As a former Infection Prevention nurse, with the Veterans Administration, I’m here to tell you the number one tool you can use to prevent infections with any type of disease is to, WASH YOU HANDS!

Can food help prevent the flu?

Having said, WASH YOUR HANDS, the next best thing to do to prevent getting the flu and colds and the ‘creeping crud’, is to have a healthy immune system.  So, let’s take a look at how to do that.  I have written articles before about flu season and given you tools to use.  Now, I will take a different approach.

Does chicken soup help with colds and flu?  Actually, it does and science is behind the facts.  But, how can chicken soup help with colds and flu.  I’m happy to tell you how it works.

Many, many centuries ago (the 12 century to be exact)  Rabbi Moshe ben Maimonides wrote about the benefits of chicken soup in helping to lessen the effects of the cold and flu.  The Rabbi/healer wrote, “The meat taken should be that of hens or roosters and their broth should also be taken because this sort of fowl has virtue in rectifying corrupted humours.” The Rabbi also used chicken soup to treat such things like hemorrhoids, constipation, and even leprosy. He strongly believed and especially praised the brew’s healing power for respiratory illnesses like the common cold.

Fast forward to 1990’s and Beyond

Dr. Stephen Rennard, MD at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, (like any good husband) thought his family’s chicken soup really did work, however, being a scientist, he wanted proof.  So, he tested the soup on white blood cells, called neutrophils. And to his great surprise, the soup did slow down the neutrophils.

Since that early test: All research done on chicken soup, agrees that the soup helps break up congestion and eases the flow of nasal secretions.  Many scientist say it also inhibits the white blood cells that trigger the inflammatory response causing sore throats and the production of phlegm or in layman’s terms (snot). 

Ingredients:

Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine, which is a substance that is released when you make the soup. This amino acid is similar to the drug acetylcysteine, which is prescribed by doctors to patients with bronchitis. It thins the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to cough out.

Carrots contain the best natural source of beta-carotene. The body utilizes beta-carotene by converting it into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps prevent and fight off infections by enhancing the actions of white blood cells that destroy harmful bacteria and viruses.

Onions, another chicken soup ingredient, contains quercetin.  Quercetin is a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory.

The benefits of celery begin with it being an excellent source of antioxidants and beneficial enzymes, in addition to vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin B6.

Whose chicken soup is the best?  My grandmother’s of course, with my use of organic ingredients only.

Chicken Noodle Soup

1 organic chicken cooked and deboned, then add back into the chicken broth

2 large organic carrots

2 stalks of organic celery

1 small organic purple onion (the deeper colors in vegetables have more vitamins and minerals than white vegetables)

1 small bag of organic Italian noodles

Cook the vegetables and noodles until just done or AL DENTE as a chef would say.

Has this made you hungry yet?  It has made me hungry.  Maybe, I’ll make some chicken noodle soup.  Bon appe’tit!