No-nonsense Nutrients: Another Reason Chicken Soup Is Good for You
In addition to being a good source of vitamins and minerals, chicken noodle soup has a moderate amount of fat and carbohydrates. The various roles that each ingredient plays in explaining how chicken soup relieves a cold In the following section, we’ll examine each one in detail.
Chicken Noodle Soup Benefits
It helps to understand the health benefits of each ingredient in chicken soup to understand why it’s good for you.
In the section above, we discussed the two health benefits of chicken broth: its heat and its hydrating properties. But there’s more this magical soup component has to offer.
A whole chicken, including its bones, is simmered to make traditional chicken broth. Bone broth has a number of beneficial nutrients that are directly related to recovery. One of the main components of the digestive system, gelatine and glucosamine, protects and repairs the lining of the digestive tract, which is why it can be crucial when flu symptoms cause the GI system to become upset. When coupled with chondroitin, another nutrient, these broth ingredients aid in the restoration of the body’s connective tissue while lowering inflammation.
To emphasize the importance of staying hydrated, chicken broth contains salt and electrolytes that aid in fluid retention in addition to hydrating the body. Additionally, soup cleared airways more effectively than cold or hot water alone, according to a 1978 study published in the journal Chest.
The recipe’s name prioritizes chicken, and for good reason. Indeed, it is a good source of protein, which is necessary for both muscle growth and repair. But chicken has a lot of health benefits, which makes chicken soup.
Tryptophan is a substance that’s often associated with the “turkey coma” that occurs after Thanksgiving dinner. Tryptophan from chicken, like from turkey, is used by the body to produce melatonin, which promotes sleep, and serotonin, which calms anxiety and elevates mood. For both of these reasons—you genuinely experience a physiological sense of comfort—chicken soup is linked to comfort food.
Additionally, the liver uses tryptophan to produce niacin, or vitamin B3, which is necessary for energy metabolism. But we’re not stopping there. Natural amino acid cysteine shares chemical similarities with a medication that is prescribed to treat respiratory infections and bronchitis. Zinc, found in chicken, is a key immunity ingredient. Additionally, chicken contains a substance called carnosine, which reduces inflammation and helps relieve stuffiness and congestion.
Veggies in Chicken Soup
Quality chicken soup doesn’t skimp on vegetables. Conventional recipes call for celery, onions, and carrots; however, some variations also include broccoli, kale, and dark leafy vegetables like spinach. Because they are rich in phytonutrients, all of these enhance flavor and are necessary for a healthy immune system. Antioxidants, minerals, vitamins C and K, and vitamins aid in the body’s defense against viruses and aid in the healing process.
