Incorrect: Diseases can have a variety of causes, including infections, genetic mutations, environmental exposure, and lifestyle. In some conditions, like bronchitis, excess mucus is a symptom of disease, but it isn’t the cause. Cold weather doesn’t “detox” the body of excess mucus.

KEY TAKE AWAY

Mucus is an important part of maintaining our health and excess mucus is triggered by infections or reactions to environmental factors. While excess mucus can be a symptom of disease, there’s no evidence that it causes bronchitis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, or glaucoma. These conditions each have their own individual causes, and attempts to “detox” mucus will not prevent them.

FULL CLAIM: Excessive mucus causes bronchitis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and glaucoma; “Summer is acidic [whereas] cold is alkaline [and] a detoxification process starts”

REVIEW

A widely-shared Facebook video, which originated on TikTok, made several claims about the role of mucus in causing various diseases. As this review will explain, mucus may be a symptom of some diseases but it is not the cause.

Mucus is released by the body to lubricate and protect the linings of the digestive and respiratory systems. The thick fluid can trap small particles or bacteria as part of the body’s defense against disease.

Excess mucus is usually associated with respiratory or sinus infections, allergies, or irritants such as smoke or pollutants. Claims that mucus in the body causes...

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