Thickened liquids are a medical dietary adjustment that thickens the consistency of fluids in order to preventchoking. Thickened liquids are recommended for individuals who havedifficulty swallowing(dysphagia) and keeping food or liquid from entering their airway. You may need to have thickened liquids for dysphagia if you have a neurological condition such as astroke, a weakening of the muscles or nerves of the esophagus, or from an obstruction (blockage) in the throat.
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Types
Types of Thickeners Available
Starch-based thickeners are easier to mix; however, they are best consumed immediately after mixing. The longer a starch-based thickener sits, the thicker the consistency will become. If the liquid is then refrigerated, the liquid may become too thick. Commercial products include:
Gum-based thickeners require more care to mix as they tend to clump more and must be mixed well to avoid inconsistent fluid thickness. If the liquid is not mixed properly, you could accidentally increase the risk of choking rather than decrease it. One advantage of gum-based thickeners is that once mixed, the consistency remains stable and can be refrigerated. Commercial products include:
What Is Maltodextrin Used For, and Is It Safe?
How to Know If You Need Thickened Liquids
Frequently Asked Questions
Thick or thickened water is water designed for people with difficulty swallowing, a medical condition known as dysphagia. Thick water contains an odorless, flavorless thickener, such as xanthan gum, which gives the water a thicker consistency.
Thick-It is a food and beverage thickener that comes in two formulations: Thick-It Original and Thick-It Clear Advantage.Thick-It Original contains modified corn starch. Thick-It Clear Advantage contains xanthan gum, maltodextrin, and ascorbic acid.
Thick-It is a food and beverage thickener that comes in two formulations: Thick-It Original and Thick-It Clear Advantage.
Thick-It Original contains modified corn starch. Thick-It Clear Advantage contains xanthan gum, maltodextrin, and ascorbic acid.
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cichero JA.Thickening agents used for dysphagia management: effect on bioavailability of water, medication and feelings of satiety.Nutr J. 2013;12:54. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-12-54Badenduck LA, Matthews TW, McDonough A, et al.Fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing to assess swallowing outcomes as a function of head position in a normal population.J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(1):9. doi:10.1186/1916-0216-43-9Additional ReadingGarcia JM, Chambers E.Managing dysphagia through diet modifications. Am J Nurs. 2010;110(11):26-33. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000390519.83887.02Intermountain Healthcare. (2014).Dysphagia.Mills, R. H. (2008, October 14). Dysphagia Management: Using Thickened Liquids. The ASHA Leader.Speech Pathology Australia. Australian Standards for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cichero JA.Thickening agents used for dysphagia management: effect on bioavailability of water, medication and feelings of satiety.Nutr J. 2013;12:54. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-12-54Badenduck LA, Matthews TW, McDonough A, et al.Fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing to assess swallowing outcomes as a function of head position in a normal population.J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(1):9. doi:10.1186/1916-0216-43-9Additional ReadingGarcia JM, Chambers E.Managing dysphagia through diet modifications. Am J Nurs. 2010;110(11):26-33. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000390519.83887.02Intermountain Healthcare. (2014).Dysphagia.Mills, R. H. (2008, October 14). Dysphagia Management: Using Thickened Liquids. The ASHA Leader.Speech Pathology Australia. Australian Standards for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cichero JA.Thickening agents used for dysphagia management: effect on bioavailability of water, medication and feelings of satiety.Nutr J. 2013;12:54. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-12-54Badenduck LA, Matthews TW, McDonough A, et al.Fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing to assess swallowing outcomes as a function of head position in a normal population.J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(1):9. doi:10.1186/1916-0216-43-9
Cichero JA.Thickening agents used for dysphagia management: effect on bioavailability of water, medication and feelings of satiety.Nutr J. 2013;12:54. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-12-54
Badenduck LA, Matthews TW, McDonough A, et al.Fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing to assess swallowing outcomes as a function of head position in a normal population.J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;43(1):9. doi:10.1186/1916-0216-43-9
Garcia JM, Chambers E.Managing dysphagia through diet modifications. Am J Nurs. 2010;110(11):26-33. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000390519.83887.02Intermountain Healthcare. (2014).Dysphagia.Mills, R. H. (2008, October 14). Dysphagia Management: Using Thickened Liquids. The ASHA Leader.Speech Pathology Australia. Australian Standards for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids.
Garcia JM, Chambers E.Managing dysphagia through diet modifications. Am J Nurs. 2010;110(11):26-33. doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000390519.83887.02
Intermountain Healthcare. (2014).Dysphagia.
Mills, R. H. (2008, October 14). Dysphagia Management: Using Thickened Liquids. The ASHA Leader.
Speech Pathology Australia. Australian Standards for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids.
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