect. So, what about fruit? Is all fruit good for your voice or are some better than others? 

What fruits are good for your voice? The best fruit for singers will depend on whether you are performing or not. Bananas, for example, are great at making you feel full but the creamy texture can produce excess mucus. Pineapples are naturally anti-inflammatory and soothe your throat. 

If you are looking for the best fruit to snack on as a singer, then you’ve come to the right place! There’s no doubt that fruits are full of health benefits, however, that doesn’t mean that they are all great for your voice. What singers eat and drink can have a huge impact, and some fruits are certainly much better than others… 

Is fruit good or bad for singers? 

The answer is both yes and no, it really depends on what type of fruit you are eating and when. It’s fine to eat bananas in your day-to-day life but not right before a performance due to the negative side effects. However, the high levels of vitamin C in all fruits can boost your immune system and help overcome sore throats. 

List of the best fruit for singers

So, fruit can be very good for singers and it’s a great thing to regularly add to your diet. Let’s take a look at the best fruit for singers (and the worst) with our long list of recommendations for what fruits are good for the voice. 

Are apples good for your singing voice? 

If you are planning on having an apple before your performance, it’s far better to chew it than drink it. Your body will absorb all of the great vitamins. Also, there’s far less sugar content in whole fruit than in juice. You don’t want to overload on sugar before a performance as it can cause you to crash.  

Apples are a great way to get your daily fix of vitamin C which is great for singers. Your immune system, tissues and fatigue prevention will all be more effective. On top of this, apples also have a very high water content which is great for keeping your throat hydrated.  

Are apricots good for your vocals?

Apricots contain high levels of magnesium which is a great natural remedy for preventing anxiety. So, if you regularly suffer from stage fright, apricots are a fantastic way to calm your nerves and feel performance-ready!  

The fruit is also high in vitamin A which provides your body with the antioxidants it needs to repair cells and prevent any damage from free radicals. So, if you’re looking for a way to boost your confidence and protect your throat, apricots are the way to go.  

Are avocados good for singers? 

Avocado is not only super tasty and packed full of healthy omega 3’s, it is also full of healing properties that soothe the throat. The natural oils present in avocados moisturise the throat and seem to line it like a soothing balm. What’s more, the effect is almost immediate!  

If your throat is feeling dry or scratchy, avocado really is a great healthy way to soothe it.

Are bananas bad for singers? 

Bananas are great for your health, they boost your serotonin levels and keep you feeling fuller for longer. However, they aren’t the best choice of fruit for singers before a show. Whilst they maintain blood sugar levels, which is exactly what you want before a performance, they can be detrimental to your singing voice.  

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. 

Are berries good for your vocals? 

Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are all anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants will repair your cells and prevent infection. It’s great to eat anti-inflammatory foods as they won’t affect your vocal cords negatively.  

Berries, therefore, are the perfect easy snack to consume right before your performance. Your vocal cords will be both protected and hydrated.  

Is coconut good for your vocals? 

Coconut boosts your energy and mood, keeping you fuller for longer. This is a pretty good position to be in right before a performance and your body will thank you for it. Even better, coconut can fight viruses which are definitely something you don’t want, as illness can wreak havoc on your vocal cords.  

Coconut oil is also very soothing for the throat. If you are looking for a drink, coconut water can be extremely beneficial too. Yes, it could be debated that coconut is a seed but we still felt that it deserved a mention! 

Is cucumber good for your singing voice? 

Instead of getting into the age-old debate as to whether cucumber is a fruit or vegetable, let’s discuss why it’s so great for singers. Cucumber is almost completely water and so is the perfect thing to keep those vocal cords running smoothly. 

On top of this, singers are encouraged to eat an alkaline diet on the day of a performance. Too much acidity can damage the health of our vocal cords and lead to poor performance. Thankfully, cucumber has a PH of over 7 which makes it very alkaline. 

Are grapes good for your voice? 

Grapes are both high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, two of the best things you want before a performance! On top of this, grapes are incredibly hydrating which will help your vocal cords to vibrate freely when singing.  

Grapes are a great thing to have with you when performing, they are easy to eat and don’t produce any mess. 

Are lemons good for singers? 

Citrus fruits can have a very drying effect on your throat which isn’t what you want before signing. However, the combination of lemon and honey has been praised as a cure-all for singers’ vocals. It’s a great way to soothe and hydrate your voice in the run-up to a performance.  

Furthermore, lemon is a natural disinfectant that can get rid of toxins in your body. This is a fantastic way to keep your voice strong and healthy. While citric acid can be drying, it also can break down any mucus build-up in your throat. Therefore, you need to work out whether lemon helps your voice or not.  

