It is widely believed that drinking milk while suffering from a cold exacerbates symptoms and increases the secretion of mucus and phlegm, but researchers in the United States confirm that this belief is linked to apparent symptoms in some people, and that milk in fact does not lead to an increase in symptoms in cases of colds.
Researcher Julie Boone from the Mayo Clinic Medical Center in the United States says that “milk does not lead to the secretion of phlegm,” and confirms in statements to the “Medical Express” website, which specializes in medical research, that although the mucus increases in thickness in cases of respiratory infection, This process is not related to milk consumption.
She explained that the apparent feeling of increased mucus secretion when drinking milk is related to the fact that milk temporarily creates a membrane around the mouth and throat area, which gives an apparent feeling of increased mucus and phlegm inside the respiratory system.
Modern scientific research does not support the idea of abstaining from eating dairy during respiratory infections, except in cases of patients allergic to eating dairy.
Boone says that for those who suffer from a cold or sore throat, drinking milk may actually be beneficial for them, because the cold, soft texture of milk helps reduce the sensitivity of inflamed throat tissues, and its nutritional benefits help strengthen the body and help it resist infection. .
Experts also advise, in cases of colds, to drink plenty of water, broth, and warm drinks, while using humidifiers to reduce congestion, and gargling with water and salt to reduce throat pain.