SPECIAL TO OUR HEALTH

Having a cold is not fun . A stuffy nose , sniffles , sore throat , and other symptoms make having a cold a generally unpleasant experience .

According to data collected by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association , the average consumer shops for overthe counter medicine 26 times a year , with peak visits occurring in the wintertime , when colds and flu infections are more prominent .

To make cold-related matters worse , a U . S . Food and Drug Administration panel concluded in September 2023 that the popular decongestant phenylephrine , which is found in many overthe-counter cold remedies , is ineffective when taken orally . Phenylephrine became the standard decongestant in formulations when pseudoephedrine , another

decongestant , became more closely regulated due to its usage in the production of illegal drugs like methamphetamine . Phenylephrine products then became the go-to , as they did not need to be stored behind pharmacy counters and “ signed out ” like products that included pseudoephedrine .

Rather than accepting their cold symptoms this season , individuals may want to turn to something much more natural that also has great promise : soup . It ’ s not an old wive ’ s tale that soup can be helpful for colds and other illnesses . In fact , philosopher and physician Moshe ben Maimonides prescribed chicken soup as a treatment for respiratory tract illnesses as early as the 12th century . Penn Medicine advises that soup can be a go-to food to combat illness because it is light , easy-to-digest , nourishing and restorative .

Here ’ s a look at some of the ways soup can help when people are feeling under the weather .

Hydrating broth : Staying hydrated is one of the ways the body can more effectively fight off illness . Broth-based soups are hydrating and tasty . They may be tolerated more readily than sports drinks or water for a person who needs fluids .

Soothing : The warmth of soup can soothe an irritated throat . Furthermore , soups usually have softened ingredients in them , making it much less likely that sharp or tough ingredients will scrape an inflamed throat .

Nutrient-dense : Most soups are loaded with vegetables , beans and other healthy ingredients . They provide many of the vitamins and minerals the body needs , and may even help replenish nutrients that have been depleted due to illness .

Sodium content : Sodium is an essential mineral the body needs . Proactive Health Labs says soup regulates body fluids and transmits electrical impulses in the body . In moderation , sodium may be good when a person is feeling ill . In addition , sodium and other seasonings in soup can awaken taste buds that are dulled when sick with a cold . Salt also helps alleviate sore throat pain and can help clear nasal congestion .

Garlic infusion : Soups that contain garlic or garlic extract may reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms , according to a University of Florida study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition .

Soup may be the best medicine when a person has a cold . Its many properties may help make soup as effective , or even more so , than some products at the pharmacy .

OURHEALTHNWA . COM 12 PREVENTION & WELLNESS ISSUE | DECEMBER 2024