Most people enjoy a tall glass of milk every now and then; even the United States Department of Agriculture recommends that adults consume 3 cups of fat-free or low-fat milk per day. Still, some people believe that drinking milk can generate mucus and lead to allergy problems, cold symptoms or worsen an already-present infection. Contrary to popular belief, studies show that milk does not create mucus.
Origins of the Belief
The myth that milk will generate mucus is an old wives' tale that has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. It dates back to as far as the 12th century, when a Jewish doctor by the name of Moses Maimonides discovered what seemed to be a correlation between milk and mucus production while conducting research for asthma patients. Ancient Chinese medicine also believed that milk, chocolate and honey all humidified the body, causing mucus to thicken.
Mucus Production
Mucus, although an annoyance, is a beneficial substance produced by the body in order to protect membranes and tissues. It is produced in normal amounts every day. As a natural defense, more mucus is produced to coat the throat, stomach and mouth when the body has an infection. Its thick coating protects and helps decrease healing time.
Milk and Mucus
Milk is associated with mucus production because of years of observation and correlations between milk consumption and mucus. These correlations are thought to be attributed to the creamy, mucus-like texture of dairy fats in the back of the throat that tend to be present after milk consumption. Many people mistake this for excess mucus, when, in fact, it is simply a coating of milk fats.
A study published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" published in December of 2005, 'Milk Consumption Does Not Lead to Mucus Production or Occurrence of Asthma,' concluded that consumption of milk did not lead to mucus production, except in cases where a milk allergy was present.
Benefits of Milk
The many benefits of milk consumption include intake of calcium, vitamin D, protein and potassium. Choosing to cut back on your milk intake to reduce mucus will not resolve the mucus problem, but it will lead to the decrease of valuable nutrients within your diet. Chilled or frozen milk products can be beneficial during times of illness to help soothe a sore throat or to provide needed calories and important nutrients for recovery.
References
- "The Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Milk Consumption Does Not Lead to Mucus Production or Occurrence of Asthma; B. Wuthrich, et al.; December 2005
- Health In Motion: Does Milk Increase Mucus Production?; Jorg Mardian
- Valley Health System: Does Drinking Milk Increase Phlegm?
- United States Department of Agriculture: Choose My Plate.gov: How Much Food From the Dairy Group is Needed Daily?
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