Sometimes chicken soup is just what you need to feel better, whether you’re sick or just want something comforting. But ever wonder just how nutritious this comfort food really is? Let’s take a closer look at its ingredients and explore the health benefits that make chicken soup a beloved staple in many households.
Especially when it comes to treating a cold or the flu, hydration is important. Staying hydrated is a daily necessity, as water and other fluids keep all systems in your body functioning properly. Fluids carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells, aid digestion, prevent constipation, normalize blood pressure, regulate body temperature and maintain electrolyte (sodium) balance, to name a few. Chicken broth, a clear liquid, counts towards your hydration goals. Nutritionally, it’s rich in:
Chicken, which is one of the most popular white meats, is a great source of lean, low-fat protein that helps bones stay healthy and muscles grow. Chicken can also help support a healthy body weight as well as weight loss, and provide:
Chicken, like turkey, has a lot of tryptophan, an important amino acid that helps your body make serotonin, the hormone that keeps your mood, feelings of well-being, and happiness stable.
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
In addition to hydration, chicken soup contains a variety of vitamins minerals, and other nutrients that support immunity
-
Protein from the chicken replenishes the immune system and provides the body with energy.
-
Vitamin A in carrots promotes healthy mucous membranes.
-
Vitamin C in onions and celery helps fight infection.
-
Zinc in chicken boosts the immune response.
-
Sodium in broth helps prevent dehydration.
Combined, these nutrients pack a powerful punch that helps strengthen the body to ward off viruses and bacteria more effectively. Eating chicken soup gives your immune cells the tools they need to overcome illness.
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
When you’re battling an illness, keeping nutrients down can be a challenge. Chicken soup contains hearty protein from the chicken, plus vegetables and noodles that provide carbs for energy. These ingredients are easy on the stomach and get broken 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 savory and salty taste helps your digestive system work better and satisfies your cravings without making your stomach upset. Making chicken soup is an easy way to eat a healthy meal when you need it the 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.
The power of meal choice is yours with Mom’s Meals®
Mom’s Meals® can help
Knowing the nutrients behind the foods we eat is essential for ensuring our bodies are getting what we need to stay healthy.
You have tasty choices to make. Mom’s Meals offers nine condition-specific menus for people with chronic conditions as well as selections for maintaining general health. Each delicious meal is designed by registered dietitians and professional chefs and created in USDA- and FDA-inspected facilities — providing the highest level of compliance with federal regulations governing food production.
Chicken soup and its amazing health benefits
FAQ
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 long been used as a home remedy for cold and flu, and some scientific evidence indicates that the soup could be anti-inflammatory. Here’s what to know about the health benefits of chicken soup and why it might make you feel better when you’re sick.
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. There may be more to chicken soup than the sum of its parts, says Amanda Sauceda, RDN, a lecturer at California State University, Long Beach.
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, vegetables, and noodles are all low in calories, so the soup is also low in calories. This makes it a great dish for people who are trying to lose 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.
What are the health benefits of chicken soup?
Chicken soup is widely known for its comfort and healing properties, especially during illness. It offers a variety of health benefits, including boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation, easing congestion, and providing hydration and essential 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!