January is National Soup Month, a time to celebrate the savory broths that keep us warm throughout the winter. Several soups are healthy options with unique benefits of their own, but one sticks out among the rest as the champion of cold and flu season. It’s not just a myth either—there is a science to prove that a bowl of chicken noodle soup could boost your health this winter.
The science
There are many recipes for chicken soup, but most traditional types contain certain essential ingredients such as onions and carrots that create an impactful combination. According to researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Chicken soup acts as an anti-inflammatory agent for your nasal cells, giving your nose relief in cold, dry weather or through seasonal illness. Onions, in particular, contain protein, calcium, and sulfur, which decrease swelling and aids in reducing nasal congestion. We know carrots are big proponents of healthy vision. Still, carrots also enable our bodies to produce vitamin A, strengthening our white blood cells and allowing us to better fight off infection.
The main ingredient, chicken, is essential to the make-up of this soup’s healing powers. When chicken cooks in soup, an amino acid called cysteine is released. Cysteine thins mucus in the lungs, aiding in chest decongestion and faster healing. Chicken also provides a great source of protein that is particularly helpful to muscles when your body feels weakened and drained during illness.
On top of physical benefits, chicken soup may also benefit your mood. Chicken is high in tryptophan, another amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin and enhance your mood and aid in a good night’s sleep.
These three may be the base for any robust chicken soup, but it doesn’t stop there. According to research, the more ingredients in your soup, the better. Research found that chicken soup with various veggies can help ease the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, including congestion, stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat. Vegetables are nutrient-dense and often packed with antioxidants to remove toxins from your system. Combined with chicken soup, they make a bowl of immune-boosting magic.
Last but not least, adding some noodles will provide enough carbohydrates to make you feel full while still going easy on your stomach. An upset stomach often accompanies cold and flu symptoms, but light broth with nutrient-dense veggies will be gentle on your stomach while providing adequate nutrition to get you feeling better.
Order a bowl from your favorite local restaurant, or take a shot at cooking your own simple chicken noodle soup.
Most soups have their benefits
It’s hard to go wrong! Hot soups, in general, help keep nasal passages moist, thin out mucus, prevent dehydration, and soothe a sore throat. Any kind of vegetable-dense soup is going to achieve similar effects to chicken soup, though you may miss some of its more unique qualities. Some other healing soups to try are:
- Carrot ginger soup
- White bean and kale soup
- Tomato basil soup
- Butternut squash soup
- Minestrone, or other vegetable soups
Why it matters
A healthy body starts with a healthy diet, and it’s important to consider what you’re eating every day—even when you’re not sick. Visiting Angels Toms River offers meal planning and preparation services to help you develop the right kind of diet for your body. Our caregivers consider all of your health concerns, including chronic diseases, when developing a food plan. Serving The Greater Toms River-Brick area and communities throughout Ocean County, our caregivers offer a variety of services beyond meal management. Reach out today to learn more about home care benefits and the options available to you at (732) 240-1050.
FAQs
When chicken cooks in soup, an amino acid called cysteine is released. Cysteine thins mucus in the lungs, aiding in chest decongestion and faster healing. Chicken also provides a great source of protein that is particularly helpful to muscles when your body feels weakened and drained during illness.
What is chicken soup a good remedy for? ›
Chicken soup has been a popular home remedy for the common cold since at least the 12th century. Eating chicken soup while you have a cold will not do you any harm, but it will not cure your cold. Drinking warm liquids, such as soup, may give you relief from your symptoms for a short time.
What are the healing properties of chicken broth? ›
Boosts immune system: The minerals and amino acids in chicken broth can help strengthen your immune system and reduce inflammation. Supports joint health: The collagen and gelatin found in chicken broth can improve joint health and reduce arthritis-related pain.
Is it good to drink chicken soup everyday? ›
Chicken soup has been used to treat respiratory tract disorders, asthma and facial pain among other ailments. It hastens the removal of pathogens from the nose. Apart from this, a warm bowl of hearty chicken soup during the rains at the comfort of your couch is maybe everything that you need.
Why do doctors recommend chicken soup? ›
Compared with hot water alone, studies show chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus. The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, also loosen mucus. The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with rehydration.
Why is chicken soup anti-inflammatory? ›
Renard et al. (2000) found that chicken soup inhibited the migration of neutrophils, thus showing anti-inflammatory activity.
Does chicken broth heal your gut? ›
Health Benefits Of Chicken Broth
Broth draws the digestive juices into the gut, assisting digestion. It supports the immune system and helps prevent and reduce infections. It's been traditionally used for recovery.
Is chicken broth anti-inflammatory? ›
3. Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouse. Chicken broth also enhances anti-inflammatory capacity thanks to the amino acid glycine. Glycine is closely related to the immune and digestive system, and an important building block for many different acids that keep your body healthy.
Does chicken broth detox your body? ›
Bone broth is a nutrient rich beverage that has amino acids that directly help your body remove harmful toxins and chemicals. The main amino acid responsible for these benefits is glycine. Properly made beef or chicken bone broth has 3-4g of it per cup (225ml or 13 g of powder).
What is the healthiest soup? ›
6 delicious and healthy soups
- Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
- Green spring minestrone.
- Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
- Lamb shank and barley soup.
- Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
- Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
As it does with turkey, the body uses tryptophan from chicken to make melatonin—which can help you rest—and serotonin, the chemical that signals your nerves and makes you feel happy and at ease. Both of these are reasons chicken soup is associated with comfort food: you literally feel a physiological sense of comfort.
Why is soup good for you at night? ›
Keeps You Satiated: Soup can help to keep you satiated, as it is a liquid-based meal that is typically high in water and fibre content. The water and fiber in soup can help to fill you up, making you feel less hungry. Additionally, soup is often low in calories, which can also help to keep you feeling full.
Does chicken soup help you recover? ›
“The warm broth itself may also help to open up congested nasal and throat passages, which helps to better manage cold and flu symptoms.” Also, chicken soup is an easy way to get important micronutrients, macronutrients, and fluids when you're sick and may not have an appetite for other foods.
Does chicken soup have health benefits? ›
All those bits of carrot, celery, and onion commonly found in chicken noodle soup are a great source of vitamins C and K, as well as other antioxidants and minerals. “Not only does this help build a healthy immune system to fight off viruses, it also helps your body recover from illness more quickly,” Allonen says.
What does chicken soup for the soul do? ›
A Chicken Soup for the Soul story is an inspirational, true story about ordinary people having extraordinary experiences. It is a story that opens the heart and rekindles the spirit. It is a simple piece that touches our readers and helps them discover basic principles they can use in their own lives.
What is the science behind chicken soup? ›
Modern research has actually shown that chicken soup, more than other hot liquid, increases mucus flow and helps the body rid itself of the cold virus. Chicken is rich in an amino acid called cysteine which helps loosen secretions. This effect is increased by adding spices such as pepper and garlic.
