Why does eating chicken pho help you recover from illness faster?

Feeding sick people chicken noodles/pho has been a common practice around the world for centuries. Today, generations from almost every culture believe in the benefits of chicken broth, according to The Conversation.

Chicken soup has been used as a therapeutic remedy since around 60 AD.

So, as flu season approaches, the question arises: What does science say about the effects of chicken broth on people with colds?

Dr. Colby Teeman, a nutritionist and associate professor in the Department of Health and Sports Sciences at the University of Dayton (USA), explains: The warmth of the broth and the rich, savory flavors of the chicken, vegetables, and noodles in pho are excellent. What gives chicken pho its special flavor is the "meaty taste - umami."

Helps increase appetite and improve digestion.

What gives chicken pho its special flavor is the "meaty taste - umami".

Studies show that flavor is very important to the healing properties of chicken noodles/pho. Doctors have noticed that patients with upper respiratory illnesses often suddenly eat less or not at all. This is because acute illnesses cause inflammatory responses that can reduce appetite.

This will lead to difficulty in getting enough essential nutrients, which will negatively affect immunity and recovery.

But evidence suggests that the "meat flavor" in chicken broth may help stimulate appetite. Research shows that participants felt hungrier after their first taste of chicken broth with a "meat flavor."

Other studies suggest that this ingredient may also improve nutrient digestion, making protein absorption easier.

This can help alleviate the digestive symptoms that many people experience when they are sick. Research has found that the flu virus exacerbates symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

It may help reduce inflammation and nasal congestion.

Eating chicken pho can help reduce inflammation and nasal congestion.

Inflammation occurs when white blood cells migrate to inflamed tissue to aid in the healing process. When this inflammation occurs in the upper respiratory tract, it leads to cold symptoms such as nasal congestion or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and thick mucus.

Studies show that chicken broth can directly inhibit neutrophil migration to inflamed tissue. This, in turn, helps reduce the number of white blood cells migrating to inflamed tissues.

Main ingredients

Chicken provides the body with a sufficient source of protein to fight infection. Vegetables provide a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Noodles and pho provide easily digestible carbohydrates that the body uses for energy and recovery.

Even the warmth of chicken broth can help. Sipping the broth and inhaling the steam increases the temperature of the nasal and respiratory tracts, loosening mucus in people with respiratory illnesses. Compared to hot water, studies show that chicken broth is more effective at thinning mucus.

The herbs and spices added to chicken pho, such as pepper, onion, and ginger, also help to thin the mucus. The broth contains electrolytes that help rehydrate the body.

In short, the latest science suggests that chicken noodle soup actually helps cure diseases, according to The Conversation.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/chuyen-gia-giai-thich-vi-sao-an-pho-ga-giup-ban-mau-khoi-benh-185231024102000917.htm