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Foods to Avoid When There is Mucous in the Chest

  • Marlon Mata
  • June 15, 2011

Your day is certainly ruined when there is too much mucous in your chest. While a small amount of mucous is needed to trap dust and other harmful particles in the lungs, an excess of these would be too much for comfort. When that happens, be prepared for coughs and wheezes that are sure to come.

Under such circumstances, we already know good home remedies that can minimize, if not eliminate, the discomfort caused by excess mucous in the chest. Chicken soup and other hot broths have been known to break up phlegm in the lungs, while sorbet, applesauce, honey, or ginger tea can help relieve the irritation.

What have continuously stumped researchers are the kinds of food that can worsen mucous build-up. Although allergy-causing foods like milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat have been known to cause excessive phlegm formation, how exactly and to what extent can they be blamed still remains a mystery. At best, avoiding these foods can help control or minimize mucous production.

Most doctors are in agreement that the last seven foods mentioned above may worsen phlegm production. However, milk and other dairy products leave a question mark in their minds. Do these worsen phlegm production or thicken it?

Foods to Avoid When There is Mucous in the ChestBased on a study published in 2005 by the Journal of American College of Nutrition, dairy products like milk simply give the impression of worsening mucous because of their consistency. It has nothing to do with excessive phlegm formation. While other studies do say that dairy products thicken mucous in the chest, some people actually feel relieved when they eat ice cream or creamy soups.

The best way to go about this, as well as with other foods, is through experience. Observing how different foods affect the amount of mucous in our chests can give us useful signs. Once you know what gives you problems, then it would be best to avoid them temporarily. Better yet, consult a doctor or health care professional for treatment options.

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