Phlegm – sounds a bit gross, right? But this slimy substance is a star player in defending your body, storing enough to fill half a two-liter bottle of soda every day.

If you’re looking for relief from excess phlegm buildup, there are several effective ways to reduce mucus and improve your respiratory health.

Phlegm is a type of mucus produced by the respiratory tract. It’s thicker and stickier than the regular mucus found in your nose, specifically designed to trap irritants like dust, bacteria, and allergens. While the exact amount your body makes isn’t known, most experts think it’s about one liter a day,” which is enough to fill half a two-liter bottle of soda, according to laryngologist Paul C. Bryson.

And, when you’re healthy, phlegm does its job silently. However, during illness, it multiplies, thickens, and demands attention. Think of it as your body going into overdrive to protect and heal itself.

Luckily, there are ways we can reduce phlegm buildup and breathe easier!