Does milk aggravate cold symptoms?

It has long been claimed that one can not use dairy products such as milk and cheese in case of colds, as this would stimulate the formation of mucus. But there has never been any scientific evidence before.

It has been scientifically proven for the first time that milk aggravates cold symptoms, at least in patients already suffering from excreted secretions of mucus, reports hln.be.

For the researchers came to this conclusion because they did not expect to deny this "fable", reports Scottish Daily Mail . The results of the research are published in the scientific journal The laryngoscope .

Production of snotty

Your body is pooped daily even if you are not sick. This does not only occur in the nose, but also in the sinuses, mouth, throat, lungs and digestive system. This is to prevent these surfaces from drying out.

When you are sick, your body is busy fighting the infection. In part, we feel so bad because of the immune system's reaction in the body. A stuffy nose is an attempt by your body to block an infection and expel the infection. Additional secretion of mucus in the nose comes from cells in the sinus wall and upper respiratory tract. Snot is an attempt to rinse your nose and rid your body of unwanted bacteria.

Whole milk versus soy milk

For the study, 26 men and 82 women were examined suffering from an exaggerated secretion of mucus. They all had to follow a dairy-free diet for three days. Then half of the group had to drink 350 ml of whole milk each day for four consecutive days. The other half drank 350 milliliters of vegetable soy milk. A taste has been added to both types of milk so that respondents do not know what they have been drinking.

Everyone noticed a decrease in their mucus production during the first three days. In the group that drank soymilk, it continued to decline, while the group that drank cow's milk just noticed that their mucus production increased again.

Self-Determination

Although the study is relatively small, Adam Frosh, Nose, Throat, and Stevenage Hospital Lister, Hertfordshire, to conclude that all who feel they have more mucus problems drinking milk, consuming far fewer dairy products and / or drinking. "Even if you decide for yourself whether dairy products will bring you more mucus," says Frosh.

One of the explanations for the increase in mucus production by dairy products is that mucus contains beta-casein protein A1 as well as some genes. would activate responsible for the production of mucus. This only happens when the protein is released from the gastrointestinal tract and enters the blood, which is rather rare.

'Not true & # 39;

Despite the results of the study, not everyone is convinced. For example, Dr. Ian Balfour-Lynn, a specialist in respiratory infections in children at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, does not believe that dairy products exacerbate mucus production. "Milk is a liquid that thickens on contact with saliva, which is why many people think that they suffer more mucus after consuming dairy products."

However, Frosh is late on his research results and says that "we are forced to ask our patients to investigate further". He reports that scientists "now need more in-depth studies showing the position of the fork"

Tips for colds

Do you have a cold? Then, apply these five tips. It is also helpful to know that you are making sure your home does not have the flu.

Sources | hln.be, Scottish daily newspaper
Photo | Sanoma Media

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