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Herbal drinks while on Immunotherapy

LeFleur
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Hi, I have taken a look at some leaflets about diet while on adjuvant therapy and I'm looking for alternatives to my drinks that don't interfere with my treatment.
In one of your leaflets, it says that I can have green tea but it's not advisable to have more than 1 per day.
I have quit coffee for the year after my operation (I thought it could benefit my circulation) but I'm now struggling to find something to drink in the morning as a ritual to help me start the day in the best way.
I have read about chicory coffee and mushroom coffee and would love to try them but will they be ok or will they be like green tea and possibly affect the cure?

To be clear: I'm looking for something that I can drink multiple times a day as it would help me stay hydrated.
The cure I'm in uses pembrolizumab.

Thank you

  • Hi LeFleur,

    Thank you for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. I’m Isobel one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist, on the Macmillan Support Line.

    Thank you for your question.

    Keeping well hydrated is so important while on treatment, and it is good to read that you are looking at what alternatives there are to traditional coffee and tea. Those morning rituals can be so important at the start of the day.

    In general we cannot recommend one product over another, and your doctor or pharmacist would be best placed to look at the specifics of your treatment and any possible interactions with the alternative drinks you are be thinking of.

    However, herbal teas that can be bought at any shop might be a useful alternative. There are so many varieties you could always experiment with the different flavours. Taste can change while you are in treatment, so often not taking any one drink to excess means that you don’t become tired of it.

    This link to our booklet about Healthy Eating and Cancer may also give you some added information and help guide you

     

    Best wishes,

    Isobel Y, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref/ FM

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