The Science Behind the Comfort: Does Chicken Broth Have Medicinal Properties?

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

For centuries, chicken soup has been hailed as a remedy for the common cold, with anecdotal evidence dating back to at least the 12th century. But beyond tradition, modern research now investigates the question: does chicken broth have medicinal properties, finding compelling evidence for its supportive role in recovery.

Quick Summary

Scientific evidence suggests chicken broth provides supportive benefits during illness through anti-inflammatory effects, hydration, electrolyte replacement, and gut-healing amino acids. It offers a nutrient-rich, easily digestible aid for recovery from infections or digestive upset.

Key Points

Anti-Inflammatory Action: Studies suggest chicken soup may inhibit the migration of certain white blood cells, potentially reducing inflammation associated with respiratory infections.
Hydration and Electrolytes: Rich in water and electrolytes like sodium and potassium, chicken broth effectively helps combat dehydration, especially important during fever or vomiting.
Gut Health Support: Amino acids like glutamine and glycine found in broth can help repair and protect the intestinal lining and reduce digestive inflammation.
Immune System Boost: When made with vegetables like carrots, onions, and garlic, the broth delivers essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support overall immune function.
Mucus Relief: The warm steam from the broth helps open nasal passages, while compounds from the chicken and added spices may thin mucus, providing temporary relief from congestion.
Appetite Stimulation: The savory, umami flavor of chicken broth can help stimulate appetite in people who are not feeling hungry due to illness.
Superiority of Homemade: Homemade broth offers higher nutrient density, lower sodium, and fewer additives compared to many commercial alternatives.

The Roots of a Healing Tradition

For generations, a warm bowl of chicken soup has been the universal prescription for what ails you, from a simple cold to general malaise. While many dismissed this as an old wives' tale, a significant body of research suggests that the wisdom of our ancestors was well-founded. The complex interplay of ingredients in chicken broth, especially homemade varieties, delivers a host of benefits that aid the body's natural healing processes. The properties are not magical, but rather a combination of specific nutrients, hydration, and the comforting psychological effect of a warm, savory meal when appetite is low.

Scientific Backing for Anti-Inflammatory Effects

One of the most cited studies supporting the benefits of chicken soup comes from research conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In laboratory experiments, researchers found that components in the soup could inhibit the migration of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell involved in the body's inflammatory response. By reducing this migration, the soup could theoretically help lessen the inflammation in the upper respiratory tract that causes many common cold symptoms, such as a stuffy or runny nose. While the anti-inflammatory effect is temporary and not a cure, it can provide significant symptomatic relief.

The Role of Amino Acids and Other Compounds

Several key compounds found in chicken broth contribute to its supportive effects:

Carnosine: This amino acid, released from chicken during cooking, is thought to play a role in reducing upper respiratory inflammation and congestion.
Histidine Dipeptides: A study in mice found that histidine dipeptides (including carnosine and anserine) from chicken broth hydrolysate demonstrated an immunomodulatory effect, helping to prevent immunosuppression.
Glutamine and Glycine: These amino acids are crucial for gut health. Glutamine is a primary fuel source for cells lining the intestines, while glycine helps reduce gut inflammation and supports the production of stomach acid.
Collagen and Gelatin: Cooking down chicken carcasses or bony parts releases collagen and gelatin into the broth. Gelatin attracts and holds digestive juices, improving digestion and potentially helping to repair a damaged gut lining.

Hydration and Electrolyte Replenishment

When we are sick with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, dehydration can quickly set in. Chicken broth is an excellent and palatable way to rehydrate the body. It combines fluid with key electrolytes—such as sodium and potassium—that are often lost during illness. Unlike plain water, which lacks these minerals, chicken broth helps replenish the balance needed for proper cellular function and can help fight that drained, sluggish feeling. The simple, digestible nature of broth makes it ideal for sensitive stomachs when heavier foods are difficult to tolerate.

Homemade Broth vs. Store-Bought: A Comparative Look

For maximum nutritional and supportive benefits, homemade chicken broth is often the superior choice. The prolonged simmering of meat, bones, cartilage, and vegetables releases more compounds into the liquid.


Feature	Homemade Chicken Broth	Commercial Store-Bought Broth
Nutrient Density	Higher, especially in collagen, amino acids, and minerals from long cooking.	Varies significantly; often lower nutrient density due to shorter processing.
Ingredients	Whole, natural ingredients like chicken, bones, vegetables, and herbs.	Can contain preservatives, artificial flavorings, and additives.
Sodium Content	Fully controllable, allowing for low-sodium or salt-free options.	Often very high in sodium to extend shelf life.
Flavor	Rich, deep, and complex, enhanced by the quality of ingredients.	Lighter, less concentrated, and potentially less flavorful.
Preparation Time	Significantly longer, typically simmering for hours.	Minimal to no preparation required.

The Psychological and Sensory Experience

The benefits of chicken broth aren't purely physiological. The simple act of preparing and consuming a warm, nourishing meal has a powerful psychological effect, offering comfort and care when you feel your worst. The soothing warmth can calm the body and the savory, umami flavor can encourage a poor appetite. This sensory experience can reduce stress and promote a more relaxed state, allowing your body to focus on healing.

Conclusion

While chicken broth is not a miracle cure or a replacement for medical treatment, its "medicinal properties" are supported by a combination of scientific evidence and time-honored tradition. Its anti-inflammatory components, hydrating power, and easily absorbed nutrients provide significant supportive benefits, especially during times of illness. For a natural and comforting way to aid your recovery, a simple bowl of homemade chicken broth remains a powerful and effective nutritional tool.

Tips for Making a Healing Broth

To maximize the supportive properties of your chicken broth, consider these tips:

Use bones and cartilage: For richer collagen and gelatin content, simmer a leftover roasted chicken carcass or purchase extra chicken feet and necks.
Add immune-boosting vegetables: Include onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, which provide antioxidants and vitamins.
Incorporate spices: Spices like black pepper and garlic can further help loosen mucus.
Simmer longer (for bone broth): Cooking the broth for a longer period of time (up to 24 hours) extracts more of the beneficial nutrients from the bones.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, chicken soup cannot cure a cold, but it provides significant supportive benefits that aid your body's recovery. The warm liquid, anti-inflammatory compounds, and nutrients help alleviate symptoms and support your immune system.

The steam from hot chicken broth helps to open nasal passages and relieve congestion. Additionally, research suggests that some ingredients in the soup, like the amino acid cysteine, may help thin and loosen mucus.

Homemade chicken broth is generally considered healthier because it is simmered longer, extracting more nutrients like collagen and minerals. Many store-bought varieties can be high in sodium and contain preservatives.

Chicken broth contains a variety of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals like potassium and magnesium, protein, and amino acids such as glutamine and glycine. These are readily absorbed by the body.

While often used interchangeably, chicken broth is typically made by simmering meat and bones for a shorter time. Bone broth uses a higher ratio of bones and simmers for a much longer period, resulting in a richer, more nutrient-dense liquid with higher collagen content.

Yes, chicken broth can support gut health. It contains amino acids like glutamine and gelatin, which can help repair and protect the intestinal lining, improve digestion, and reduce inflammation in the gut.

Yes, chicken broth is an excellent source of hydration, especially when sick. It provides fluid along with electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which help replenish what the body loses during illness from fever or vomiting.