Does Chicken Soup Really Cure a Cold?

Does Chicken Soup Really Cure a Cold


Chicken Soup is an actual remedy for the common cold, fact or fiction? Believe it or not, the folk remedy is actually true. Ever since we were children, mum always made us chicken soup when we had a cold. She swore by the magical, healing properties of a fresh, homemade bowl of “love”.


Also known as “Jewish penicillin” the chicken soup remedy for the common cold has been put to the test in a lab with scientists to make sure the chicken soup was properly analysed for the infallible test results.


One study made on chicken soup was conducted in Nebraska in 2000 by, pulmonary expert, Dr. Stephen Rennard. The conclusion of the study found it was the anti-inflammatory properties, found in several ingredients typically added to chicken soup that helped ease the symptoms of the common cold by reducing congestion.


Even though studies like this can’t be considered conclusive, they do add weight to the claims of mothers and grandmothers throughout the past hundreds of years.


If nothing else, people suffering from a chill will benefit from the hydration that chicken soup provides. Another benefit is all of the nutritious ingredients in soup that are cooked down to a point that makes them easily digested.


Chicken protein also provides a person with a great source of cysteine, an amino acid which is chemically similar to a drug known as acetylcysteine, which helps to clear the mucus that builds up in a person with a cold.


A properly prepared chicken soup stock also contains gelatin extracted from the collagen found in chicken. The gelatin provides a velvety texture that also adds a rich flavour to the stock base. It’s also a good source of hydrophilic colloids, which are compounds that attract gastric juices and stimulates digestion.


If you want to super-charge your chicken soup to become a more powerful weapon to knock that cold out faster, here are some ingredients that will help:



Garlic has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine to prevent and treat colds, the flu, coughs and even to rid the body of parasites. It’s anti-microbial activity is provided by the compound allicin, a major biologically active component of garlic. Allicin is activated when the garlic is crushed or chewed. This process exposes the allicin to the enzyme alliinase.


This is why garlic is best if eaten fresh, with minimal cooking. For the best results to release all or garlics multiple benefits it’s best to either finely chop or put it through a garlic press.



Ginger contains a number of immune-boosting properties which can add extra power to your pot of chicken soup. Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties are found in gingerol, a compound of fresh ginger. These components can help lessen the symptoms associated with colds.


Fresh ginger provides a unique diaphoretic capacity. Which means it can increase the body’s temperature to induce sweating, that often provides relief during a cold.



Because of its high antioxidant capacity, Turmeric is considered a general immune system booster. Current research suggests that it possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the symptoms associated with colds and the flu.


Containing the unique immune-stimulating polysaccharides, Turmeric can aid the healing process in the body.


The Chicken

For the most potent and nutritionally packed chicken soup possible, the chicken you choose will make a major difference in the overall results of its ability to help get you back on your feet faster. Choose a free-range bird of a fairly small size. Smaller chickens contain more skin, bone and connective tissue. This results in a richer broth with more flavour.


The next time someone you care about comes down with a common cold, try making them some homemade chicken soup and they will begin feeling better in no time. Another very powerful component to the chicken soup remedy is the fact you add a little love mixed in with the ingredients to give the healing boost your sick loved one will greatly benefit from.


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8 thoughts on “Does Chicken Soup Really Cure a Cold?

  1. Very interesting.. In every culture, chicken soup is considered as a cure for flu, I always thought there would be some studies about this topic. Thank u for sharing..


    1. Thank you for taking the time to read my articles and join the discussion. I’ve always thought it was amazing how something so simple as chicken soup can, in some cases, be a miracle drug. Of course, Grandma always made me homemade chicken soup when I was sick. As I became older I began to wonder if it was in fact the soup that was the cure or the love Grandma added as her “secret” ingredient because, when I became a man and Grandma was no longer able to care for me when I was sick, chicken soup never seemed to hold that special magic any longer.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Of course, chicken soup or any other dishes, made by our Grandmas are the most delicious and have healing effects. I do agree that this “secret” ingredient really counts and adds different flavor and magic to a dish. Although when I am sick I really crave for chicken soup. I don’t know how to explain but when I feel very bad and can’t even eat or drink anything, chicken soup exception and it really helps, especially if I add garlic and ginger to it.
        Thank you once again for very interesting post and comment. :))


      2. Belfii,

        You are correct about the healing effect and also I agree that when I’m really sick and can’t, or don’t want, to eat anything else, chicken soup is always the exception.

        I once read somewhere that they did an actual study on the effects chicken soup has on us or if it’s all in our heads. I believe they found that there was an ingredient in chicken that does actually benefit us when we have certain illnesses.

        So my question to the many intellectual followers I’m blessed with is. Does chicken soup actually have healing properties? This is a great question you brought up and there are several people who, I’m lucky to have follow my blog and add to interesting discussions on a wide variety of topics that I’m sure can help with this.

        I’m also specifically including my friends with “cooking” or “recipe” blogs like koolaidmoms Please help us to explain this age-old question. This also includes all the “moms” who follow and engage in enlightening conversation with us all.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. That’s great.

        I will be paying attention to this topic. It will be great to know more.
        When having the time, I will search materials and I hope find something interesting.
        Before we have talked so much about chicken soup, I have to make on tomorrow. :)))))


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