Something that warms you up is good when you have a cold. Many people are convinced that chicken soup like Grandma’s makes me quickly back on my feet. Is there something to that?
Nose is tight, throat is scratchy: Anyone who has a cold wants the annoying symptoms to disappear as quickly as possible. Could a warm chicken soup perhaps contribute to this?
Anti-inflammatory effects proven in test tubes
Even though many people swear by the home remedy, there is little scientific evidence to back it up. The Health Knowledge Foundation points out that the effects of chicken soup have so far only been studied in the laboratory, but not on humans: According to a laboratory study from 2000, chicken soup could inhibit the so-called neutrophils, a subtype of white blood cells. This could have an anti-inflammatory effect.
However, so far there has been a lack of evidence of its effectiveness in humans. Investigating them is not easy: After all, a soup comes together with many ingredients – from chicken with different fatty acids to vegetables such as celery, carrots or leeks. But in 2025, scientists will have gained new insights.
Chicken soup for a cold: new findings
A current study from 2025 now suggests that chicken soup may have scientifically based effects on humans: The meta-study systematically summarizes four studies with a total of 342 participants from the USA and Asia who examined the effect of chicken soup on respiratory diseases.
There was a group that ate chicken soup enriched with vegetables and a control group that only drank water or tea. The chicken soups contained a variety of ingredients, including grains (hulled wheat, rice), legumes, vegetables (carrots, onions, spinach, beets), and a variety of herbs and spices (parsley, coriander, mint, celery seeds) with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
The results:
- Three of the studies showed a slight reduction in symptoms such as less nasal congestion and reduction in sore throats and coughs.
- One study showed shortening the duration of illness by one to two and a half days.
- Two of the studies showed a reduction in inflammatory markers.
- The studies did not allow any conclusions to be drawn about sickness-related absences and general well-being.
The researchers cautiously conclude that chicken soup can lead to mild relief of symptoms of respiratory diseases and inflammation. At the same time, they point out that further studies are necessary to conclusively assess the effects.
Conclusion: Chicken soup seems to have its place as a home remedy for colds – but it remains unclear which of the diverse ingredients trigger which effect. After all, in addition to meat, the soups also contained many other health-promoting ingredients. Whether you choose soup with or without chicken – one thing is clear: consuming warm liquid helps with respiratory diseases.
Hot liquids help loosen mucus
Soups stimulate blood circulation in the tissues. Many people find this beneficial when they have a cold. Warm liquids can also help mucus to loosen and drain better.
According to a small, very old study (1978), chicken soup can actually make nasal mucus more liquid in the short term so that it drains better. However, hot water also has a similar effect.
So you don’t necessarily have to eat chicken when you have a cold. A vegan “chicken soup” with lots of vegetables, herbs and spices is also likely to have a beneficial effect due to its high temperature.
With material from the DPA
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