Dr Xand Van Tulleken, who regularly appears on the BBC, is a big fan of the benefits of chicken soup’s ability to combat the common cold. Far from being an old wives’ tale, there is genuine scientific backing to support it.
In an appearance on BBC Morning Live last year, the medical expert explained: “We don’t have a treatment for the virus to actually shorten the duration of infection” whilst encouraging viewers to stop wasting substantial sums on shop-bought remedies.
Emphasising that rest and maintaining proper hydration remain important, he explained that “home remedies are cheap and effective” whilst recommending people attempt “lemon, ginger and honey” as a soothing beverage.
With regards to food, he describes chicken soup as “amazing”. He added: “Doctor Oscar has spoken about this on the show as well but there is some evidence that chicken soup is quite good for colds, and of course, chicken soup is generally great if you make it properly.”
Shoppers can pick up a tin of chicken soup from almost any supermarket, from Aldi to Waitrose. In Asda it costs just 60p a can.
Mentioning to presenters Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton that shoppers can easily spend”£20 to £25 on over-the-counter remedies” he maintained that “home remedies are cheap and they work just as well if not better”.
In a previous episode of BBC Morning Live, as referenced by Dr Xand, Dr Oscar Duke revealed that consuming nutritious foods such as chicken soup can significantly help manage cold symptoms, reports Surrey Live.
He said: “Chicken soup has also been the subject of considerable research. Studies suggest it may aid in clearing mucus from the respiratory airways. Homemade chicken soup is believed to be more effective than store-bought versions.”
If you’re considering making chicken soup at home, Debbie Krivitsky, director of nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital Cardiovascular Center, advises to “use broth, not cream, as the foundation of your soup”.
As further reported on Harvard Health, if you’re feeling under the weather and need to whip up a quick meal before heading to bed, consider soups with “a low-sodium chicken broth with between 140 and 200 milligrams of sodium per serving”, suggests Debbie.