Can You Drink Soup When You're Sick? The Science-Backed Benefits of Broths During a Cold
When battling a cold, one of the most comforting and effective remedies is sipping warm, nourishing soups. Options like chicken broth, duck soup, radish stew, and red pear soup with rock sugar aren't just traditional home remedies—they're also supported by modern understanding of nutrition and immune support. In addition to soups, herbal infusions such as chrysanthemum tea, honeysuckle tea (also known as "er hua cha"), and teas made with Scrophularia root (commonly called "pang da hai") can help soothe sore throats and reduce inflammation.
Why Warm Liquids Help During a Cold
Staying hydrated is crucial when you're under the weather, and warm liquids like soups play a dual role: they replenish lost fluids and deliver essential nutrients. Colds often trigger fever and increased sweating, leading to higher levels of insensible water loss—meaning your body loses moisture through breathing and perspiration without you noticing. Drinking plenty of fluids helps maintain hydration, supports kidney function, and encourages the elimination of toxins and viral byproducts through urine.
Nutrient-Rich Soups That Support Recovery
Chicken or duck soup isn't just an old wives' tale—it has real physiological benefits. Research suggests that chicken soup may have mild anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce congestion and ease cold symptoms. For those with a weaker constitution or recovering from illness, adding protein-rich ingredients like chicken, duck, or pork ribs provides amino acids necessary for tissue repair and immune function.
If coughing or throat irritation is present, consider soothing blends like red pear soup with lily bulbs and tremella fungus (silver ear mushroom). This combination not only hydrates but also lubricates the respiratory tract, helping to calm dry or persistent coughs. Similarly, lotus seed and lily bulb soup offers calming, restorative properties that promote better sleep and reduce fatigue during recovery.
Hydration as a Healing Tool
During a cold, your body's metabolic rate increases due to fever and immune activity. This means you burn more energy and lose more water—even if you're not physically active. Consuming broths and warm drinks helps restore fluid balance, maintain electrolyte levels, and provide accessible calories when appetite is low.
Moreover, frequent urination stimulated by high fluid intake assists in flushing out waste products generated by virus breakdown. This natural detoxification process can shorten the duration of illness and accelerate recovery.
Beverages That Complement Soup Therapy
In addition to soups, integrating herbal teas into your cold-fighting routine adds another layer of defense. Chrysanthemum tea cools the body and reduces feverish symptoms, while honeysuckle is known for its antiviral qualities. Pang da hai tea swells when soaked and forms a mucilaginous texture that coats the throat, offering relief from scratchiness and dryness.
All of these options are gentle on the digestive system, easy to prepare, and highly effective when consumed regularly during the early and peak stages of a cold.
Conclusion: Make Soup a Staple in Your Cold Recovery Plan
Far more than comfort food, soups and warm beverages are functional tools in fighting off infections. From boosting hydration to delivering immune-supportive nutrients, incorporating broths like chicken soup, red pear lily tea, or vegetable-based stews into your diet can significantly improve how you feel—and how quickly you recover. So next time you feel a cold coming on, reach for the pot and start simmering a healing brew.