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Can Chicken Noodle Soup Really Cure My Cold?

September 29, 2025

When you’re sick, nothing tastes quite as good as a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup. It’s warm, soothing, and somehow just feels like medicine.

But can this classic comfort food actually cure your cold — or is it just an old wives’ tale passed down through generations?

“Chicken noodle soup won’t make your cold disappear overnight,” says Ulysses Wu, MD, with Hartford HealthCare. “It won’t kill the viruses that cause common colds. But there are real reasons it makes you feel better.”

Here’s why chicken soup and colds go hand in hand.

1. It keeps you hydrated.

When you’re sick, staying hydrated is half the battle. Broth-based soups make that easier because every spoonful delivers fluid along with flavor. Unlike plain water, soup feels more satisfying when your appetite is low.

“Fluids – whether warm or hot – will prevent dehydration. Warm liquids, in particular, might make you feel better because they increase the flow of nasal mucus,” says Dr. Wu. “Chicken soup also combines that hydration with electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which are also key.”

That balance matters. When you’re running a fever, sweating, or blowing your nose constantly, your body loses both fluids and electrolytes. Soup helps replace both, which can prevent that drained, sluggish feeling that comes with dehydration.

> Related: What to Eat and Drink for a Cold

2. The steam makes breathing easier.

Ever notice how you can breathe a little better after a few spoonfuls? That’s not your imagination — the steam rising from the bowl is doing some of the work for you.

“The heat and steam from the broth can open nasal passages and relieve congestion, at least temporarily,” says Dr. Wu.

Even if the effect is short-lived, it can bring the kind of relief that helps you rest and recover.

> What’s Causing Your Sniffles — Cold, Sinus Infection or Allergies? 

3. The nutrients give your body a boost.

Chicken soup usually includes protein, vegetables and herbs — all of which provide nutrients your body needs when it’s fighting infection.

“Protein from chicken supports immune function, while vegetables add antioxidants and vitamins,” Dr. Wu says. “It’s a balanced, easy-to-digest meal when you might not feel like eating much else.”

The gentle flavors are also easier on a sensitive stomach. If you’re too sick for heavy meals, soup offers calories, vitamins and minerals in a form your body can handle — keeping your strength up while your immune system does its job.

> Related: 7 Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System

4. Comfort food matters too.

Not every benefit of chicken noodle soup is rooted in science.

“When you’re sick, comfort plays a huge role in how you feel,” says Dr. Wu. “Chicken soup has been part of cultural traditions for centuries, so it carries that psychological boost as well.”

That familiar flavor can ease stress, spark memories of being cared for, and make recovery feel a little less lonely. And feeling comforted, even in small ways, can help your body relax enough to heal.

Here’s the bottom line.

Will chicken noodle soup really cure your cold? Not really. But it can make symptoms easier to manage, keep you nourished, and maybe even speed up recovery a little.

“Think of it as support, not a cure,” says Dr. Wu. “It’s one piece of the puzzle, along with rest, fluids, and time.”

In other words: Grandma was onto something.