Why Is Chicken Noodle Soup Good for a Cold?
A large bowl of chicken soup may help reduce nasal congestion, according to studies. Additionally, it has a slight anti-inflammatory effect that may lessen the symptoms of a cold.
The wonderful nutrients in chicken noodle soup make it a great fallback for chilly winter days. The ingredients taste fantastic, are easy to digest, and soothe the throat.
What Are the Best Foods to Eat When You Are Sick?
In addition to soup, the following foods and beverages are beneficial to consume when ill:
- Yogurt. It is rich in probiotics and protein, both of which can strengthen your immune system.
- Sugar-free cold cereal or oatmeal. They’re easy to digest and provide carbs for energy.
- Smoothies with frozen fruit and any kind of milk. They easily replace a meal and are highly hydrating.
- Fresh, frozen, or canned fruit (packed in 100% juice). Fruit gives you fiber to keep your digestive system moving and antioxidants and vitamin C to support your immune system.
- 100% fruit juice or tea. These are good choices for hydration.
Editors’ Note: The last review of this article was completed on and it was first published on Refreshed Feb. 23, 2022.
There are numerous theories of how chicken soup helps ward off the sniffles. One study found that sipping on hot chicken soup helped clear stuffy noses, but the study found it was effective only for a few minutes and that it wasn’t any more effective than sipping on hot water.
Other theories claim that chicken soup helps keep you hydrated and soothes a sore throat. But a recent study from the University of Nebraska found that chicken soup may contain anti-inflammatory substances that could help alleviate a cold.
Another comfort food that’s frequently given to sick children is chicken soup. Both adults and children may benefit emotionally and psychologically from a steaming bowl of soup.
Jewish scholars have praised chicken soup’s healing properties for a range of illnesses, including the common cold, since the 12th century. Even now, when you’re sick in bed, someone has brought you a steaming hot bowl of soup or reminded you of its benefits. Do folktales about the health benefits of chicken soup truly exist, or is there a more plausible way to treat a cold?
Various vegetables and stock or broth are used to make chicken soup. The chicken bones are cooked for several hours in a stock. This allows minerals like magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and seepage into the liquid stock. Since a broth is usually made solely of meat, these same minerals won’t be present in it. However, don’t undervalue broth’s nutritional value; it’s still packed with minerals like phosphorus and selenium. Naturally, a range of vegetables are used to make stocks and soups, including celery, onions, carrots, leeks, parsnips, and turnips; all of these vegetables’ minerals seep into the liquid.
