12 Ways Chicken Soup is Magic Medicine
That chicken soup is magic medicine was known as far back as the 12th century, when it was extolled for its ability to relieve respiratory symptoms caused by the common cold. More recently Stephen Rennard, MD, proved that chicken soup helps break up congestion and eases the flow of nasal secretions. It also inhibits the white blood cells that otherwise would respond to the cold virus by triggering inflammation, making your nose stuffy and your throat sore.
“In other words, it has the same action as Tylenol or an aspirin would,” “says Patty Quinlisk, MD. “It basically stops the immune systems from overreacting.”
Despite the growing body of knowledge about its miraculous effects, scientists have yet to determine what exactly about chicken soup is so incredibly soothing when you’re suffering from a cold. Here are twelve of the many theories regarding what makes chicken soup magic medicine.
It’s the chicken
The protein in chicken contains the amino acid cysteine, which is related to acetylcysteine, a drug used to loosen thick mucus clogging the airways in patients suffering from bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. Cysteine released by chicken into the broth thins accumulated mucus, making it easier to cough up. Furthermore, cysteine, along with two other amino acids in chicken protein (glutamic acid and glycine) create the powerful anti-oxidant glutathione. Among its many other benefits, glutathione enhances the body’s immune function.
Chicken is also high in the amino acid tryptophan, which helps your body produce serotonin. The hormone serotonin lifts your mood to make you feel less grumpy about not feeling well. It also helps you sleep better.
It’s the onions
Onions are among many foods containing the flavonoid quercetin, a powerful anti-oxidant, as well as a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory. Quercetin has many uses as a medication, including boosting energy and fighting viral infections. Red onions are among the best natural sources of quercetin.
It’s the garlic
Garlic is well known to have broad-spectrum anti-microbial properties. Studies have indicated that eating garlic can reduce the duration of a cold. Not only that, but garlic’s ability to boost the immune system has the potential to reduce the frequency and number of colds you do get. Garlic also contains small amounts of a large number of nutrients the body needs to maintain health.
It’s the herbs and spices
The salt, herbs, and spices in chicken soup enhance its flavor to make it more appealing when a cold dulls your taste buds. A small amount of salt makes soup taste better. Pepper alleviates phlegm. Thyme also helps clear mucus to ease coughing. Sage eases coughs plus soothes a sore throat. Basil helps reduce fever. Basil, oregano, rosemary, parsley, ginger, and turmeric are all high in disease-fighting anti-oxidants.
It’s the carrots
Carrots are a terrific natural source of beta-carotene. The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, or retinol, which is essential for maintaining healthy mucous membranes that prevent disease-causing microbes from entering your body. Retinol also improves the ability of white blood cells to fight infection by destroying harmful bacteria and viruses.
It’s the celery
Celery is high in anti-oxidants, including vitamin C, which helps keep your immune system healthy, and magnesium, which soothes the nervous system to help you fight a cold by letting you get a good night’s sleep. Celery also contains lots of natural chemicals collectively known as phytonutrients, which have anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate lung infection.
It’s the noodles
Well, not everybody puts noodles in chicken soup. But most chicken soup includes something that contributes carbohydrates, whether noodles, rice, or dumplings. Carbohydrates provide a cold-weary body with energy. Carbs also help you feel satisfied for longer, at a time when when you don’t feel much like eating. They also help preserve muscle mass at a time when you don’t feel much like moving, and they provide glucose as energy for the brain to keep you thinking clearly.
It’s the broth
Fighting a fever causes your body to lose fluids, which can lead to dehydration. The resulting dehydration can make your cold worse, which in turn makes you more dehydrated. Chicken broth helps fight a cold by working to keep you hydrated. When you have a cold, remaining hydrated helps prevent mucus from thickening and becoming difficult to cough away. Note, too, that thickened mucus is a sign of dehydration.
It’s the steam
The vapors coming from a cup of hot chicken broth help loosen a stuffy nose and open up a congested throat, relieving upper respiratory symptoms. Steam from chicken soup has been proven more effective than vapors from plain hot water. So don’t overlook the importance of inhaling those aromatic vapors as you enjoy a nice warm bowl of chicken soup.
It’s the soothing odor and great flavor
When you have a cold and don’t feel like eating, your body still needs plenty of nutrients to fight infection. The comforting odor and homey flavor of chicken soup pique your appetite. And if you feel just too listless to eat soup with a spoon, you can strain out the solids and get all the same benefits by sipping the broth from a cup.
It’s the warm fuzzies
Most of us have fond memories of eating chicken soup as cold-ridden kids, so it’s part nostalgia. And today, eating chicken soup made for you by your caring grandmother, mother, spouse, or best friend plain makes you feel good. Or maybe you have the foresight to can a load of chicken soup, giving you the comfort of having the magic medicine on hand when you need it. And don’t forget the pleasure of knowing that all those delicious ingredients, including the chicken, were grown not far from your kitchen.
It’s the synergy
Since scientists have been unable to come up with a single definitive reason as to why chicken soup works so well in helping alleviate cold symptoms, some speculate that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. A little of this and a little of that combined in one bowl creates the mystery and magic that is chicken soup.
