Fact: Milk consumption does not lead to mucus production or asthma.
She tells patients exactly what this review found — that milk does not increase mucus or phlegm production. In addition, cold milk can help hydrate and soothe the throat of a sick child in need of calories, Wasserman told Live Science. Original article on Live Science.
Misconceptions: Milk Causes Mucus Fact: Milk consumption does not lead to mucus production or asthma.
Well, it turns out that dairy may not be the only food allowing phlegm to thrive in the back of your throat. “Certain foods may cause excess phlegm buildup, notably dairy products that are known to amp up mucus production,” explains Kate Gavlick, nutritionist and blogger behind VeguKate.
However, her general practitioner had told her that dairy had nothing to do with congestion, and that the body’s mucus production was totally unaffected by milk, cheese, butter and similar foods. This came as a surprise to her, and it certainly came as one to me too!
It’s at the top of mucus producing food list for a reason. Milk and its derivatives like cheese, cream, butter and yogurt contain casein molecules which stimulate phlegm production. In addition, dairy contains a sugar called lactose which further increases mucus secretion.
What to eat to reduce mucus in throat?
In the meantime, the nutritionist recommends chugging plenty of water to help lubricate the throat and thin the mucus, avoiding dehydrating beverages like coffee, and eating your fill of healthy fats and fiber. A study from 2004 actually linked chowing down on fiber-packed fruits to reduced levels of mucus and overall increased respiratory health. Meaning apples, oranges, and berries are all on the phlegm-be-gone menu. Ahhh, now you’re breathing easier—right?
Chowing down on fiber-packed fruits has been linked to reduced levels of mucus and overall increased respiratory health. Meaning apples, oranges, and berries are all on the phlegm-be-gone menu.
Well, it turns out that dairy may not be the only food allowing phlegm to thrive in the back of your throat. “Certain foods may cause excess phlegm buildup, notably dairy products that are known to amp up mucus production,” explains Kate Gavlick, nutritionist and blogger behind VeguKate.
Why are dairy and soft drink companies so notorious?
According to Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Centre for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, “both the dairy and the soft drink industries are notorious for giving investigators money to do studies that typically find things favorable to the industry.
Dairy is high acid, and plant foods are alkaline. The high acidity of dairy actually makes the body pull alkaline minerals from the bones (like calcium and magnesium), making them weaker and more prone to fracture. Plant foods, on the other hand, are mineral-rich and don’t strip alkaline minerals from our bones.
The Bottom Line. While many believe that dairy is not the cause of mucus – studies say otherwise. The studies that claim dairy doesn’t create mucus are directly funded by the dairy industry, so massive bias lies in resultant data.
Mayo Clinic also states that drinking milk makes phlegm thicker and more irritating to your throat than it normally would be when you have a sore throat. Unfortunately, the same applies to when your throat isn’t sore – you just don’t notice it as much when your throat isn’t sore and irritated.
How to get rid of mucus in the airway?
Oftentimes this requires using an airway clearing device. Drinking lots of water can go a long way in helping thin the mucus and make the task of eliminating it much more efficient. Some health care providers suggest drinking club soda because the carbonation also helps loosen the mucus.
Mucus actually performs an important purpose as it traps dirt and bacteria and small foreign objects and keeps them from entering our lungs. It also aids in digestion and keeps our respiratory tissues from drying out. It is secreted from membranes in our nose, airways and windpipe.
A diet rich in antioxidants (mostly fresh, hard fruits and some vegetables), has been recommended for COPD patients in 2019: Scoditti, Egeria et al. “Role of Diet in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevention and Treatment.”.
It is secreted from membranes in our nose, airways and windpipe. Cilia, the microscopic hairs in our respiratory system, sweep the dirty mucus upwards through the airways and move it towards the windpipe so that the particles can be coughed out or swallowed.
I have always been told that if you have COPD you should not drink milk or milk products such as ice cream because it will produce mucus.
The results were that milk does not cause the body to produce mucus, BUT it does cause the phlegm to thicken. It is believed that it is the fat content in the milk that causes this reaction. Milk has lots of benefits for the body, including being an excellent source of calcium and vitamins, so you have to weigh the benefits.
Certainly , mucus is not a pleasant thing to discuss, but the management of it is very important for a COPD patient. Hope this helps! Coaches Corner is aimed at providing information for individuals with COPD to take to your doctor, and is not in any way intended to be medical advice.
Why can’t asthma patients drink milk?
Children with asthma, who often avoid milk because of the increased-phlegm theory , experienced no differences in breathing symptoms whether they drank milk or soy milk. The problem with milk may be a sensory trick. Milk and saliva in your mouth create a somewhat thick liquid that can briefly coat the mouth and throat.
Phlegm is the thick, sticky mucus that drips down the back of your throat when you have a cold. Although drinking milk may make phlegm thicker and more irritating to your throat than it would normally be, milk doesn’t cause your body to make more phlegm. In fact, frozen dairy products can soothe a sore throat and provide calories when you otherwise may not eat.
Sharing is caring, don’t forget to share this post with friends !
