Credit: Elise Bauer/Simply Recipes
Chicken soup won’t cure your cold, but it’ll make it a little more bearable.
People all over the world are drawn to new remedies that can help cure diseases and illnesses. Many of these remedies sound like old hokey nonsense, but a few of them actually have a solid scientific basis to them.
Let’s take a look at a few food remedies that have withstood the test of time.
Chicken Soup for a Cold
There is no actual evidence that proves chicken soup can cure your cold. However, there are some perks of having some soup while you’re sick. A soup made of chicken, lots of vegetables, parsley, salt and pepper was shown in a study to inhibit the activity of inflammation white blood cells in a blood sample. This helps to reduce the flow of mucus and ease up a stuffy nose. It has also been said that chicken soup can help to improve the ability of the tiny hairline projections in the nose to stop any possible infectious particles from entering the body.
Honey for Coughs
Honey has been shown to outperform popular cough suppressants. When children do not feel well, they should be drinking plenty of fluids to keep them well hydrated as well as honey to help cut down their cough. Honey should not be given to babies under a year old, however, because of the risk of botulism.
Prunes for Regularity
A 2014 study showed that eating eight to ten prunes a day increased stool weight and bowel movement frequency. This was shown to impact people who suffered from constipation as well as those who didn’t. Prunes also contain a natural sugar, sorbitol, which can also be used as a laxative for some people.
Ginger Ale for Nausea
How many times have you had a drink of ginger ale when you’re not feeling well and thought about how wonderful it made you feel? Ginger is known to help prevent or treat nausea or vomiting. Drinking ginger tea is an even better way to make the stomach feel better. Ginger Ale does not contain real ginger, but mentally, it seems to help.
