Chicken Soup Has Linked to Faster Cold Recovery
A new review suggests consuming chicken or vegetable soup may help you recover from cold and flu symptoms more quickly.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Nutrition
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A scientific review of four studies found that people who consumed chicken or vegetable soup recovered up to 2.5 days faster from illnesses than those who did not. The findings, published on October 13, 2026, suggest that soup may offer relief for common cold and flu symptoms.
Why it matters
Researchers investigated whether soup could mitigate inflammation, offering a simple nutritional intervention for managing illness. The results provide evidence that common dietary habits may play a role in easing the severity of respiratory infections.
This review examined over 10,000 records to identify four studies involving 342 participants who consumed chicken broth, barley soup, or herbal vegetable blends. Participants experienced milder symptoms and reached recovery up to 2.5 days faster than those who avoided these soups.
The players
Sandra Lucas
A researcher at the University of the West of Scotland who led the investigation into how soup consumption affects recovery from illness.
University of the West of Scotland
The academic institution where researchers conducted the systematic review of existing studies on soup and illness recovery.
The details
Researchers found that certain soup consumers exhibited lower levels of inflammatory proteins, specifically IL-6 and TNF-α. The physical properties of the soup provide essential fluids, nutrients, and warmth, which help to loosen mucus and provide soothing effects for sore throats. By addressing both inflammation and hydration, these soups appear to support the body during the recovery phase of a cold or flu.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: The review of study results was published.
Health Landscape
This systematic review adds to the ongoing scientific exploration of how nutritional interventions influence recovery times from common respiratory infections. It sits within a broader research tradition evaluating simple, non-pharmacological methods to manage inflammation and symptom progression.
Consuming soup during a cold may offer practical relief for symptoms like fatigue and nasal congestion, though you should discuss managing persistent symptoms with your doctor. Future research is needed to determine which specific soup recipes or ingredients provide the most significant benefit.
The takeaway
The research highlights that simple dietary choices like soup may help reduce the duration and severity of illness symptoms. While the findings are encouraging, you should monitor your recovery closely and consult a physician if your cold or flu symptoms worsen or do not improve over time.
Further reading
For more information on dietary habits and their role in immune support, visit the Nutrition section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bdnews24.
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Do you trust simple home remedies like soup to help you recover from mild illnesses?
