Do you find yourself constantly coughing after indulging in dairy products? Does your morning bowl of cereal leave you clearing your throat for the next hour? If so, you may be experiencing a dairy-induced cough. But is this actually a real thing or just an old wives' tale? We dove deep into the science behind it to give you some honest-to-goodness answers.
A Hacking Havoc
Have you ever found yourself in a meeting at work trying to stifle that annoying tickle in your throat while someone drones on about budget projections? Or worse, have you been sitting quietly during an intimate moment with the one and only Love of Your Life (LOYL - we'll use this term throughout as we love acronyms) only to let out an unexpected hack! mid-sentence because of something they said that made absolutely no sense whatsoever? Tis embarrassing indeed!
So why is it that sometimes when we consume certain foods, especially those containing dairy products such as milk or cheese, our throats go haywire and start hacking away like there's no tomorrow? Is there any validity behind these claims or are people just paranoid?
Let's get down to the nitty-gritty and find out once and for all if dairy really can cause coughing.
The Science Behind It
Believe it or not, there has been research conducted on whether dairy products can trigger coughing. According to one study published by BMC Pediatrics, "there appears to be good evidence from controlled studies...to support patients who complain of increased phlegm production after drinking milk".
So what does this mean exactly?
Essentially, researchers have found evidence suggesting that certain individuals may experience increased phlegm production after consuming cow's milk. This increase in phlegm could then lead to excessive coughing fits.
But how does this happen?
One theory is that the protein in milk, casein, may be to blame. Casein is known for its ability to stimulate mucus production and could potentially lead to an increase in phlegm as a result.
Who's Affected?
But does this mean that everyone who eats dairy products will experience coughing fits? Not necessarily.
In fact, according to David Beuther, MD of National Jewish Health, only about 10% of individuals with asthma may potentially experience a reaction from consuming cow's milk (we use "potentially" here as we don't want you rushing off panicking if you fall under the 90% bracket and haven't experienced any symptoms).
So while it is possible that dairy products can trigger coughing fits in some people with certain conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it may not be the case for everyone.
Possible Solutions
If you find yourself experiencing excessive coughing after consuming dairy products, there are a few things you can try:
- Try switching up your diet - If all types of dairy seem to cause issues for you, try experimenting with alternative non-dairy options like nut or oat milk.
- Consult your healthcare provider - It's always best to speak with your doctor or nutritionist first before attempting anything drastic.
- Avoid eating large amounts of cheese/milk late at night when trying getting some shut-eye - The last thing anyone needs is an unexpected tickle during REM sleep mode!
- Stay hydrated – drinking plenty fluids will thin down thick mucus and subsequently help keep those dang irritants at bay
- Consider using throat lozenges/sprays- these should help soothe irritation caused by coughs
With these suggestions above among others out there based irrevocably on personal preference, hopefully you'llthriveonarangeofpossiblesolutionsandovercome(that's the spirit!) any dairy-induced coughing fits.
Conclusion
So to answer your question: can dairy products really trigger coughing? Yes, there is evidence supporting this claim. However, it's important to note that not everyone will experience these symptoms and there are possible solutions if you do. By understanding your triggers and making necessary adjustments to your diet or lifestyle habits, you should be able to manage any coughing fits caused by dairy consumption.
We hope this article has provided some insight into the potential link between dairy products and coughing and offers up some light-hearted humor which we all know goes a long way especially in these times! So for anyone out there currently trying hard not to choke on their cereal as their partner goes on with all sorts of trivia facts from social media analysis -- hang in there, soldier! You got this!
Enjoy every meal without fear... well except when adding too much heat… nobody likes sweating profusely over a bowl of chili flake filled spaghetti blameItalyforthisone!