{"id":56709,"date":"2023-01-23T09:30:53","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T14:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=56709"},"modified":"2025-12-22T13:32:26","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T18:32:26","slug":"mucus-killing-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/mucus-killing-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"5 mucus-killing foods"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether it\u2019s allergies, the common cold, the flu, or COVID, there are a number of reasons why you might be running to the tissue box more often than usual to handle congestion and pesky mucus (otherwise known as phlegm). If you find yourself with a stuffy nose or a phlegmy cough, there are a number of foods, at-home remedies, and over-the-counter medications that can provide some much-needed relief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes increased mucus?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mucus is a naturally occurring gelatinous substance produced by the mucus membranes. It lines your mouth, nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Its function is to trap things like dirt, dust particles, bacteria, and viruses in order to keep them from traveling further into your body and causing harm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s a really important part of what’s called the \u2018innate immune system,\u2019 which is our first line of defense,\u201d says <\/span>Ankit Kansal, MD<\/span>, an adult and pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist at ENT and Allergy Associates in New York.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

An increase in mucus means your body is trying to expel what doesn\u2019t belong, and there are a number of causes for this reaction. Allergies are a common one\u2014more than 50 million people in the U.S. experience some kind of an allergy each year, according to the <\/span>Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America<\/span><\/a>. When your body comes into contact with an allergen (such as pollen), cells release histamine to try to get rid of the irritant, and that process also increases mucus production and build-up. Excessive mucus from allergies tends to stay clear, according to Dr. Kansal<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, when you come down with a flu or cold, you might see your snot turning a yellow or even green shade. \u201cThose colors mean there are more white blood cells in your body rushing to fight the infection,\u201d Dr. Kansal says. \u201cAnd when those white blood cells die and get flushed out, whatever debris they\u2019ve accumulated will start to change color.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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