I’ve always seen people saying “if you have built up mucus in your lungs then drink this or that” but I never really understood that how can a liquid that goes down your throat help to clean/fix/heal your lungs?
and i’m not only referring to mucus that was just an example
In: Biology
If you are well hydrated, your mucus is thinner, and thin mucus is good. Thin mucus is easier to expectorate (cough up and spit out). Thick, sticky mucus is more difficult to expectorate.
The body abhors stasis: Everything in our bodies is designed for movement.
When mucus just sits there, it creates an environment for bacteria to breed, as bacteria love a warm, wet, nutrient-filled medium. So not being able to clear one’s mucus would make one more prone to secondary bacterial infections. (Bacterial infections often follow viral infections. For example, when a common cold becomes sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia.)
One way our bodies eliminate bacteria from the respiratory system is through the mucociliary elevator. Cells that line our airways have these hair-like projections called cilia. These cilia undulate in a wave-like fashion; and through this coordinated wave-like movement they push foreign material upstream, towards our throat, where we can cough it up and expectorate it. Having thin mucus supports and aids this process. Having thick, sticky mucus impedes this process.
Clear fluids–like water, herb tea and chicken broth–help us to stay hydrated and have thinner mucus.
Latest Answers