Whether you’re feeling under the weather or simply craving the soothing concoction, chicken soup may be your perfect solution. Yet, have you ever thought about how healthy this comfort food really is? Let’s take a closer look at what goes into chicken soup and see why it’s so popular in many homes.
Especially when it comes to treating a cold or the flu, hydration is important. Every day, you need to stay hydrated because water and other fluids keep all of your body’s systems working right. Fluids help your body digest food, keep you from getting constipated, keep your blood pressure normal, keep your body temperature stable, and keep the balance of electrolytes (sodium), just to name a few. Chicken broth, a clear liquid, counts towards your hydration goals. Nutritionally, it’s rich in:
Probably the most popular of all white meats, chicken is an excellent source of lean, low-fat protein that contributes to muscle growth and development, and bone health. Chicken can also help support a healthy body weight as well as weight loss, and provide:
Like turkey, chicken is also high in tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps your body produce serotonin, the key hormone that stabilizes your mood, feelings of well-being and happiness.
The best chicken soup recipes are chock-full of veggies like carrots, celery and onions — all of which are rich in vitamins C and K, not to mention other antioxidants and minerals.
Chicken soup wouldn’t be the same without the noodles! These hearty strands are packed with carbohydrates — an important energy source that helps fuel your brain, kidneys, heart muscles and central nervous system.
Carbohydrates provide the body with glucose, which is converted to energy used to support bodily functions and physical activity. Of course, carbohydrate quality is important — if you’re making chicken soup from scratch, choose whole grain noodles over white pasta.
While obviously not an ingredient, the steam from hot chicken soup can help increase blood flow and decrease the nasal congestion often experienced from a cold or the flu. So, while it won’t cure your infection, it may help you breathe easier. Steam also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect that can help relax your muscles and soothe the coughs and discomforts associated with cold and flu symptoms.
Chicken soup is not only a comforting dish but can also be a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. Whether youre enjoying a bowl when youre feeling under the weather or as a hearty meal, chicken soup remains a timeless remedy that can nourish both body and soul.
Chicken soup has long been regarded as a magical elixir for colds flu, and other illnesses. This hearty comforting dish seems to have an almost mystical ability to make us feel better when we’re under the weather. But is there any science behind chicken soup’s legendary curative powers? As it turns out, yes! Chicken soup provides a variety of health benefits that make it the perfect food to help fight off those nasty bugs.
The Hydrating Power of Chicken Soup
One of the primary reasons chicken soup is so good when you’re sick is that it helps hydrate the body. When you have a fever, cold, or flu, you can become dehydrated very quickly. Drinking plenty of fluids is key to recovery, but this can be difficult when you have no appetite or a sore throat.
Chicken soup, being warm and brothy, provides an easy way to get hydrated The liquid goes down smoothly, and the saltiness actually encourages you to drink more. This hydrating effect helps thin out mucus, prevent headaches, stabilize body temperature, and allow the body to function optimally to fight off the illness
Nutrient Content Boosts Immunity
Chicken soup not only keeps you hydrated, but it also has many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are good for your immune system.
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Protein from the chicken replenishes the immune system and provides the body with energy.
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Vitamin A in carrots promotes healthy mucous membranes.
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Vitamin C in onions and celery helps fight infection.
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Zinc in chicken boosts the immune response.
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Sodium in broth helps prevent dehydration.
When taken together, these nutrients are very strong and help the body fight off viruses and bacteria more effectively. When you eat chicken soup, it helps your immune cells fight off sickness.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties Reduce Symptoms
Studies have shown that chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties that help ease cold and flu symptoms. Ingredients like chicken, garlic, and onions contain compounds that reduce inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and lungs. This can help relieve congestion, coughing, sore throat pain, and other common illness side effects.
The anti-inflammatory activity of chicken soup also helps lower fever, allowing the body to conserve energy and recover more quickly. Pretty impressive for a simple bowl of soup!
