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There’s a long-standing perception that consuming milk whenever you’re sick can worsen chilly signs and enhance mucus manufacturing. Nevertheless, analysis suggests this perception is extra associated to notion than to precise results on the physique.
“No. Drinking milk does not cause the body to make phlegm,” stated Dr. Julie Baughn of the Mayo Clinic. She emphasised that though mucus naturally thickens throughout respiratory infections, this course of occurs independently of milk consumption. The feeling folks affiliate with elevated mucus manufacturing doubtless stems from milk’s short-term coating impact on the mouth and throat, which might create a sense just like mucus buildup.
Regardless of this, analysis on the subject has yielded combined outcomes. A 2019 examine printed within the Nationwide Library of Medication signifies some people may expertise elevated mucus manufacturing after consuming dairy merchandise. Nevertheless, a number of earlier research discovered no direct connection in wholesome people or these affected by respiratory infections.
Present proof doesn’t help the thought of avoiding milk throughout respiratory infections except you might have a identified dairy sensitivity or lactose intolerance. If in case you have issues about how dairy impacts your congestion, you may think about monitoring your signs or consulting with a well being care supplier to see if eliminating it might be useful.
For these battling a chilly or sore throat, milk may very well present advantages, in response to Baughn. The cool, clean texture may help soothe irritated throat tissues, whereas its dietary content material helps the physique throughout sickness.
Different confirmed house treatments for combating a chilly, in response to VeryWell Well being, embrace:
Staying hydrated with water, clear broths and heat drinks
Resting
Utilizing a humidifier to ease congestion
Gargling salt water for sore throat aid
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Does consuming milk actually make congestion worse? (2025, January 4)
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