Tips for Cold and Flu Season: Foods That Causes Mucus to Build Up

This season, I caught both a cold in February 2016 and the Flu in June 2016. I conclude, the strains have changed because, they were both devastating and I seem to catch them every two years or so. The Flu had me at home for two weeks. I had majority of the symptoms and my nights were beyond miserable.

In the final week, I was left with puffy sinuses and a constant flow of mucus. In the next couple posts, I want to share some information on dealing with mucus/phlegm.

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Foods That Causes Mucus to Build Up

Sometimes, excess mucus might be caused by a person’s diet. Some people have experienced a build-up of mucus when consuming food or drink, such as milk, though scientific studies suggest there may be no connection between the two. It may still be useful for some people to track consumption of things like MSG and other food additives though, to determine if there is any correlation. Dairy products cause mucus build up in the body—cutting back will help the throat and lungs be less congested.

Phlegm can come in a few colours, and the colour of a person’s phlegm often indicates his state of health. Black phlegm can be harmless, but it can also indicate a serious health problem. One of the most common causes of black phlegm, especially in children, is ingesting something black or dark. Certain foods, such as chocolate or licorice, can turn a person’s phlegm dark or black. Tiny particles of these foods can stick to the mucus in the throat when a person eats, and can produce black phlegm when he coughs or clears his throat.

One of the things you may have noticed is that after enjoying a meal of spicy foods, your nose begins to run. Most people agree that spicy foods cause runny noses. What is the connection between runny noses and spicy food? Here are some of the things you should know about spices and how they can make an impact on your health, including runny noses.

Spicy foods cause runny noses for one simple reason: they contain the chemical capsaicin, which causes inflammation in the nerves and elevates the production of mucus in the nasal membranes. This leads to an increase in the draining action of the nasal passages. While the result may not be aesthetically pleasing, there are actually a number of reasons why this may be a good thing for your body.

The fact that spicy foods cause runny noses is also a sign that your body needs to expel excess mucus. They help the veins and arteries in your body to open up and begin to flush out elements that could eventually lead to blockages in your system. This natural phase of house cleaning helps to keep your body in much better operating condition. Spicy foods are nature’s way of allowing the body to perform general maintenance, ensuring fewer health issues and promoting quicker recovery.

Just because spicy foods cause runny noses does not mean that every time you have a spicy dish that your nose is going to run like a water faucet. Basically, if there isn’t much that needs to be expelled from the body, then there will not be much in the way of nose running. While it is true that no one is fond of having a runny nose, the fact is that many people report being able to breathe more clearly and feeling less head congestion after a plateful of hot Thai noodles and a few moments of wiping the nose. In short, the health benefits far outweigh the inconvenience of a couple moments of a runny nose.

About the writer:
Poetess Denise N. Fyffe is a published author for more than six years and enjoys volunteering as a Counselor. She has transitioned into being a Jamaican blogger and freelance writer.

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