Truth or Myth: dairy increases mucus?

[RNsRWe]

I heard all my life that if you have a cold, you should avoid dairy products because they increase mucus production. That if you're already 'phlegmmy' you shouldn't have any dairy.

And then an acquaintance tells me that that's all horse-poo, that the latest research indicates all that is either a myth or old wives' tale, or whatever. I only listened because he's quite the track and field athlete, and seems he'd know if dairy did increase the secretions; he swears by all dairy products and doesn't avoid them when sick and never had an issue with extra mucus production.

Anyone know for sure, not just what they believe because they were told this? What's a reliable source to find out if it's FACT, or CR*P? Would love to know!

[asuperpower]

Dunno about any official research but in Middle School DD's chorus director used to instruct the kids not to have milk before a concert.

Singers should not have dairy or fat foods a few hours before they sing, and they should drink plenty of water. This is not to do with mucus. It is to do with the vocal folds, not the mucus, so you can have dairy.

[softstorms]

O.K. How much of milk is made of water? Increase fluid intake and the body responds. sinus drainage will loosen up with increase fluids. Sooooo, if you have thick mucus drainage...increase fluids will help. Tea, coffee,water,juice,milk?

[Kezef76]

What is the purpose of milk in nature?

To make babies fat. It works well on adults too. There is probably a good reason so many people get lactose intolerant after coming off of milk for a short period of time. Your body is telling you to avoid it

[diva rn, BSN, RN]

I am not sure about the scientific aspects of the milk vs mucus production debate. However, my daughter graduated with a MS degree in vocal performance from grad school. She could never drink milk or have yogurt or any diary for many hours before performing. (She's a soprano) It really affected her voice, and all of the professors at the University lectured against it. It's really common in the professional singing industry.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

What is the purpose of milk in nature?

To make babies fat. It works well on adults too. There is probably a good reason so many people get lactose intolerant after coming off of milk for a short period of time. Your body is telling you to avoid it

I'm confused about the relevance of this to mucous production?

Thread from 2008

[diva rn, BSN, RN]

Fat babies can't sing?

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Fat babies can't sing?

:hhmth: :hhmth: :hhmth: :hhmth: :vlin: :hhmth: :hhmth: :hhmth: :hhmth:

You may owe me new underwear !!

[diva rn, BSN, RN]

Thong, hipsters or grannies?

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

thong, hipsters or grannies?

bloomers

[newzgerl]

I have mild emphysema and I have to remain dairy free, especially of 'modified milk ingredients' or else excessive, sticky mucus chokes me, especially through the night. I really don't care what anybody says, the tests weren't done with the right people, some people can handle dairy, whatever, but all I know is that whenever I slip up and have a bowl of ice cream or a chunk of cheese containing modified milk ingredients, I wake from a sound sleep choking and desparately trying to quickly swallow a lot of unpleasantness so I can breathe for a few seconds before the next batch slides in. Note: I can have old cheddar that is made from unpasteurized cream. I think processing and unnatural ingredients are the main concern here.

[MomRN0913]

I think there is some truth to it thickening mucous. My friends son was having asthma and respiratory infection problems. I watched him have some milkshake and this poor boy just started coughing up the goopy stuff. He was fine when he was drinking gallons of lemonade, but that half a milkshake did him in.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

My partner had to give up drinking milk, which she loved and had every night, because she would just cough and cough and cough afterwards, and was forever clearing her throat. Since she gave up milk it doesn't happen anymore. It absolutely affected her.