Will chicken noodle soup cure my cold?

Do you find yourself reaching for hot chicken noodle soup when you feel ill with the flu? Is this actually a good dish to eat when you feel sick? Does it do anything to help you recover, or is it one of those old wives’ tales that we follow but has no science behind it?

The answer is that chicken noodle soup doesn’t actually cure the flu and it’s not a magical solution to your sickness. The main reason why this meal can make you feel a lot better when you’re dealing with the flu is that it’s a comfort food. It’s steaming hot and hydrating, and these qualities are mostly why it’s a popular food to beat the flu.

With this in mind, it’s obvious why people love chicken noodle soup when they’re ill, but there are lots of delicious foods that meet the criteria of being warm and hydrating. Other comfort foods and drinks that are great when you feel sick include:

• Other types of soup, like tomato soup or chunky vegetable soup
• Warm bread or toast with peanut butter and jam or butter
• Hot chocolate or hot cocoa
• Warm milk

Ultimately, it’s your body’s immune system that is responsible for fighting off a cold or the influenza virus. Rest is extremely important to allow your body to fully recover and to provide it with the energy to activate your pathogen-killing white blood cells.

However, eating comfort foods can be a great way to make yourself feel better during this period. Whether you love a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup or something else, make sure to indulge in healthy comfort foods and support your body in every possible way if you’re ill.