(conversation) – Preparing a bowl of chicken soup when a loved one is sick has been a common practice around the world for centuries.Today, generations of virtually every culture pledge profit of chicken soup.In the United States, this dish is usually made with noodles, but different cultures prepare a calming treat. in our own way.
Chicken soup as a therapy can be traced back to 60 AD. Pedanius DioscoridesA military surgeon who served the Roman Emperor Nero, his five-volume medical encyclopedia has been referenced by early healers for over 1,000 years. However, the origins of chicken soup date back thousands of years. to ancient china.
So, Cold and flu season is in full swing, it’s worth asking: Is there any science to support the belief that it helps? Or does chicken soup have no real therapeutic effect and simply act as a soothing placebo, something that provides a psychological benefit when you’re sick?
as Registered dietitian and professor of nutrition and dieteticsWe all know that the charm of chicken soup is the warmth of the soup and the flavor and richness of the chicken, vegetables, and noodles. The true reason for the soup’s unique taste is “Umami” – is the fifth category of taste along with sweet, salty, sour and bitter.It is often explained as follows Tastes “meaty”.
Improved appetite, improved digestion
This all makes sense because amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. amino acid glutamic acid Contains umami-tasting foods. However, not all umami foods are meat or poultry. We also have cheese, mushrooms, miso, and soy sauce..
Research has shown that taste is very important for health. Healing properties of chicken soup. When caring for patients with upper respiratory tract disorders, many patients notice that they suddenly start eating less or stop eating altogether. This is because acute illness triggers an inflammatory response. Appetite may decrease. Not feeling like eating means you’re less likely to get the nutrients you need, which isn’t the best recipe for immune health or recovery from illness.
However, there is evidence that the umami flavor in chicken soup may stimulate your appetite.A participant in one study said: they felt hungrier After the researchers tasted the umami-infused soup for the first time.
Other studies say umami taste may also play a role. improve the digestion of nutrients. When our brain detects umami through taste receptors on our tongue, our body prepares our digestive tract to more easily absorb protein.
this can be done Reduce gastrointestinal symptoms, which many people experience when the weather is bad. Although most people do not associate upper respiratory tract infections with gastrointestinal symptoms, studies in children have found that the influenza virus is more contagious. Symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrheaThere are many ways to make chicken soup.
May reduce inflammation and nasal congestion
inflammation it’s a part of the body natural response to injury or illness; inflammation occurs when white blood cells migrate to inflamed tissue to aid in healing. When this inflammatory process occurs in the upper respiratory tract, cause cold or flu symptomsstuffy or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and thick mucus.
Conversely, a decrease in the activity of white blood cells in the nasal cavity reduces inflammation. And interestingly, research shows that chicken soup can actually reduce obesity numbers. white blood cells migrate to inflamed tissue. This is done by directly inhibiting the ability to: neutrophilA type of white blood cell that migrates to inflamed tissue.
main ingredients
To truly understand the calming and healing effects of chicken soup, it’s important to consider the soup’s ingredients. Not all chicken soups are packed with nutritious healing properties. For example, ultra-processed canned versions of chicken soup, with or without noodles, don’t contain many of the antioxidants found in homemade versions. Most canned chicken soups contain very few nutrient-dense vegetables.
of core nutrients Homemade soups are what distinguish these types of soups from canned versions. Chicken provides the body with a complete source of protein to fight infections. Vegetables contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When cooked the American way, noodles provide an easily digestible source of carbohydrates that the body uses for energy and recovery.
Warm chicken soup also works. Drinking liquids or inhaling vapors increases the temperature of the nasal passages and respiratory tract, loosen thick mucus It is often accompanied by respiratory disease.Research shows that compared to boiling water alone, chicken soup More effective at loosening mucus.
Herbs and spices sometimes used in chicken soup, such as pepper and garlic, Also loosens mucus. Soup contains water and electrolytes, which help you stay hydrated.
Therefore, to maximize the health benefits of chicken soup, we recommend homemade soup, which can be made using carrots, celery, fresh garlic, herbs and spices, to name a few ingredients. Masu. But if you want a more convenient option, check the ingredients and nutrition facts label and choose soups with a variety of vegetables rather than ultra-processed, nutrient-depleted ones.
In short, the latest science suggests that while chicken soup isn’t a cure-all for colds and flu, it can really help cure it. Apparently grandma was right again.