Try lemon and warm water before singing and see if it helps your vocal cords. Everyone is different and it might just be your miracle cure! 

Is mango good for singers? 

Mangos are not only delicious but they are also very high in vitamin C which boosts your immune system and helps you to fight disease. So, it’s great to have leading up to a performance to either prevent disease or overcome an illness. It’s also great to eat on the day to prevent your vocal cords from any strain.  

Mango is also packed full of vitamin A which helps keep your mucus membranes healthy. This is ideal for singers as you don’t want to be producing any excess mucous when performing. 

Are olives good for your vocal cords? 

Olives are probably one of the last things you would think about before singing but they can be very beneficial for your vocals. Olives contain the perfect amount of both salt and olive oil. This can be a great way to keep moisture in your vocal cords.  

Some people suggest mixing water and olive oil to keep their throats moist. It’s a great way to coat your throat but it isn’t necessarily that palatable. However, if you are performing live, most bars will have whole olives readily available which should do the trick! 

Are oranges bad for your singing voice? 

Oranges are packed full of vitamin C which will boost your immune system and aid tissue repair. If you sing a lot, your vocal cords can certainly get strained so vitamin C certainly is something you want a lot of. 

However, oranges are very acidic which can cause excess gas and disrupt your performance. So, it’s a good idea to have oranges in your daily life to boost your immune system. However, it’s best to avoid eating them right before a live performance. 

Are peaches good for your singing voice? 

Peaches have very high levels of water. This makes them a great snack to indulge in an hour or so before your performance. As a singer, your vocal cords vibrate very fast and are put under a lot of strain. Therefore, you really want to make sure that they are appropriately hydrated to perform to the best of your ability.  

As peaches are yellow, they are also very high in vitamin A, much like mangoes. So, keep that mucus in check and eat a peach! 

Is pineapple good for your vocal cords? 

Pineapple is a great anti-inflammatory that will soothe your vocal cords and prevent them from becoming strained. On top of this, pineapple cuts through any mucus build-up in your throat, keeping your voice sounding both clear and strong. Sweet fruit will also help you produce saliva that will keep your throat hydrated.  

It’s a good idea to snack on some pineapple a couple of hours before your performance to really feel the full extent of the benefits.    

Are plums good for singers? 

Plums are another fruit with a very high water content which will keep your vocal cords nice and hydrated. Plums also have a low glycaemic index score which won’t cause any unwanted spikes in your blood sugar levels. This makes them an ideal snack to have before your performance as you won’t suddenly crash halfway through.  

Plums also reduce inflammation which is perfect for soothing your throat and keeping your vocal cords healthy.  

Are tomatoes good or bad for singers? 

Again, tomatoes have a very high water content, so you can’t go wrong with having a salad before your performance. Most salads all have lots of water which will keep your throat nice and hydrated. However, if you are someone who regularly gets heartburn or acid reflux, tomato could be a potential no-go before a performance. The high acidic content in tomatoes could lead to inflamed vocals if you get heartburn.  

Perhaps have a tomato salad the day before your performance rather than on the day if you are concerned. Remember, proper hydration should be happening days and weeks before your performance! 

Is watermelon good for singers? 

Watermelon contains over 90% water so it’s the perfect way to hydrate yourself and your voice before a performance. If you are dehydrated, your throat will feel tight and your vocal cords will not be able to vibrate freely. Watermelon is delicious cold but make sure that it’s at room temperature if consumed before a performance. Cold foods and drinks can tighten your vocal cords. 

Watermelon can be eaten on the days leading up to and the day of your performance. It will make sure that your vocals are properly hydrated and it tastes delicious too. You can’t go wrong! 

Related questions 

• Can I eat fruit before my performance? 

Fruit is a great way to maintain high energy without causing a blood sugar spike. So, it’s a great thing to snack on in between songs while performing. It’ll keep your vocal cords hydrated and prevent any excess strain on your voice.  

• Is it better to eat fruit or drink it? 

Your body processes and breaks down the nutritional benefits of fruit when you chew it. However, if it’s just before or during a performance, it may be easier to drink it. It does depend on your personal preference but if you have the time, it might be better to eat the fruit whole.  

• Are vegetables good for singers? 

Vegetables contain a whole host of vitamins and minerals that are a vital component of a healthy diet. Vegetables can also greatly benefit singers too as they are full of antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. Both of these things will keep your voice healthy.  

Now it’s your turn! Which fruits will you eat to benefit your next live performance? What fruits have you found to be good for your voice and which are best? Do you have any favourite fruits of your own? Let us know in the comments! 

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