Can chicken broth really make you feel better when you have a cold? Doctors are responsible
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According to tradition, chicken broth is prepared for patients with a cold. Like, he will help to improve well-being.
However, scientists have not really researched the health effects of this dish. Only a 2000 laboratory study is known to have found that chicken soup may have anti-inflammatory properties for colds and flu. Scientists from the University of Nebraska, who conducted the original study, revisited this topic in 2021, writes Health.
“I haven’t found many other studies that highlight the specific benefits of chicken broth for cold recovery“, says Doctor of Medical Sciences Alice Pike from the USA.
So is the broth really as helpful as they think it is?
| Photo: agneskantaruk/Depositphotos |
What can make chicken soup “healing”?
Like any multi-ingredient food, the health benefits of chicken broth depend on its ingredients. A typical broth consists of water, chicken, and a small amount of vegetables such as carrots, garlic, onions, and celery.
According to Dr. Amanda Sauceda, the ingredients in chicken soup contain vitamins and antioxidants that can promote the body’s natural healing process. Carrots are a source of vitamin A, which is important for the health of the immune system, as well as for the gastrointestinal tract. She also pointed to a 2021 study that found carrots useful in the treatment of rhinovirus infection (a viral illness from the SARS group that is characterized by acute rhinitis (runny nose).
According to Alice Pike, even the liquid in chicken broth can be beneficial. After all, during an illness, the body is prone to dehydration, so eating water-based food will be beneficial.
Also, if a person is losing electrolytes due to a gastrointestinal illness, chicken broth can restore them – it is rich in sodium – 924 milligrams per mug.
And chicken bone broth contains even higher levels of certain electrolytes, such as potassium, phosphorus, and chloride.
Is chicken soup really anti-inflammatory?
A prominent study of chicken soup in 2000 focused on its effects on inflammation.
“A 2000 study basically found that chicken soup inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis. (Chemotaxis – the mechanism by which cells move in response to a chemical stimulus. Neutrophils – cells of the immune system, which are important for protection against infections). That is, patients could temporarily breathe easier“, said Alice Pike.
According to the study, all the vegetables and meat in the broth had this “inhibitory effect.”
How to get the most out of chicken soup
Some store-bought soups may contain excessive amounts of sodium. According to Amanda Sauceda, excessive salt consumption has a negative effect on blood pressure and can irritate the intestines. Therefore, it is better to cook chicken soup at home, using a lot of vegetables.
“Recovery from illness is usually partly physical and partly mental, so even though there is little evidence for the benefits of chicken soup, there is a positive side to eating warm soup. That warmth, steam, and good taste (bonus if someone made this dish for you) is sure to make you feel a little better, even if it won’t completely cure your cold“, concluded Alisa Pike.
Read also: How to treat a cold? Recommendations of NSZU
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