Milk has had a bad wrap in the past. Dieters often skipped milk and other dairy foods in the mistaken belief that they caused weight gain. And many people believe that it’s best not to drink milk if you have asthma or a cold, as milk results in the production of mucus. We now know that dairy foods are an excellent part of a healthy diet due to their bone-building nutrients and research has shown that people who regularly eat dairy foods actually have an edge to weight loss. But what about the milk and mucus link?
Milk myths
It seems that this link goes a long way back in history to the 12th century, where dairy foods were reported to cause mucus-coated throats, clogged noses, annoying coughs and asthma. According to a comprehensive review in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, there is no scientific evidence for this.
After analysing the available scientific research on the topic, the authors concluded that milk intake was not associated with nose symptoms, cough or congestion.
Suspect symptoms
In one study, people drank either flavoured milk or a milk-free drink disguised to look and taste like flavoured milk. Interestingly, people who believed the milk-mucus myth tended to report more symptoms than non-believers. However, there was no difference in symptoms reported after the milk and the non-milk drinks — showing milk was not the cause. Some people know for sure that when they drink milk they do feel more ‘mucusy’ but it appears that this may be a chemical reaction between that person’s saliva and a milk compound. It is not dangerous and quickly disappears in the majority of cases.
Asthma triggers
The review also concluded that milk does not seem to exacerbate the symptoms of asthma. According to the National Asthma Council it is very rare for dairy foods to trigger asthma symptoms. Common culprits are more likely to be house dust mites, pollens, mould spores, animal hair or fur, tobacco smoke, viral infections and the common cold.
It’s very important for parents of children with asthma to continue to offer them a balanced diet. Dairy foods contain important growth nutrients including protein, calcium, riboflavin and niacin.
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