«Breaking News» Milk does NOT makes coughs worse: Idea that the drink increases mucous is untrue

Parents' common misconception that giving a child with a cold milk will make it worse could be nonsense, new research claims. 

Doctors say parents often tell them parents don't give their children milk because it increases the production of mucous, making coughs or lung infections worse.

But scientists have revealed the old wives' tale is not true, and say children should be given milk because the calcium is vital for their bone health.  

The myth apparently originated from a spiritual leader in 1204 and was repeated for hundreds of years with no scientific proof.

Instead, people may just think milk is causing the body to produce more mucous because of the way it mixes with saliva and becomes sticky in the mouth.

Researchers say it is important for parents to not be put off giving their children milk because it is an important energy source and a good way of getting vitamins and minerals.

Drinking milk does not make the lungs produce more mucous, scientists say, and they warn that children should not stop drinking milk because it is a vital source of energy, calcium and vitamins and minerals

Dr Ian Balfour-Lynn, of the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, said: 'Our department has repeatedly been told by parents that drinking milk increases mucous production from the lungs, and so they stop their child having milk.

'This is particularly so in patients with conditions associated with excess mucous.

'For example, cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia, but also includes children with infant wheeze or asthma.

'Indeed, many people believe milk should be avoided with any respiratory illness, even a common cold.'  

He added the myth that milk might generate excess phlegm while chicken soup might get rid of it was started in 1204 by Moses Maimonides, a Jewish spiritual leader and court physician, who mentioned it when writing to a relative about asthma.

Children's health guru Dr Benjamin Spock may then have repeated the claim in his bestselling book 'The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care' in 1946.

The book sold over 50 million copies by the time its author died in 1998.   

Since 1948 scientific research had begun to show the myth was not true but it continued to spread anyway.

WHAT IS A DAIRY ALLERGY?

A dairy allergy is when the body's immune system reacts unusually to dairy.

Reactions to dairy, like other triggers, are usually mild, causing red rashes, itches, swelling and even vomiting.

However, they can prove deadly and lead to anaphylactic shock - which can kill in minutes.

It leads to a catastrophic drop in blood pressure and can trigger a cardiac arrest - when the heart suddenly stops working.

About 20 people in the UK die as a result of anaphylactic shock each year, according to figures.

Experts are unsure how many people have a dairy allergies, but claim they are one of the most common types of allergies.

The NHS advises patients with a dairy allergy, or allergies to other potential triggers such as peanuts, to avoid the food completely.

Dairy allergy is different to lactose intolerance, which is a common digestive problem to lactose - often found in milk.

One unproven theory was that a protein derived from the breakdown of certain types of milk triggered the gene which increases mucous secretion.

Dr Balfour-Lynn said this all happens in the bowel, and could only affect the respiratory tract if the integrity of the bowel was weakened by infection and allowed the milk protein to travel elsewhere in the body. 

Instead the myth could be down to how milk feels in the mouth.

Milk is an emulsion and saliva contains compounds which make it stickier and quickly interact with the emulsion to make it thicker.

Dr Balfour-Lynn added: 'This could well affect the sensory perception of milk mixed with saliva, both in terms of its thickness coating the mouth and after swallowing.'

'This may explain why so many people think there is more mucous produced when in fact it is the aggregates of milk emulsion that they aware of lingering in their mouth and throat.

'Many asthmatics perceive their asthma is worsened by drinking milk, and dairy is often avoided.

'While allergy or lactose intolerance is often thought to be the issue, in reality respiratory symptoms as the sole manifestation of a food allergy is uncommon.

'Milk is the principle source of calcium for children and adults as well as a good source of several vitamins.

'Adequate calcium intake is critical for the development of normal bone health and prevention of future osteoporosis.'

He cited research which showed children who avoided milk were shorter, had reduced bone mineral density and were more at risk of fractures.

Milk was also an important energy source for children and 'omitting this important calorie source is particularly [harmful] for young children with cystic fibrosis with their increased energy requirements,' Dr Balfour-Lynn added.

He concluded: 'While certainly the texture of milk can make some people feel their mucous and saliva is thicker and harder to swallow, there is no evidence that milk leads to excessive mucous secretion.

'Milk is an important source of calories, calcium and vitamins for children.. The milk-mucous myth needs to be rebutted firmly by healthcare workers.'

The study was published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. 

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https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/07/milk-does-not-makes-coughs-worse-idea-that-the-drink-increases-mucous-is-untrue/
Main photo article Parents’ common misconception that giving a child with a cold milk will make it worse could be nonsense, new research claims. 
Doctors say parents often tell them parents don’t give their children milk because it increases the production of mucous, making coughs or lung infections ...

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Dianne Reeves Health HienaLouca





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