What Soup Is Good for Hydration? A Comprehensive Guide

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Scientific studies show that many broth-based soups contain over 90% water, making them excellent for hydration. So, what soup is good for hydration? Beyond just simple fluid intake, the right soups offer a flavorful and nutrient-dense way to replenish fluids and essential electrolytes.

Quick Summary

Broth-based soups like chicken noodle, bone broth, and vegetable soup are top hydrating choices, rich in water and electrolytes to effectively replenish fluids.

Key Points

Broth-based soups are best: Options like chicken, vegetable, and bone broth are most effective for hydration due to their high water content.
Electrolytes are key: Soup helps replenish lost fluids and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, which are crucial for fluid balance.
Homemade controls sodium: Making your own soup from scratch allows you to monitor and control the sodium levels, which can be high in store-bought versions.
Chilled soups are hydrating: Cold soups like gazpacho offer a refreshing and equally hydrating option for warm weather.
Nutrient-dense additions enhance benefits: Adding high-water vegetables, lean protein, and spices like ginger and turmeric boosts your soup's nutritional and immune-supporting properties.
Not all soups are equal: Creamy or heavy soups may contain less water and more calories, making broth-based versions the better hydrating choice.

The Science Behind Soup and Hydration

While drinking water is the most direct route to hydration, soup offers a dual benefit by combining fluid with electrolytes and nutrients. Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium are vital for maintaining proper fluid balance in the body, nerve function, and muscle contractions. When you lose fluids through sweat, illness, or fever, you also lose electrolytes, and a simple water-only approach may not be sufficient for optimal recovery. The sodium in soup helps the body retain water, preventing it from being excreted too quickly. Additionally, the warmth of hot soup can help soothe a sore throat and open up nasal passages, offering comfort during illness.

Top Broth-Based Soups for Maximum Hydration

Chicken Noodle Soup

Perhaps the most classic remedy for illness, chicken noodle soup is an easy-to-digest source of vitamins, minerals, and calories that can be consumed when your appetite is low. The broth provides hydrating fluids and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, making it particularly effective for rehydration during illness involving vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.

Bone Broth

For a truly concentrated source of minerals, bone broth is an excellent choice. Made by simmering animal bones, it is naturally rich in electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and magnesium. A single cup can contain significant amounts of potassium, more than many electrolyte supplements. Bone broth is also lauded for its potential benefits for gut and joint health due to its collagen and amino acid content. It can be sipped on its own or used as a base for other soups.

Vegetable Soup

Packed with high-water content vegetables such as celery, cucumber, zucchini, and tomatoes, a broth-based vegetable soup is a fantastic hydrating option. These ingredients also provide a wide array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support overall health. When you cook vegetables in broth, their nutrients infuse the liquid, creating a delicious and hydrating tonic.

Miso Soup

This light Japanese soup combines a savory broth with fermented miso paste, which provides beneficial probiotics for gut health. Adding ingredients like tofu and seaweed further enriches the soup with protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it a well-rounded choice for rehydration and immune support.

Chilled Soups for Warm Weather Hydration

When the weather is hot, a steaming bowl of soup may not be appealing. Luckily, chilled soups offer a refreshing and hydrating alternative.

Gazpacho: This cold tomato-based soup is made with high-water-content vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, along with healthy fats from olive oil. It is rich in electrolytes and antioxidants, perfect for replenishing fluids on a hot day.
Cucumber Soup: A no-cook option, this soup can be blended with other hydrating vegetables like zucchini for a light and revitalizing snack. Some versions incorporate yogurt for a creamy texture and added nutrients.

How to Customize Your Hydrating Soup

Creating your own soup allows you to control the sodium content and tailor the ingredients to your needs. For extra hydration and nutrients, consider these additions:

Boost the Veggies: Add leafy greens like kale or spinach, which wilt quickly into a hot broth.
Increase the Protein: Shredded chicken, chickpeas, or lentils can make your soup more satisfying and provide essential amino acids for recovery.
Add Spices for Flavor and Health: Ginger, turmeric, and garlic can add flavor and offer anti-inflammatory properties. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving provides a boost of vitamin C.

Comparison of Hydrating Soups


Feature	Chicken Noodle Soup	Bone Broth	Vegetable Soup	Gazpacho	Miso Soup
Primary Function	General rehydration, comfort	Mineral and electrolyte replenishment	Vitamin and antioxidant boost	Cooling, electrolyte-rich	Probiotic and mineral source
Best For	Illness, low appetite	Athletes, gut health	Everyday hydration	Warm weather	Gut support
Electrolytes	Good (Sodium, Potassium)	Excellent (K, Na, Mg, P)	Good (Variable)	Good (Sodium, Potassium)	Good (Sodium, Minerals)
Water Content	Very High	Very High	High	Very High	High
Nutrients	Protein, Vitamins, Minerals	Collagen, Amino Acids, Minerals	Fiber, Vitamins, Antioxidants	Vitamins, Fiber, Antioxidants	Probiotics, Minerals, Protein
Best Served	Hot	Hot or as a beverage	Hot	Chilled	Hot

Conclusion: More Than Just a Comfort Food

Soup is much more than a simple cold-weather dish; it is a potent tool for maintaining and restoring hydration due to its high water content and rich combination of electrolytes and essential nutrients. Whether it’s a classic hot chicken noodle soup to help fight a fever or a refreshing, chilled gazpacho on a sweltering day, the right soup can effectively supplement your daily fluid intake. By choosing broth-based options packed with a variety of vegetables and proteins, you can ensure your body receives the balanced nourishment it needs to function optimally and recover from fluid loss. The therapeutic comfort of a warm bowl of soup, paired with its scientifically-backed hydrating properties, makes it a powerful and delicious addition to any wellness routine. For more health-focused tips, consider exploring resources from trusted sources like Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all soups are equally hydrating. Broth-based soups, like chicken, vegetable, and bone broth, are the most effective because they have a high water content and provide essential electrolytes. Cream-based soups tend to be heavier and contain less fluid proportionally.

No, soup should not completely replace your daily water consumption. It can, however, be a great supplement to your fluid intake, especially when you need to replenish electrolytes lost due to illness or exercise.

When you're sick, chicken noodle soup is beneficial for several reasons: the broth provides hydrating fluids and electrolytes, the steam helps clear congestion, and the ingredients offer easy-to-digest nutrients like protein and vitamins. All of these factors aid in the recovery process.

Electrolytes are minerals, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, that help maintain proper fluid balance in your body. They are essential for nerve signals, muscle function, and organ function. During fluid loss, electrolytes are also lost, and soup helps to replenish both.

Making your own soup is often better because you can control the ingredients, especially the sodium content. Store-bought broths and soups can be very high in sodium, so checking the labels is important, especially if you have high blood pressure.

Yes, chilled soups can be very hydrating. For example, gazpacho is made with high-water vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, providing fluids and electrolytes in a refreshing format perfect for warm weather.

High-water content vegetables are ideal for hydrating soups. Excellent choices include cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, zucchini, and leafy greens like spinach and kale.