Does Chicken Soup Help Fight Colds?

Updated on December 12th, 2019
chicken soup for cold

With the cold and flu season whirling around us, comes along the piling sniffles, sneezes, and stock of tissues. You already know that once the flu touches down, it takes a minimum of 7 days to give you a breather. Despite medications being available in the market, chicken soup for cold is the best option to treat your illness and boost your immune system. Chicken soup for cold could never go wrong!

Why Chicken Soup?

Chicken Soup
Image:ShutterStock

Research states that chicken protein has the component cysteine present in it in abundance. This cysteine, which is an anti-histamine helps in clearing mucus. Thus, easing you from nasal congestion and giving you instant relief from the aching throat muscles(1). Homemade chicken soup also contains other ingredients like garlic, onions, and ginger in it. And these are known to reduce inflammation in the body and also help to boost the immune system.

The first sign of sickness aways is your body, getting all worked up to ward off the infection. And this naturally drains your energy and takes a toll on the already sick body. The chicken soup here comes to your rescue by providing you with all the nutrients and easily digestible calories. It is imperative to keep your digestive system healthy when sick.

Chicken is also rich in carnosine(2). It is scientifically proven that carnosine helps a great deal in reducing stuffy nose and congestion. Carnosine reduces inflammation in the respiratory tract. And the relief is only up until the soup stays in your body. So ensure to make big batches of it.

We hope science has convinced you enough. Now that it is sorted, let’s get to the meaty part.

[Also Read: Natural Treatment for Cold]

Chicken Soup Recipes For Cold

Listed below are two of the best versions of the chicken soup for a cold.

1. Shredded Chicken Soup

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 Chopped onions
  • 3 Chopped carrots
  • Thyme leaves
  • 1-liter chicken stock
  • 200gms of leftover chicken
  • 1 Crushed garlic

Preparation Method

  1. Add a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan. Add chopped onions, chopped carrots, crushed thyme and garlic to it. Saute it for about 5 minutes on a medium flame.
  2. Now add chicken stock and let it boil. Once the stock is boiled, add shredded chicken and let it stay for a minute or two.
  3. Remove half of the soup from the pan and keep it aside. Grind the remaining half of the soup with a hand mixer. Now add this grounded soup to the pan and garnish it with herbs, salt, and pepper.

Dosage

Having this soup thrice a day can alleviate you from the symptoms.

[Also Read: 8 Effective Herbs That Fight Cold]

2. Clear Chicken Coriander Soup

Chicken Coriander Soup
Image:ShutterStock

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 Chopped onions
  • A small cup of chopped coriander leaves
  • ½ Liter chicken stock
  • 200gms of shredded chicken
  • 1 Crushed garlic
  • 1 medium size lemon slice

Preparation Method

  1. Add a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan. Add chopped onions, crushed garlic, and shredded chicken. Saute it for about 5 minutes on a medium flame.
  2. Now add chicken stock and let it boil. Once the stock is boiled, add chopped coriander leaves and a lemon slice.
  3. Let the soup simmer for about 2 minutes. Garnish it will salt and pepper.

Dosage

As this is a clear soup, there is no restriction on dosage, and it is also easy and light on the stomach.

[Also Read: Zinc for Flu and Cold]


FAQs

Q1. Why Is Chicken Soup Good for a Cold?

Chicken soup for cold has been an age-old remedy. Stuffy nose, congestion, and cough as we know are the main symptoms of a cold. Scientifically speaking, cysteine present in chicken is an anti-histamine, and it helps in clearing mucus. Also, drinking warm concoction relieves you from aching throat muscles too.

Q2. How Does Chicken Soup Work?

Having chicken soup for cold is one of the best ways to get relieved from the symptoms. Drinking hot soup clears your nasal congestion as well as thin mucus. Thus helping you breathe easier.

Q3. Which Chicken Soup is good for Cold?

Needless to say, chicken soup helps clear nasal congestion and eases cold and cough. Amongst the varied choices, a nourishing bowl of chicken noodle soup makes for an ideal ‘cold-buster’.

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