As the seasons change, daylight shifts and temperatures drop, our bodies face added stress. The decrease in sunlight and the approach of cooler weather can tax our immune systems, making us more susceptible to colds and viruses.
This is where a time-tested remedy comes in: chicken soup. Not only does it bring comfort, but it also contains ingredients that can boost your immune system and help you stave off seasonal sickness.
Let’s get right into how chicken soup can be a powerful natural remedy, especially when packed with garlic and chicken fat (yes, some fat can be good for you!).
Garlic: The Antiviral Powerhouse
Not only has garlic been known to repel vampires, but it’s a key ingredient in many cultures’ cold remedies, and for good reason. Its antiviral properties are scientifically supported, especially when consumed fresh or lightly cooked.
To retain these health benefits in chicken soup, add garlic to the end of the cooking process to ensure you don’t lose its potency. Overcooking garlic can reduce its antiviral power, so keeping it “alive” in your soup helps boost its cold-fighting potential.
Chicken Fat: A Natural Cold Fighter
Another important immune-boosting ingredient is chicken fat. In a traditional chicken soup, fat from the chicken helps deliver essential nutrients and enhances the soup’s ability to soothe and heal. Whether you’re using a whole chicken or just the parts you prefer, the key is to allow the natural fats to blend into your broth. The fat carries flavor but also contributes to the soup’s overall therapeutic properties.
A Few Cooking Tricks for Maximum Flavor
In her cookbook, Around My French Table, Dorie Greenspan has a recipe called Côte d’Azur Cure-All Soup made with egg yolks and garlic. She offers a helpful trick that can improve your chicken soup. Remove the bitter germ from the garlic to preserve its sweet flavor. Likewise, rinsing onions in cold water can eliminate bitterness and create a smoother, sweeter base for your broth.
How to Make Immune-Boosting Chicken Soup
- Ingredients: Organic chicken, garlic, carrots, onion, and egg noodles.
- Method: Sauté the vegetables in olive oil with seasoning, then boil the chicken to create a stock. Add fresh garlic at the end of the cooking process to preserve its health benefits. Don’t forget to freeze some for when the next cold comes around!
Chicken soup is more than just comfort food—it’s a nourishing remedy for the immune system, ready to soothe your body when you need it most.
Of course, chiropractic care offers another great way to boost your immune system. Contact Dr. Brian McGuckin Laboratory Nutrition Chiropractic Internist today to book an appointment with Dr. Brian McGuckin!
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