Warmth and Steam Clear Congestion
Have you ever noticed how eating something hot and steamy seems to immediately clear your stuffed up nose and congested head? The heat and vapor from chicken soup work quickly to break up mucus, open airways, improve sinus drainage, and restore normal breathing.
This temporary decongestant effect provides immediate relief, allowing you to breathe and sleep better. The comfort of warm soup also soothes sore throats, eases coughs, and calms respiratory irritation.
Supports Healthy Digestion
For people who are sick, it can be hard to keep nutrients down. The chicken in chicken soup gives it a lot of hearty protein, and the vegetables and noodles give you energy-giving carbs. These things are easy on the stomach and break down quickly.
The soup broth also helps replenish electrolytes and provides fluids that aid digestion. This helps calm upset stomachs and promotes the absorption of nutrients to restore health.
An Easy, Appealing Meal When Appetite is Low
It’s common for appetite to disappear when you’re sick. But getting good nutrition is important for recovery. Chicken soup is often one of the only foods that sounds appealing when nothing else tempts your taste buds.
The salty, savory flavor gets those digestive juices flowing, and it satisfies cravings without upsetting your unsettled tummy. Chicken soup gives you an easy way to get a nutritious meal in when you need nourishment most.
So the next time you’re feeling under the weather, reach for some chicken soup. Science confirms this classic home remedy really does contain healing properties that can help you get back on your feet faster. Chicken soup’s combination of hydration, nutrition, and comfort make it a true elixir for mind, body, and soul.
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Chicken soup and its amazing health benefits
FAQ
What are the health benefits of chicken soup?
Chicken soup is widely known for its comfort and healing properties, especially during illness. It is good for your health in many ways, like making your immune system stronger, lowering inflammation, clearing up congestion, and giving you water and important nutrients.
What is the healthiest soup you can eat?
6 delicious and healthy soupsChicken 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.
Why is chicken soup so good for you when you’re sick?
Chicken soup helps by being easily digestible while providing vitamins and protein. The warmth of the soup can help ease a sore or scratchy throat. Also, chicken contains a lot of carnosine, a compound that has been found to help loosen congestion.
Is chicken soup good for your gut?
Chicken soup is full of nutritious ingredients that SUPPORT your immune function. Also, chicken soup is known to help the digestive system (and we all know that a big part of our immune system is in our gut!). And, would you believe it, research also shows that it may help brain health too!
Why should you eat chicken soup?
Eating chicken soup inhibits their migration to the site of the infection, resulting in less inflammation and less symptoms. Stuffiness associated with the common cold, certain flu viruses or other respiratory infections of bacterial or viral causes, even allergies can be corrected and improved in a matter of minutes by eating chicken soup.
Does chicken soup make you feel better when you’re sick?
Chicken soup has been used for a long time to treat colds and flu, and some scientific evidence suggests that it may also help with pain. Find out why chicken soup might help you feel better when you’re sick and how it can be good for you.
Is chicken soup healthy?
The typical soup comes together with chicken broth, chicken meat, and a smattering of savory vegetables and alliums like carrots, garlic, onions, and celery. According to Amanda Sauceda, RDN, a lecturer at California State University, Long Beach, these healthy elements may make chicken soup more than the sum of its parts.
Is chicken soup good for your gut health?
Gelatin helps improve the gut lining and can promote overall gut healing, making chicken soup a gentle option for those with digestive issues. Chicken soup also contains nutrients that support healthy gut flora, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion and overall health. 4. Comfort Food for Mental Well-Being
Is chicken soup good for weight loss?
And the fact that chicken soup is half water also contributes to curbing hunger and satiating. The chicken, the vegetables and the noodles are low-calorie which makes the chicken soup also low in calories which makes it a rather perfect dish for losing weight.
Is chicken soup anti-inflammatory?
Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years of experience in consumer-facing health and wellness content. 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.