Is Chicken Soup Effective for the Common Cold?

When you get sick with a cold, you might crave chicken soup. It turns out that's a good thing. Chicken soup can actually help to relieve cold symptoms and may even help you get over your cold faster.

Warm Liquids

• In a pilot study reported in "USA Today," doctors and researchers found that consuming warm liquids when you are sick has a positive psychological effect. Patients drinking hot liquids including chicken soup felt that their runny noses, coughing, sneezing, sore throats and fatigue improved.

Anti-inflammatory Effects

• Chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties that help make it an effective cold remedy. It helps slow the movement of neutrophils. These cells are part of the body's response to a cold. Slowing down their movements can help lesson your symptoms.

Mucous Production

• Chicken soup helps move mucous through the nose faster. This helps to reduce congestion.

Cysteine

• Chicken is a natural source of cysteine. This amino acid can help thin out mucous in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

Salted Water

• If you add a little sea salt to the broth of your chicken soup, it can help relieve sore throat pain.