The Potential of Soup to Alleviate Cold and Flu Symptoms and Aid Recovery

For generations, soup, especially chicken soup, has been a popular home remedy for common illnesses like colds and flu. While it’s often considered a comfort food, recent scientific studies are exploring its potential health benefits beyond tradition. A systematic review conducted by researchers examined over 10,000 records and identified four high-quality studies involving 342 participants that tested various types of soups, including chicken broth, barley soup, and herbal vegetable blends.

One notable study found that individuals who consumed soup recovered approximately 2.5 days faster than those who did not. Additionally, symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, and fatigue appeared milder in those who ate soup regularly. These individuals also showed reduced levels of inflammatory markers like IL-6 and TNF-α, which are proteins involved in triggering inflammation. The reduction of these markers suggests that soup might help calm an overactive immune response during illness, potentially making symptoms less severe and easing discomfort.

Although promising, the current evidence does not specify how soup consumption affects practical outcomes such as days taken off work or hospital admissions. Nevertheless, the reasons why soup might be beneficial include its warmth, which helps loosen mucus and soothe sore throats, its hydrating qualities, and its nutrient-rich ingredients like garlic, onion, ginger, and leafy greens, all known for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-supportive properties.

Beyond its nutritional value, there is a significant cultural component to using food as a part of illness management. Many households treat food, especially soups, as a form of care, reassurance, and routine, which can enhance psychological comfort during illness. Studies indicate that parents, in particular, tend to resort to traditional remedies like soup early on when children are sick, emphasizing the importance of familiar and trusted home remedies. This behavioral tendency underscores a broader trend towards self-care that can help reduce the strain on healthcare systems, especially in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance and overwhelmed medical services.

Soup is an accessible, affordable, and safe option for managing minor illnesses at home. Standardized research into specific recipes and nutrient combinations can help determine whether particular types of soup are more effective than others. Future studies should aim to measure meaningful health outcomes, such as faster return to daily activities, improved sleep, and overall comfort. While soup is not a substitute for medicine, it can be an effective complementary approach alongside rest, hydration, and over-the-counter remedies to ease symptoms and promote well-being during respiratory infections.

Source: [https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-soup-symptoms-recovery-colds-flu.html]