Research shows that some soups – such as chicken and vegetable flavours – can help the body to kick a cold by easing congestion and inflammation. Stock up on Campbell's Soup collection to get you through the seasonal sickness.
According to WebMD, chicken noodle soup appears to help fight colds by clearing nasal congestion as well as thinning mucus. And as winter settles in (as well as allergy season), we're all looking for some comfort.
Although the ingredients in chicken noodle soup are there for flavor, they also provide important health benefits. The broth provides hydrating fluid and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. That's especially helpful when you have a fever and run the risk of becoming dehydrated.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Not only does homemade chicken noodle soup taste great, but chicken broth is known to help any cold. Hot chicken soup can relieve a sore throat and stimulate nasal clearance.
The sodium in the recipe helps relieve sore throat pain (the same principle behind gargling warm salt water), the heat helps clear nasal congestion, and can relieve pain and sinus pressure. The vitamins and minerals in nutrient-dense soups can also speed recovery, Bailey adds.
Although not super exciting, very plain and bland foods can help ease symptoms. Try pasta, dry cereals, oatmeal, bread and crackers. But bland doesn't mean you can't add protein or veggies into the mix if you're feeling up for it! Try eating rice and baked chicken breast or cheese and crackers.
When it comes to soup it is important to avoid dairy based soups, as dairy can often lead to congestion. If you're craving a creamy soup use coconut milk instead! Coconut has antiviral and antibacterial properties and it's delicious!
Chicken Soup
There's a reason that chicken soup has been recommended as a cure for the common cold for hundreds of years. It's easy to eat, a great source of vitamins, minerals, calories, and proteins. It's also a great way to get fluids and electrolytes into your body, especially if you have a fever or diarrhea.
Chicken soup.
The broth in chicken soup soothes a sore throat and helps inhibit the movement of white blood cells called neutrophils, which help the immune system fight infection, the hot fluid promotes movement of nasal mucus and keeps you hydrated, and the salt helps your tissues retain fluids.
When you have a cold: a sore throat could last for 8 days. a headache could last for 9 or 10 days. congestion, runny nose, and cough could last for more than 14 days.
Clear liquids include water, coffee, Sprite or 7up, Kool-aid (no red or green), popsicles (no red or purple), lemonade, Gatorade, strained fruit juice (orange, apple, peach, apricot, grapefruit, pineapple, or pear), chicken bouillon, beef bouillon, and strained chicken noodle soup.
Even if soup doesn't directly fight illness, doctors have some good reasons for recommending it. Steam can help relieve sinus inflammation and soothe the throat. Salty liquids can help with hydration. The numbers show the popularity of this longtime home remedy.
A chicken soup or broth is an excellent food to eat when you have flu. The steam from soup or broth speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose to relieve congestion. A healthy soup also helps reduce inflammation. Sipping hot soup enhances your immune system that guards against bacteria and viruses.
I've found that a lightsprinkle of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder, along with a dainty squeeze of fresh lemon juice can make a world of difference to a meh can of brothy soup, like chicken noodle. Just stir these things in while the soup is heating up.
When you have a sore throat, eat soft foods that are easy to swallow such as yogurt, oatmeal, pasta, and eggs. You should avoid hard, firm foods and acidic foods that can irritate the throat when it's inflamed.
As far as what to avoid when you're sick, steer clear of foods that may fuel inflammation or stress your immune system. Those foods include refined sugar, processed foods (especially those with artificial ingredients), conventional dairy and meat, caffeine, and alcohol.
When your body fights an illness it needs energy, so eating healthy food is helpful. Eating can also help the body generate heat—although wearing an extra layer of clothes or slipping into bed can keep you warm, too. There's no need to overeat, however.
Stay hydrated with water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you. Eat chicken soup. Chicken soup and other warm fluids, such as warm apple juice or tea, can be soothing and loosen congestion.
Losing an appetite is a common sickness behavior, and not eating until hunger pangs hit (even if they are infrequent) is not a bad thing for adults. When sickness symptoms include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, it doesn't make sense to continually force our bodies to ingest unwanted food, she said.
Modern research has actually shown that chicken soup, more than other hot liquid, increases mucus flow and helps the body rid itself of the cold virus. Chicken is rich in an amino acid called cysteine which helps loosen secretions. This effect is increased by adding spices such as pepper and garlic.
Plain flavored yogurt is the best way to help your body recover from touches of the flu and colds. When choosing a yogurt, be sure to pick one that is rich with probiotics. This healthy bacteria helps shorten the duration of your illness by giving your body the strength to fight back.
Kale, broccoli, cranberries, green tea, red onions, blueberries: What do these have in common? All have an antioxidant called quercetin that may help you fight the common cold.
Water is the best fluid to drink when you have a cold or flu as it helps lubricate the mucous membranes of the throat. Hot drinks are also a good choice as the hot steam they produce can relieve congestion.