[Chicken soup as a therapy can be traced back to 60 A.D. army
surgeon whose five-volume medical encyclopedia was consulted by early
healers for more than a millennium. But the origins of chicken soup go
back thousands of years to ancient China.]
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PORTSIDE CULTURE

DOES CHICKEN SOUP REALLY HELP WHEN YOU’RE SICK? A NUTRITION
SPECIALIST EXPLAINS WHAT’S BEHIND THE BELOVED COMFORT FOOD  
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Colby Teeman
October 20, 2023
The Conversation
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_ Chicken soup as a therapy can be traced back to 60 A.D. army
surgeon whose five-volume medical encyclopedia was consulted by early
healers for more than a millennium. But the origins of chicken soup go
back thousands of years to ancient China. _

,

 

Preparing a bowl of chicken soup for a loved one when they’re sick
has been a common practice throughout the world for centuries. Today,
generations from virtually every culture swear to the benefits
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chicken soup. In the U.S., the dish is typically made with noodles,
but different cultures prepare the soothing remedy their own way
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Chicken soup as a therapy can be traced back to 60 A.D. and Pedanius
Dioscorides [[link removed]], an army
surgeon who served under the Roman emperor Nero, and whose five-volume
medical encyclopedia was consulted by early healers for more than a
millennium. But the origins of chicken soup go back thousands of years
earlier, to ancient China
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So, with cold and flu season in full swing
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it’s worth asking: Is there any science to back the belief that it
helps? Or does chicken soup serve as just a comforting placebo, that
is, providing psychological benefit while we’re sick, without an
actual therapeutic benefit?

As a registered dietitian and professor of dietetics and nutrition
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well aware of the appeal of chicken soup: the warmth of the broth and
the rich, savory flavors of the chicken, vegetables and noodles. What
gives the soup that distinctive taste is “umami
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– the fifth category of taste sensations, along with sweet, salty,
sour and bitter. It is often described as having a “meaty” taste
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MAY REDUCE INFLAMMATION AND STUFFY NOSE

Inflammation
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part of the body’s natural response to injury or illness
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inflammation occurs when white blood cells migrate to inflamed tissue
to assist with healing. When this inflammatory process occurs in the
upper airway, it results in common cold and flu symptoms
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such as a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, coughing and thickened
mucus. 

Conversely, lower white blood cell activity in the nasal passages can
reduce inflammation. And interestingly, research shows that chicken
soup can in fact lower the number of white blood cells traveling to
inflamed tissues [[link removed]]. It does
this by directly inhibiting the ability of neutrophils
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type of white blood cell, to travel to the inflamed tissue. 

KEY INGREDIENTS

To truly understand the soothing and healing effects of chicken soup,
it’s important to consider the soup’s ingredients. Not all chicken
soups are packed with nutritious healing properties. For instance, the
ultraprocessed canned versions of chicken soup, both with and without
noodles, lack many of the antioxidants found in homemade versions.
Most canned versions of chicken soup are nearly devoid of hearty
vegetables.

The core nutrients
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homemade versions of the soup are what set these varieties apart from
canned versions. 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. 

Even the warmth of chicken soup can help. Drinking the liquid and
inhaling the vapors increase the temperature of nasal and respiratory
passages, which loosens the thick mucus
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respiratory illnesses. Compared with hot water alone, studies show
chicken soup is more effective at loosening mucus
[[link removed](15)37387-6]. 

The herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper
and garlic, also loosen mucus
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The broth, which contains water and electrolytes, helps with
rehydration. 

So, to maximize the health benefits of chicken soup, I recommend a
homemade variety, which can be prepared with carrots, celery, fresh
garlic, herbs and spices, to name a few ingredients. But if you need a
more convenient option, look at the ingredients and nutrition facts
label, and choose soups with a variety of vegetables over an
ultraprocessed, nutrient-depleted kind. 

In short, the latest science suggests that chicken soup – though not
an out-and-out cure for colds and flu – really helps with healing.
Looks like Grandma was right again.

COLBY TEEMAN
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Assistant Professor of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Dayton

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Colby Teeman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive
funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this
article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their
academic appointment.

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