Ask Dr. Lisa

Q: I heard you shouldn't drink milk or eat dairy if you have a cold. Is that true?

A: Nope. There's no evidence that dairy increases mucus production, which seems to be the pervasive myth. In one study, people with colds were asked to drink up to 11 glasses of milk a day, and even they didn't become more phlegmy. The "drink lots of fluids" conventional wisdom, however, does hold water. Staying hydrated is crucial when you're fighting an infection, but it doesn't matter if your preference is milk, juice, chicken soup or plain H ₂ O. Just keep those fluids flowing.

Lisa Callahan, M.D., is author of The Fitness Factor (The Lyons Press). Have a personal-health question? Write to drlisa@self.com.