Puréeing food may make it easier to swallow but can make meals boring and decrease appetite (with a potential risk of further dehydration). Adjusting fluids with a thickener should be advised by the SLT as swallowing abilities can differ and there is still a risk of aspiration, and thickeners can affect medicine absorption.¹⁸

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is monitoring liquid thickener use, noting that “there is an absence of evidence that thickened fluids can reduce dysphagia-related complications such as respiratory tract infections, or that they improve health or quality of life outcomes for patients.”¹⁹