Senior Living News

Chicken soup and related recipes have been a go-to concoction for treating colds and other ailments for centuries. But does this home remedy really work, and if so, why? And should seniors take any precautions when cooking up and enjoying batches of chicken soup when they don't feel well? We've got the answers below.

Is Chicken Soup Good for Treating a Cold?

Studies have shown that various types of chicken soup do have some positive impact on cold symptoms such as nasal congestion. Each ingredient in such soups actually brings some beneficial nutrition to the table.

• Bone broth. Chicken soup that's made with bone broth adds a lot of important minerals and vitamins to soup. Broth made with chicken bones can include calcium potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. Some broths are also rich in zinc, vitamin A, vitamin K2, iron and omega-3 fatty acids. All these nutrients add up to provide your body with extra firepower when it comes to fighting off a cold.
  
  
• Chicken. One of the things chicken brings to the soup is high levels of tryptophan. This is a nutrient that supports the body's natural serotonin production. Because serotonin helps improve your overall mood, eating chicken soup really can give you a comforting feeling.
  
  
• Vegetables. Although cooked vegetables aren't as high in nutrients as raw ones, they still pack a positive punch. Adding veggies like carrots, onion and celery to a chicken soup brings vitamins C and K and other good things to the bowl. Get creative by adding in kale or other greens to bulk up the value of a bowl of soup.
• Noodles. Even the noodles serve a purpose in chicken soup. They provide carbohydrates for a fast jolt of energy, which may help you push through some tiredness you're feeling because of a cold.

On top of the nutritional content, chicken soup is a warm, liquid-based food. It can help soothe a throat that's sore from coughing or post nasal drip and make someone feel like they are attending to the overall needs of their body and mind. Plus, all that broth is decent hydration, and it's important to stay hydrated when you're dealing with a cold or other types of illnesses.

The Importance of Moderation With Chicken Soup

Even given the nutritional value and benefits of chicken soup when you have a cold, it's important to remember that moderation is the best bet when it comes to most foods. Here are a few reasons older adults should eat chicken soup — or any soup — in moderation.

Salt Content

Soups can be incredibly high in sodium, especially when they come out of a can or are made with prepackaged broths. One serving of traditional Campbell's chicken noodle soup contains 800mg of sodium or about a third of the recommended daily intake for healthy people. If you're on a heart-healthy diet with reduced sodium recommendations, one bowl of canned soup could knock out almost all of your sodium allowance for the day.

Eating a bowl of soup here and there with high salt content typically won't hurt. But when you're sick, you may turn to soup for multiple meals, substantially increasing your sodium intake. Older adults who overdo the soup when sick may put themselves at risk for cardiovascular events.

Tips for Mitigating Soup Sodium Risks

• Read labels. When buying canned soups and broths, make sure you know what a serving size is and how much salt is in each serving. Servings are often smaller than you think, so you may be eating two or three servings of soup in one large bowl.
  
  
• Look for low-sodium options. Low-sodium canned soups have less sodium than their traditional counterparts. That doesn't mean they're especially low in salt content, though, so keep an eye on labels and serving sizes here too.
• Make homemade varieties. Making your own bone broth without adding much or any salt can substantially reduce the amount of sodium in soups.

Liquid Limitations for Some

Some older adults might be dealing with daily liquid limitations. Someone with a heart condition might be under doctor's orders to keep liquid intake to just 48 ounces a day, for example.

Those limitations typically include liquids you eat with a spoon too, such as soup and ice cream. It's usually okay to have a small bowl of comforting soup in these cases, but avoid replacing all your liquids with soup. Broth may be hydrating, but it's not the same as water.

Listen to Medical Advice About Food and Drink When Sick

If you're concerned with pre-existing conditions or how much soup is too much, reach out to a medical provider and ask. Follow through on the advice they give about what's best for you to eat and drink when you're sick.

One of the benefits of choosing to make a home in an assisted living community such as The Gardens in Springfield is access to comprehensive wellness and lifestyle amenities. That includes nutritious meals in restaurant-style dining spaces, help with diet and nutrition, and assistance managing illnesses that range from the common cold to more chronic diseases. Check out The Gardens to find out more about how our staff helps ensure safe, enjoyable lifestyles for all residents.