Why is Chicken Soup so good for your Immune System? | PhClinic (2024)

  • Health, News, Nutrition, Recipes, Uncategorized

Did you know that studies have actually been done that have shown an improvement in immunity after chicken soup? It’s not just an old wives tail at all and this ultimate ‘food as medicine’ recipe is perfect to boost your immunity or to help you recover from a cold or flu more quickly. Various studies have found that chicken soup can help to reduce a fever, keep you hydrated and reduce mucous congestion. All important actions when you are fighting off the dreaded cold or flu! Here’s how chicken soup can help your immunity:

Chicken- Chicken is of course the main ingredient in chicken soup, and the chicken can aid your respiratory health. 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.

Onions- Onions contain compounds that reduce mucous congestion, as well as the nutrient quercetin which is a powerful anti-inflammatory to the respiratory tract. It also contains some antibacterial and antibiotic compounds similar to garlic.

Carrots- Carrots are very high in vitamin A, a vitamin that helps to enhance the health of the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract. A healthy mucous membrane lining makes it less likely that germs can adhere to your respiratory tract walls. Carrots also contain good levels of vitamin C, which along with vitamin A will boost immunity.

Celery- Celery contains high levels of vitamin A, C, E and the mineral zinc, and all of these are important immune nutrients. It is also great blood tonic and has antispasmodic qualities which are great for lung infections.

Sage and thyme- These two herbs add potent antibacterial and antimicrobial activity to your chicken soup, making them a tasty addition that also fights your infection.

Chilli- Chilli helps to thin mucous, enabling you to clear out mucous and unblock your sinuses. It is also a great diaphoretic and circulatory stimulant to help break a fever.

Himalayan or Celtic sea salt- Minerals in good quality salt provide a good source of electrolytes to keep you hydrated while unwell.

Pepper- Pepper is a circulatory stimulant and diaphoretic to induce sweating and clear blocked sinuses.

Traditional Chicken & Vegetable soup

Ingredients
1.2kg whole chicken or 800g chicken breast- preferably organic
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic clove, chopped
1 leek, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrot, chopped
1 parsnip, chopped
1 swede, chopped
2 sprigs parsley
3 sprigs thyme
1 tablespoon chopped sage leaves
Chilli- add as much as you can handle!
2 litres water
Olive oil
Celtic or himalayan salt
Black pepper

Method
Remove the skin and any fat from the chicken, wash thoroughly and set aside. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onion, garlic, leek, celery, carrot, parsnip and swede. Cook until a light golden brown. Add the chicken, parsley, thyme, sage, chilli, water, salt and pepper. Bring to the boil.
Turn down the heat and cook for 1½ hours. If using a whole chicken- take out the chicken once cooked and remove the meat from the bones. Break into small chunks and return the chicken to saucepan, discarding the bones. Can add brown rice or barley if you prefer a thicker consistency.

Serves 6 generously.

Enjoy!

Written by Hayley

Hayley is our Naturopath at pH Clinic and also a mum of 2 young boys – she understands the juggle of busy family life! Hayley’s passions are helping support you through all aspects of a healthy family life and treats women, men, babies, kids and adolescents. She has 12 years experience as a clinical naturopath and loves to help her patients understand how lifestyle and diet can affect your body (in both a positive and negative way).

Hayley works a full day on Wednesdays and every second Saturday. To book in with Hayley please call 0420 644 852 or email her here.

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Why is Chicken Soup so good for your Immune System? | PhClinic (2024)

FAQs

Why is Chicken Soup so good for your Immune System? | PhClinic? ›

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.

Does chicken soup boost the immune system? ›

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.

Why does chicken soup help when you're sick? ›

“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.

Why is chicken soup anti-inflammatory? ›

Renard et al. (2000) found that chicken soup inhibited the migration of neutrophils, thus showing anti-inflammatory activity.

What are the benefits of eating chicken soup? ›

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.

Is chicken soup like an antibiotic? ›

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.

Does chicken soup fight infection? ›

Chicken provides the body with a complete source of protein to combat infection. Vegetables supply a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. If prepared the American way, noodles provide an easily digestible source of carbohydrate that your body uses for energy and recovery.

Is chicken soup antiviral? ›

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.

Why does chicken broth make you feel better? ›

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 chicken soup considered medicinal? ›

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.

Why do I feel better after eating chicken noodle soup? ›

According to the study, undertaken by Nebraska Medical Center, chicken soup achieves these results by inhibiting something known as neutrophil chemotaxis. Basically, white blood cells behave differently after chicken soup, resulting in added anti-inflammatory activity.

What soup is good for respiratory infections? ›

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.

Does chicken soup boost immune system? ›

Whether it's your soul or your upper respiratory tract that needs healing, there's a reason chicken soup comes out on top. Research shows that chicken soup carries immunity-boosting benefits thanks to a mild anti-inflammatory effect found in the broth.

Why is soup so healing? ›

This may be due to the numerous nutrients involved in increasing immune defenses, which dissolve in water while cooking chicken in broth, including essential amino acids, water-soluble B vitamins, minerals such as iron, selenium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, which not only from meat, but also from bones, skin ...

Is it okay to eat chicken soup everyday? ›

Hence, a bowl of chicken soup can be a great addition in your daily diet. Other key ingredients in a chicken soup include onions, garlic and additional vegetables that add flavour and a healthy dose of important nutrients that is needed for a well-functioning immune system.

Does chicken boost your immune system? ›

Chicken. Chicken meat is an excellent source of vitamin B-6, which is involved in various chemical processes that take place in the body. In addition, stock or broth from boiling chicken bones has some beneficial nutrients. For instance, gelatin and chondroitin help repair the gut and strengthen the immune system.

Which foods increase immunity? ›

Consuming foods high in vitamin C such as grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, sweet red pepper, broccoli, strawberries, kale, and kiwifruit are thought to increase white blood cell production, which is key to fighting infection.

Does chicken bone broth boost immunity? ›

"Bone broth is rich in amino acids, which the immune system is dependent on to function properly. Amino acids regulate the immune system and are needed to produce antibodies that fight infection," she explains. She also adds that some amino acids have antiviral properties, such as proline.

Is chicken soup good for the lungs? ›

' According to similar learning of research and new learning, 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, which in turn can work to improve respiratory passages.

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