Everyone’s heard that chicken soup is the ultimate remedy when you're feeling under the weather. But is there real science behind this comforting tradition, or is it just a clever way our parents and grandparents snuck more veggies onto our plates? With winter on the horizon and cold and flu season ramping up, we’re digging into the facts for you
Research shows that eating chicken soup may have positive effects on the respiratory tract during a cold. The warm vapor is proven to raise the temperature of our nasal passages, which loosens thick secretions and clears our passages, helping us to breathe. Chicken soup may also have positive anti-inflammatory responses by decreasing inflammation caused by viral illnesses and therefore may suppress hypersensitivity and minimise symptoms of the virus.
Other studies claim that chicken soup keeps you hydrated and soothes a sore throat, therefore making us feel better. Consuming chicken soup may also be associated with a positive psychological experience, as we may already have a positive association and attachment to having chicken soup when we’re sick. Turns out our grandparents weren’t telling fibs after all!
While chicken soup might not cure a cold, it certainly can help us feel a whole lot better. So, we say this time-honoured remedy deserves its reputation! Even better, Dineamic is here to keep you cosy this winter with our Chicken and Corn Soup (a customer favourite) and our hearty Chicken, Vegetable and Du Puy Lentil Soup — the ultimate winter warmers.
In our investigation, we also uncovered even more reasons to love soup. Studies show that regular soup eaters tend to have a higher daily intake of vegetables — meaning more fibre, which aids digestion, nourishes gut bacteria, and improves insulin sensitivity, helping you stay fuller for longer. Plus, soup-lovers often get more vitamin A, iron, and water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C and folate, which are easily lost during food processing. Thanks to soup’s gentle cooking process, these nutrients are preserved and ready for your body to absorb. Vitamin C can help reduce oxidative stress (minimising cell damage), and folate plays a vital role in DNA formation and cellular repair — both essential for helping us fight off winter bugs.
Verdict: Confirmed! Bring on the soup!
