Dear Vocalisters:
Ice cream does not glop up the vocal folds. The vocal folds are not in contact with the food we eat unless we experience an extreme coughing to clear that area. Contrary to many old wives tales what one eats does not directly affect the vocal folds either positively or negatively. Sucking lemons will not, for example, clear the vocal folds. To repeat, the vocal folds do not come in contact with the food we eat. They are, however, one of the last lines of defense to keep food out of the lungs and for this reason they will trigger a cough to move the offending food back into the mouth for proper swallowing.
However, some people experience an increase in the creation of phlegm from dairy products and, within a period of time after eating said products will have more than the usual amount of phlegm to contend with.
-- Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA Professor of Voice, Pedagogy School of Performing Arts Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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