Chicken soup can help the body fight flu, a new study says.
Dr. Stephen Rennard from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, found a compound in chicken soup, carnosine, which is effective in eliminating flu symptoms during the early stages, Daily Mail reported.
To prove this theory, participants of the study were served chicken soup prepared with chicken, onions, sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, celery stems, parsley, salt and pepper. Rennard tested blood samples of the participants. He found the soup slowing down the immigration of white blood cells, known as neutrophils, which fight the infection and reduce respiratory cold symptoms.
However, researchers couldn't give an accurate list of the ingredients that made the chicken soup effective in fighting cold. Apart from home-prepared chicken soup, commercial soup also was found to be effective.
University of Nebraska researchers also found vegetables and poultry soup effective in treating respiratory tract inflammation. A natural chemical found in garlic and onions, organosulfides, and vitamin D can encourage production of macrophage, a type of immune cells. The study is published in the American Journal of Therapeutics.
This is not the only study to show benefits of taking chicken soup. A team of researchers from Miami included 15 participants to find out benefits of chicken soup. All the participants were given hot water, cold water and chicken soup.
Hot fluids are known to increase movement of nasal mucus, thus clearing airways and lowering congestion. Researchers found chicken soup more effective than hot water. Chicken soup was found activating the small hair-like projections in the nose, known as cilia, which plays an important role in protecting the body against contagions.
Apart from chicken soup, hot liquids, herbal teas and hot toddies (non-alcoholic) can protect the body against cold, Daily Mail reported.
