We’ve all heard the old adage about chicken soup doubling as medicine — but can it really help alleviate cold symptoms, especially now in the fall and with winter up ahead?
Fox News Digital reached out to experts for their input on whether this age-old comfort food has some healing powers.
While it won’t actually cure a cold, chicken noodle soup may help to alleviate some of the symptoms that come along withhaving a cold or flu, said Kara Collier, a registered dietitian nutritionist and co-founder of Nutrisense in Chicago.
“The veggies and seasonings, like garlic and herbs, that go into chicken soup can also provide important minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids that help support our body’s immune system,” she told Fox News Digital.
“In particular, chicken is an excellent source of the amino acid cysteine, which has been shown to help thin mucus and help you manage cold and flu symptoms.”
The broth that serves as the base of chicken soup can also provide fluids and electrolytes that help the body fight off infections, Collier noted.
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“Your regular hydration strategies may not be appetizing or may not meet your enhanced needs when you’re feeling unwell, so having something that is soothing and easy to consume makes a difference,” she said.
“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.
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“Chicken soup can be an easy and soothing way to get in some protein, carbs, and veggies when we’re otherwise limited,” said Collier.
Dr. Andrew Petersen, a physician withForum Health in Utah, noted that chicken broth is full of proteins and peptides that can provide an energy boost for adequate immune function.
“A healthy homemade chicken soup typically has some vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions,” he told Fox News Digital.
“In a soup, these ingredients are well-cooked and therefore easy to digest, which is important when a person is sick.”
Between the amino acids and B vitamins found in the broth and the vitamins and minerals in the veggies, chicken soup is a good choice to help someone recover more quickly from a cold or flu, said Peterson.
“It is much more likely to be helpful than a simple carbohydrate meal with excess sugars that would exacerbate the inflammation that is caused by theviral illness,” he said.
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Other foods that help with colds and flu
Beyond chicken soup, Collier named several other foods that may help to relieve cold and flu symptoms:
Any broths are beneficial due to the fluid and electrolytes — particularly bone broth, which also contains collagen and amino acids that help to support healing.
Citrus fruits contain micronutrients they offer, specifically vitamin C to support immunity.
Other fruits, like bananas and berries, contain fiber, minerals, and antioxidants.
Garlic and ginger help to support immune function.
Omega-3 fatty acid sources, such as salmon, help to reduce inflammation.
Fluids like hot teas act as a natural decongestant.
One thing to consider is that glucose levels tend to be higher when someone isfeeling unwell, Collier noted.
“When we’re ill, our body releases a hormone cascade that helps to enhance our immune response,” she said.
“This hormone shift causes us to make more glucose and be slightly less insulin-sensitive. While this is important for fighting infections, it often leads to those higher-than-normal glucose values.”
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In light of that, she recommends being conscious of the amount of carbs and sugary drinks you’re consuming when sick.
“If you can, keep the noodles in your chicken noodle soup balanced by adding in lots of chicken and veggies, and try pairing your fruits with some protein to keep glucose (and energy levels) stable,” said Collier.
“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.
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. The steam from chicken soup may open up congested noses and throats.
According to a study, chicken soup can help clear mucus from nasal passages and relieve congestion better than other hot liquids. Actually, any hot liquid helps clear stuffy heads more than cold liquid, but chicken soup “worked better” than hot water.
Chicken soup has long been used as a home remedy for cold and flu. Some scientific evidence indicates that the soup could be anti-inflammatory. Though research is scant, experts say chicken soup is worth a try when you're sick.
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.
The bottom line. Think of chicken soup as supportive care—meaning it's one thing you do to make you feel a bit better while your body fights the virus—not a cure for it. As the CHEST study notes, potential antiviral benefits vary widely between brands, says Parikh.
While it won't actually cure a cold, chicken noodle soup may help to alleviate some of the symptoms that come along with having a cold or flu, said Kara Collier, a registered dietitian nutritionist and co-founder of Nutrisense in Chicago.
Plant-based foods – Plant-based soups, salads, and smoothies are vital additions for those battling mucus. Some veggies and fruits, including leafy greens, tomatoes, onions, grapes, blueberries, and cherries, contain quercetin. This pigment is a powerful anti-histamine, which reduces phlegm and other allergy symptoms.
Thai red curry noodle soup. A bit of spice may be just what the doctor ordered to clear your sinuses. When made with red pepper, the red curry paste in this zippy soup contains capsaicin, a compound known for breaking up mucus.
Drinking enough liquids, especially warm ones can help with mucus flow. Water and other liquids can loosen your congestion by helping your mucus move. Try sipping liquids, like juice, clear broths, and soup. Other good liquid choices include decaffeinated tea, warm fruit juice, and lemon water.
Chicken contains an amino acid cysteine which has been shown to reduce and break up mucous congestion in the lungs. Garlic- Garlic is a must in a chicken soup as nature's best natural antibiotic and antibacterial agent to help your body fight infection and get better quickly.
Known to all, chicken is considered to be a great source of protein and amino acids that are really good for the growth of muscles and other tissues. Hence, a bowl of chicken soup can be a great addition in your daily diet.
Like the classic chicken noodle soup, this gluten-free alternative contains powerful antioxidants and nourishing ingredients to quell an upset stomach. Not only is it the best soup for when you're sick with an upset stomach, but it helps fight off the common cold, too.
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.
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.
The steam from chicken soup may open up congested noses and throats. Soup also provides fluid, which thins mucus and helps prevent dehydration. Chicken soup is believed to contain an amino acid that is similar to a drug used to treat some respiratory infections.
One notable study showed that chicken soup diminishes the presence of white blood cells associated with inflammation in upper respiratory conditions that often plague cold sufferers, suggesting that it encourages a more effective immune response and helps symptoms clear up quicker.
It's critical to understand that while chicken noodle soup won't cure a cold, it can help your child feel better. It is also important to remember that it is not a substitute for medicine or medical advice. If your child feeling sick, it's always best to contact their pediatrician first.
Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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