Why Your Doctor Might Prescribe Chicken Soup

Remember our old friend Influenza? In a typical flu season we would currently be in the thick of it and asking, did you get the flu shot this year? Which precautions are you taking? Truth is, very few people around the Capital Region are getting the flu this season let alone talking about it. More on that in a moment.

For those that get it you can be sure we would also be searching for any home remedy, such as chicken soup, to make us feel better. Does that even work? The short answer is YES! Chicken soup can help you feel better when battling the flu or the common cold. Here's why:

According to Web MD, chicken soup helps clear nasal congestion as well as thin mucus so you can better cough it up. In addition, research shows it may have a mild anti-inflammatory effect than can help ease symptoms.

Duke University breaks it down even more and the right ingredients are key! Onions and carrots create an impactful combination. Particularly, the onions in the soup contain protein, calcium, and especially sulfur, which decreases swelling and aids in reducing nasal congestion. The carrots enable our bodies to produce vitamin A, which strengthens our white blood cells and in turn allows us to better fight off infection.

What about the chicken part of the soup? Chicken contains an amino acid that thins mucus in the lungs. Chicken also plays its role as a great source of protein for your muscles. This is particularly helpful when your body feels weakened and drained during illness. And the more ingredients in your soup, the better. A variety of veggies can help ease the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, including congestion, stuffy nose, cough, and sore throat.

If you need help in the kitchen, here is a Chicken Soup recipe from Cooking Classy.

Combining Influenza Type A, Influenza Type B and Influenza not specified for a total number of cases, here are some New York State County comparisons from last season to this.

Albany County

2019/2020 - 1719 cases
2020/2021 - 16 cases

Fulton County

2019/2020 - 524 cases
2020/2021 - 6 cases

Greene County

2019/2020 - 124 cases
2020/2021 - 2 cases

Rensselear County

2019/2020 - 714 cases
2020/2021 - 30 cases

Saratoga County

2019/2020 - 2088 cases
2020/2021 - 31 cases

Schenectady County

2019/2020 - 1814 cases
2020/2021 - 24 cases

Look up the numbers for your town with the New York State Flu Tracker and whether you have the flu or not a bowl of chicken soup always tastes good this time of year.