When you’re sick, there’s no classic comfort food than chicken soup as people have been drawn to this savoury classic because of its nutritional components and calming warmth, which many believe to have therapeutic properties.

Nevertheless, not much research has been done by scientists to determine the health advantages of this go-to sick day. Other than a well-known and frequently referenced lab study from 2000 that suggested chicken soup may have anti-inflammatory qualities, clinical researchers haven’t invested much time or effort in examining the benefits of grandma’s homemade cold and flu cure.

“I [haven’t found] much other research highlighting the specific benefits of chicken soup on recovering from a cold,” Alyssa Pike, RD, senior manager of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council, told Health.

It goes without saying that not all forms of healing require scientific validation in order to be efficacious. Individuals may derive anecdotal benefits from a wide range of non-studied practices. 

However, enough people claim to feel better after consuming chicken soup, thus further research is warranted. Is this soup just a big bowl of hype, or is it actually food used as medicine?

“The ingredients in chicken soup are full of vitamins and antioxidants which can help promote your body’s natural healing process,” Sauceda told Health. “Carrots are a source of vitamin A, which is critical for the health of your immune system and also for the cells lining your GI tract, which is the first line of defense for your body.” She also pointed to a 2021 study that found an extract from carrots to be helpful for rhinovirus.

Even the broth or water in chicken soup may be beneficial. According to Pike, it’s simple to become dehydrated when ill, so drinking something that contains water can be beneficial.