Does chicken soup really speed up recovery? Studies point to three reasons

The age-old advice to drink broth and eat chicken soup during illness is often dismissed as folk wisdom, but scientists have looked into whether it actually holds up. According to Health.clevelandclinic.org, chicken soup is not medicine and cannot cure the flu or other viral infections on its own — yet several studies suggest it can genuinely help the body cope with illness.

Fluids and electrolytes

During illness — especially with fever, heavy sweating, vomiting or diarrhea — the body loses more fluid than usual. Broth is particularly useful because it supplies both fluid and sodium at the same time, which in some cases makes it more helpful than plain water for replacing lost fluids and electrolytes.

Nutrients when appetite fades

A full bowl of soup with chicken, vegetables or noodles offers even more benefits: the meat provides protein, while vegetables contribute vitamins and minerals. Since appetite often drops during illness, such a meal is a practical way to get fluid, calories and nutrients at once — making it more substantial than water alone.

Easing a stuffy nose

A study from 1978 compared the effects of hot water and hot chicken soup on the movement of nasal mucus and found that soup temporarily sped it up. This does not mean soup cures a cold, but the warm liquid and steam can briefly ease the feeling of nasal congestion and help clear mucus.

A possible anti-inflammatory effect

A 2025 review that combined four studies involving a total of 342 people with acute respiratory infections found that consuming soup — mostly made with chicken, vegetables and herbs — was in some cases linked to a moderate reduction in symptoms and illness duration, as well as lower inflammation markers in certain studies. The researchers themselves caution that the number of studies is small and that higher-quality research is needed before drawing firm conclusions.