Can I eat salted duck eggs when having a cough?

It is not recommended to eat duck eggs when experiencing coughing. Coughing is usually caused by respiratory infections, and occurs when the trachea, bronchial mucosa, or pleura are stimulated by inflammation, foreign bodies, physical or chemical irritants. During a cough, the vocal cords first close, respiratory muscles contract, and pressure in the lungs increases; then the vocal cords open suddenly, expelling air from the lungs. Coughing serves a protective function by clearing foreign substances and secretions from the respiratory tract. During episodes of coughing, it's best to minimize consumption of milk and dairy products such as butter, cheese, yogurt, and cream, which may help gradually reduce cough symptoms. Salted duck eggs should especially be avoided during coughing for two main reasons:

1. Immune function tends to decrease during coughing, and gastrointestinal motility in the digestive system also weakens. Salted duck eggs contain large amounts of protein that are difficult to digest.

2. Salted duck eggs are preserved foods with high salt content and an excessively salty taste. Eating them can promote phlegm production and worsen coughing. Highly salty foods can also irritate the mucous membranes at the site of infection, leading to increased coughing and more phlegm, further aggravating airway inflammatory responses and worsening cough symptoms.

In addition to salted duck eggs, overly sweet or spicy foods and other irritants may also trigger irritating coughs and exacerbate symptoms.

During coughing, it is advisable to consume more foods that moisten the lungs, aiming to alleviate coughing and relieve pulmonary discomfort, such as black fungus (wood ear), white radish, and kelp. Additionally, patients may regularly drink honey water to soothe the throat and moisturize the lungs.