“Eating ice cream when you have a cold makes it worse”

It's a common belief that consuming dairy products, like ice cream, when you have a cold will make your symptoms worse, particularly by increasing mucus production. This idea has a long history, with roots tracing back to the 13th century, when a Jewish physician, Moses Maimonides, mentioned in a treatise on asthma that certain foods could generate phlegm, though his specific comments on milk have often been taken out of context. The myth was further popularized in the 20th century by American pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock in his widely read "Baby and Child Care" book.

Despite this widespread belief, scientific evidence does not support the claim that dairy products increase mucus production or worsen cold symptoms. Numerous studies have found no significant correlation between dairy intake and increased respiratory mucus secretion in people with colds or even those with asthma or cystic fibrosis. In fact, for many individuals, cold and smooth foods such as ice cream can actually provide temporary relief for a sore throat by numbing the pain and reducing inflammation, while also offering essential calories and hydration when appetite is low during illness.

The persistent belief that dairy exacerbates cold symptoms likely stems from the temporary sensation of a thicker coating in the mouth or throat that some people experience after consuming milk or ice cream. This feeling is often mistaken for an increase in phlegm or mucus, leading to the false conclusion that dairy is making them sicker. However, this sensory perception is distinct from actual mucus production in the respiratory system and is unrelated to the severity or duration of cold symptoms. Therefore, there's no need to avoid a comforting scoop of ice cream when you're feeling under the weather; it's a busted myth.