Chicken soup; a go to dish to help you stay cozy on cold winter nights, and a comforting remedy when you’re feeling under the weather. Varieties of the popular soup have been staples in many different cuisines found around the world for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to Southeast Asia when chickens were originally domesticated some 7 to 10 thousand years ago. To this day in China, chicken soup is given to women after pregnancy and to elderly people as it is believed the dish has the power to transport “energy” around the body and has invigorating effects. The Ancient Greeks also had a version of chicken broth that they believed had unique healing properties for ailments such as migraines, leprosy, and constipation. Chicken soup became a staple in North American cuisine following World War II when Jewish emigrants popularized the dish, nicknamed “the Jewish penicillin”.
With its’ rich aromatic smell and classic flavour profile, chicken soup is an excellent choice for people recovering from illness or lacking appetite. Chicken soup not only contains valuable nutrients and minerals to help your body fight disease, colds, and the flu, but also helps mucus move, clear airways and ease nasal congestion. There have been many studies and clinical tests proving the healing properties of chicken soup. In 1978, a clinical study proved that drinking chicken soup cleared nasal congestion significantly better than drinking hot or cold water. It was proven in 1980 that the broth helped thin mucus in the lungs, which supported the white blood cells in fighting a cold. When served warm, chicken soup also helps sooth the body with heat, hydration and nutrients. It is rich with vitamins and minerals which are useful against common ailments like the common cold the flu and food poisoning.
Even when you are feeling well, it is a great choice for healthy meal. No matter how you enjoy it, chicken soup is a low-calorie choice that’s packed with nutrients and health benefits.
Depending on the ingredients used, chicken soup has only 12 calories per 8 ounce serving making it an excellent low-calorie option to enjoy as part of a balanced meal. The dish can be used as a substitute to lighten rich high fat recipes or as a low-calorie snack. As part of a balanced diet, chicken soup can help to prevent obesity and encourage a healthy weight loss.
The broth is rich with essential fatty acids and protein, both of which help your body build and repair healthy muscles, bone, skin and blood cells. It is a rich source of minerals like iron, and contains selenium, which helps prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases and complications, including strokes and high cholesterol depending on the ingredients used to prepare it. Chicken soup contains: vitamin B12, vitamin C, antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and carnosine.
The key ingredient in chicken soup, (the chicken of course), is the key to many of the soups healing properties. Chicken meat contains a compound called comosine, which may help to ease inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with early stages of viral infection and research has shown that inflammation comes with greater chance for disease such as cancer. As a fluid, chicken soup helps to keep your body hydrated, especially if you use Redman’s Real salt or Himalayan salt in your preparation, which contains high levels of electrolytes and other minerals.
It is no wonder that chicken soup has been revered for centuries by many different cultures around the world for its healing properties. It’s health benefits and overall comforting smell and taste make it truly good for your mind, your body, and your soul.
Check my Instagram page, From the Trainers Table for a good chicken soup recipe.