Is there any way to stop excessive mucus production? Mucus production in the body can keep us healthy. Airborne particles, bacteria, and dust get trapped in the mucus and prevent the particles from entering the lungs. Mucus also acts as a protective and moisturizing layer to keep critical organs from drying out. But, if you are suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) then, the mucus production is often excessive and can harm the body.
There is a list of foods which can cause the build-up of phlegm in the body. One way to help individuals with excessive mucus production is to ward off the foods which trigger it. Let’s go through the foods which you can avoid adding to your diet for smooth breathing.
Contents
10 Foods to Avoid to get relief from excessive mucus production
- Milk – Intake of milk and milk products increases phlegm production, resulting in more cough, cold and congestion problems. Drinking milk makes the mucus thicker. When infections are more, the mucus becomes thickened and started dripping on the back of the throat.
- Yoghurt – Yes! Yoghurt can thicken the mucus, which causes excessive chest and nasal congestion in the body.
- Tomatoes – Intake of tomatoes can sometimes worsen allergies, which then increases histamine production in the body.
- Banana – Banana is highly beneficial for the body. Banana is rich in nutrients such as sugars, potassium, magnesium, pectin and protein. But when you have a cold and flu, eating a banana is not a good option as it can increase mucus production and upper respiratory tract infection. Instead, substitute your diet with anti-mucus foods to avoid upper respiratory tract infections.
- Coffee and tea – Yes! If you are already suffering from a cold, sipping a cup of coffee with added dairy can increase the production of mucus and phlegm within the body. Try having black coffee to limit mucus production.
- Eggs – Like other foods, eggs are a rich source of protein. But, if you are suffering from a cough and cold, the intake of an egg is not recommended. It causes excessive mucus build-up and aggregates cough more in asthmatic patients.
- Fried foods – Fried foods can irritate your throat, make you feel exhausted and can worsen your mucus production. So, to avoid excess mucus production stay away from fried foods, and processed foods such as white bread, pasta, baked foods, junk foods, chips etc.
- Sweet desserts – Having sweet desserts made with more sugars can exacerbate cough, slow down the healing process and can suppress the immune system.
- Nov-Veg – If the phlegm is increased, then Non-Veg Foods should not be consumed. If you have Excessive Mucus Production and you eat chicken, mutton or beef then the chance of infection increases. So, If the phlegm is forming too much, do not consume non-veg at all.
- Cheese – Cheese takes a little time to digest. If you have a phlegm problem, then you should avoid cheese. Cheese also makes more phlegm. Always keep in mind that the quantity of cottage cheese should not be too much.
If you have excess mucus clogging up your nostrils and throat or if you have an earache, headache and vision-related issues contact your healthcare provider immediately. Your doctor will assess the situation and depending upon the condition, your doctor may prescribe decongestants or antihistamines to ease the symptoms.
7 Tips to get rid of excessive mucus production in the body
The following are the foods which you can include in your diet to break up mucus.
- Sipping on warm fluids like soups and broth can loosen your build-up mucus. It also helps to flush out toxins from the body.
- Including seeds (Pumpkin seeds flaxseeds), nuts (walnuts) and eating fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna and herring have been found to reduce mucus production. If you cannot have fish, order fish oil supplements from a good online pharmacy in India.
- Add spices like garlic, shallots, lemon and watercress in your food. These will help to loosen your mucus and thus helps in cleansing mucus from the body.
- Cooking foods with olive oil helps to reduce bronchitis symptoms. The oleocanthal component in olive oil has properties similar to the drug Ibuprofen. So, try adding olive oil in your diet.
- Steam inhalation can also break your mucus and can reduce chest congestion.
- Saltwater gargles can remove excess mucus from the back of your throat.
- Hot Chicken Soup removes the problem of mucus and moisturizes your windpipe. So drink hot chicken soup two to three times a day to clear your throat. You can also add ginger and garlic separately to it, the more and quick benefit will be there.
Read: Home Remedies for Phlegm in Throat
Conclusion
The body can naturally produce mucus. But, if there is an excessive mucus accumulation, it makes you feel sick. Try not to include the above foods in your diet when you have severe mucus accumulation in your body. Follow the listed natural tips to remove excess mucus from the nose and the back of the throat.
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