Does chicken soup really cure a cold?
There is little research on this popular home remedy, but even scientists recommend it.
Helps you get back on your feet faster: good old chicken soup.
Photo: Getty
This is one of our oldest home remedies – chicken soup. However, it is still largely unknown why it should relieve colds and coughs.
After all, there are isolated scientific studies that speak of a positive effect. As recently as 20 years ago, research in the US concluded that chicken soup suppresses the activity of a group of immune cells, “neutrophil granulocytes”, and thus probably anti-–has an inflammatory effect. A small spoonful of tar: the study was conducted only in vitro, that is, not on people, but in a laboratory.
Rich in protective substances
Despite the sparse research, there are good reasons to favor chicken soup: Chicken also contains protein building blocks such as cysteine or carnosine, which act as antioxidants and can also suppress inflammation and protect the body’s cells.
In addition, various vegetables in the soup with secondary plant substances strengthen the immune system.
But it can also be simply due to the beneficial effect of hot and easily digestible liquid: “Hot soup promotes blood circulation and thins mucus – naturally.d without any side effects,” says David Fech, preventive medicine doctor and nutritionist from the Bern University of Applied Sciences.
Expert: David Fe (48) is a preventive medicine doctor and nutritionist; he researches and teaches at the University of Zurich and is a lecturer in dietetics at the Bern University of Applied Sciences. The medical specialist is the author of numerous publications and books (in particular “Release stress-free” and “Genussvoll gluten-frei”).
Photo: PD
However, Fach sees the greatest benefit of chicken soup in the recovery phase: “Especially if someone has been sick for a long time and has suffered from loss of appetite, the nutrients in the soup can help with regeneration.”
Stefan Aerni, almost 40 years in journalism, since 2013 – sanitary editor. It’s no coincidence: after being diagnosed with MS, he now wants to combine the important with the useful and report on medicine and health – from the perspective of sick patients.
More information
Found an error?Report now.