This is what makes chicken soup so healthy

Even Grandma knew what really helps with a cold. Instead of swallowing heaps of medicine, she recommended effective—and delicious—from the cooking pot: Chicken soup has long been considered the home remedy for runny noses and sore throats.

But is this just a myth, or does warm broth really help treat cold symptoms? And if so, why? We explain the facts.

Does chicken soup help with colds?

A little faster than chicken soup and gone cold? Well, it’s not that simple after all. However, it has long established itself as a natural home remedy—and for good reason: A lab study from Nebraska was able to show that chicken soup actually contains substances that can reduce cold symptoms. Although this has only been proven in a test tube, the effect of a home remedy can seem to make more sense.

The positive effect of the soup is mainly attributed to the blocking effect on the so-called “neutrophilic granulocytes”. These special white blood cells are one of the most important immune cells in the body’s defense system to successfully fight off invaders. However, they can also cause inflammatory reactions by themselves, causing the mucous membranes to swell, for example. Chicken soup prevents this reaction and makes the typical cold symptoms go away faster.

Especially with viral infections, such as a mild cold, it is worth giving a chance to natural home remedies such as chicken soup. Fewer chemicals and soothing relief for an irritated throat.

What ingredients make chicken broth so healthy?

In addition to its aforementioned effect on neutrophils (the most common type of white blood cell), homemade chicken soup also contains various amino acids, such as cysteine, which are released when chicken is cooked and migrate into the soup. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect, cysteine ​​reduces swelling in the mucous membranes and thus can relieve symptoms, especially in diseases of the upper respiratory tract, studies also indicate.

Also on the deck are zinc and histidine, a true anti-inflammatory duo. Both substances are also found in chicken meat, where histidine supports zinc absorption in the body. The mineral zinc is involved in many metabolic processes throughout the body. It is considered a multitalent, without which your immune system, for example, will not function properly. But it has many other effects, here’s a quick look.

Since not only chicken, but also healthy vegetables end up in the fortification broth, it also contains vitamins, minerals, and secondary botanicals. The perfect combination to quickly strengthen a weakened immune system.

But it’s not just the ingredients that make chicken soup an all-around talent among home remedies for the common cold. The aroma and temperature of warm broth alone can have a therapeutic effect. The steam also moistens the mucous membranes, which means that the secretion in the throat and nose can drain better. In addition, the soup contributes to the daily fluid intake.

The Recipe: This is how you cook chicken soup yourself for a cold

Making chicken broth is not complicated. And in order to deliver on what you promise, you have to be self-made. The main ingredient, of course, is chicken soup – preferably organic. Chicken thighs or chicken breasts are emergency alternatives only, as they do not provide the same result in the pot in terms of taste and nutrients.

With greens soup, the amounts of individual types of vegetables can be varied or supplemented with parsley root or parsnip, for example. To give chicken soup an extra boost of spice, a generous piece of ginger shouldn’t be wasted. Ginger is the all-encompassing talent against almost all diseases and provides additional strength. Everything after that takes care of itself, and the finished broth can also be frozen wonderfully, so it is worth preparing a large pot.

Basic Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe (Large Bowl)

• 1 organic chicken soup (about 2.2 – 2.5 kg)
• 1 bunch vegetable broth (2 carrots, 200 g celery, 1 leek)
• 1 bundle parsley
• 1 onion
• 5 cm ginger
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 tablespoon pepper

Prepare

1. Rinse the chicken broth well inside and out and – if it is still attached – remove the peritoneum on the upper back. If this sebaceous gland, which chickens use to grease their feathers, is also cooked, the soup becomes sour and can quickly degrade.
2. Peel the carrots and celery and cut it into large pieces. Clean the shallots well and cut into thick slices. Describe the onions. Clean the ginger and cut it into slices.
3. Put all the prepared ingredients plus half the amount of parsley in a saucepan and pour over 5 liters of cold water. Everything must be covered with water. Raise the heat and wait until the water is hot but not boiling. Then add salt, pepper and bay leaves.
4. Leave the broth to simmer, uncovered, for about 2 hours. Every now and then get rid of the rising turbidity (foam) with the help of a sieve. This creates a nice, clear broth at the end.
5. After the cooking time, pour the soup through a sieve so that only the broth remains. Remove the meat from the bone, cut into small pieces and return to the broth. The vegetable has abandoned all its healthy components, so it is no longer worth giving. Finally, sprinkle with parsley or make other soup accompaniments.

advice: If you don’t have the time to cook on your own, there are good “ready made products” like those from BROX, which are a good alternative. This is what makes so-called “bone broth” so special.

Soup accompaniments to chicken soup

If you want a little more soup, you can shake off the steam. You should definitely use chicken for this. To do this, the skin is loosened, the meat is separated from the bones and cartilage and returned to the broth in bite-sized pieces. Vegetables like peas or carrots also go well with it. Rice or soup noodles are good to fill you up and provide energy, and some fresh herbs like parsley or chives to garnish the cake.

Of course, chicken soup is not a magic cure, but it can actually relieve cold symptoms. Supporting warmth, fluids and a nutritious diet The immune system from within. If symptoms worsen, please speak to your family doctor. Here you can read how to differentiate between cold, flu or covid symptoms.