Chicken Soup, Anyone?

The Chicken Soup for the Soul series is a worldwide phenomenon consisting of over 200 books. The series' title evokes a sense of heartwarming comfort while the books dispense inspirational stories of everyday people. Chicken soup may be good for your soul, but did you know a bowl of steamy goodness is also good for your health?

Nothing is more comforting than a bowl of hot soup on a cold day, and as the temperature drops and the season of cold and flu arrives, a hot bowl of soup is a go-to in my household. The science behind a bowl of hot chicken soup may contain more medicinal value than just one of comfort. Cooked chicken releases an amino acid cysteine. The human body turns cysteine into glutathione, a building block of proteins. This powerful antioxidant helps the body break down mucous and may benefit conditions like bronchitis and COPD. According to research from Mt. Sinai in Miami, a bowl of hot chicken soup helps improve the function of the nasal cilia, the short, hairlike projections found in the nasal passages. Cilia are the body’s first line of defense and work to prevent contagious airborne germs from entering the body. With the additional benefits of improving hydration, which helps loosen phlegm, decrease coughing, and soothe a sore throat, a bowl of mom’s chicken soup is a natural choice with the onset of cold or flu.

If you're too sick to make homemade soup, commercially prepared soups that combine chicken, vegetables, and stock can be just as effective.

Do you love garlic? I do, and it turns out that it’s not just effective in fighting off vampires or pesky dates. Garlic has potent anti-bacterial anti-microbial properties and has long been a mainstay in treating various ailments throughout history. Garlic promotes a healthy gut flora and helps rid the body of toxins. Garlic and fresh oregano are among my go-to treatments for my chickens when they develop a cough or upper respiratory symptoms. 

Many other foods can improve the body's resistance to colds and flu when consumed regularly. The following are a few of my favorites:

Beef: Did you know that beef is an excellent source of zinc? This vital mineral helps improve or “beef up” our white blood cell count. Beef is also a good source of protein, which allows for the building of antibodies to stave off infection.

Sweet potato is an essential source of Vitamin A, which improves and strengthens the health of the nasal and GI tract mucosa.  

Dark leafy greens: The wildly popular kale is a prime example of a superfood rich in Vitamin C and one of my favorite things to grow in the garden. If you prefer a milder taste, substitute spinach or Swiss chard ( I like the rainbow for its colorful appearance and resistance to summer heat and pests). You can consume your greens, both raw or cooked. One of my favorite recipes is sautéing kale and garlic and topping it with cooked sweet potatoes. I consider it the trifecta of super, antioxidant-rich goods and simply delicious. It makes a great side dish for a juicy, protein and zinc-packed steak.

Wild salmon is a rich source of Vitamin D. With the fall-back of Daylight Savings and the loss of sunlight hours. I cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining the body's supply of Vitamin D. Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone strength and cognitive function and lowers the body’s risk of developing an upper respiratory infection. Wild salmon can be pricey, so a more economical choice may be canned tuna, sardines, egg yolks (farm fresh are always best when available), fortified dairy products, and grains. 

Tumeric is a spice found in curries and Asian foods and is touted to be the cure for everything. Tumeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and can help alleviate skeletal-muscular and joint pain. Turmeric boosts the immune system and helps prevent colds and flu. I use turmeric in powder form in curries, teas, and other recipes. I’ve made turmeric “bombs” but find it the most palatable in supplement forms combined with black pepper or quercetin, which boosts the effect of turmeric or curcumin. These supplements are widely available. But, as always, with any supplement, check with your physician, as turmeric can interfere with the actions of blood thinners such as coumadin, plavix, aspirin, and NSAIDs. Use with caution while taking drugs that inhibit the production of stomach acids, like Tagamet and Nexium.

As you can see, natural food defenders are too numerous to list. Still, a balanced diet and lifestyle (including rest) is the body’s best defense in preventing and shortening symptoms during cold and flu season.

Bee Healthy!

It is not my intent to dispense medical advice. Consult your physician before incorporating natural remedies into your medical regimen.