HOW CHICKEN SOUP/ BROTH OR AN APPLE / CITRUS JUICES WORKS AS EXPECTORANT ? “WINTER IMMUNITY BOOSTER”

When the winter set in, there will be a lot of issues related to respiratory tract infection. There is increasing flu, coughing and chest congestion problems. Beside medication, there are lot of natural means to protect themselves from these health issues. We should drink enough water (especially warm one), de-caffeinated tea, warm fruit juice, lemon water, broths and soup. Honey and steam are also the good for this seasonal infection. Increase warm water and warm fruit juice intake will add moisture to mucus thus reduces the thickness /viscosity of mucus which in turn make the mucus less sticky and increase its flow and it becomes easier to remove it through coughing. Among all the natural expectorant, I personally recommend chicken soup/broth which incorporates all the goodness and medicinal properties of spices, chicken and vegetables. Now the question is that, what is difference between broth and soup. The difference is very technical but both terms are used interchangeably. For one, we use bones while for other we don’t use bones.

MAKING OF CHICKEN SOUP

Take enough water in a pot and add washed chicken/ mutton with bones. Then add garlic cloves,1piece of ginger, turmeric, spices (7-8 black pepper, cloves/long, 2-3cinnamon sticks, some cumin), salt along with spring onion/simple onion, carrot and tomato. Simmer it for few hours then a rich flavored warm water is ready to enjoy and to keep you away from infections in this winter. You can take it daily or at least three -four times a week.

HOW THE DIFFERENT INGREDIENTS USED IN SOUP SHOW THEIR MEDICINAL PROPERTIES AGAINST RESPIRATORY DISORDERS?

As we know, chicken soup is loaded with disease fighting nutrients. When you get ill, it is best antidote by boosting your immune system and also helpful in keeping you well hydrated and defend you from cold, flu and others ailments. Let’s discuss how the vegetables, spices and chicken itself makes the soup rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes.

CHICKEN 

Chicken itself is good source of protein. It’s also containing key immunity nutrient that is zinc. When bones of chicken are allowed to simmer for long periods then there is release of gelatin (jelly like substance which gives soup a jelly like consistency) and some amount of calcium. 

GINGER 

Ginger is full of antioxidants and show it’s antiviral and antibacterial properties. It relieves congestion and acts as decongestant, expectorant and anti-histamine.

GARLIC

Garlic contains a compound Alliin. When garlic is crushed or chewed this ALLIIN converts into Allicin which contain Sulphur i.e. unstable one and covert rapidly into other Sulphur containing components which by boosting immunity helps the body to fight against viruses responsible for cold and flu.

ONIONS 

Onions are rich in Sulphur compound, dietary flavonoids, vitamins C and fiber, selenium and zinc. Vitamin C and zinc boost immunity and act as antibacterial and antiviral.

CARROT 

Carrot has antioxidants in the form of beta carotene (vitamins A) and vitamin B6 which boost the immune system and also have important role in eye and skin health.

TOMATO 

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin B9 (folate) and have some magnesium also. Both of them helpful in preventing infection. 

CUMIN

Cumin fight against bacteria and parasites and also show anti-inflammatory properties. It is also rich in the substances which act as antioxidant. It is appetite stimulant also. So, during and after infection when patient is not willing to eat something then incorporation of cumin will be helpful in enhancing appetite. 

BLACK PEPPER 

 Black pepper is loaded with vitamin C so it’s boosted the immunity and combat the infection.

CLOVES 

Cloves are rich in antioxidant which boost immune system and fight against infection that’s why cloves have antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

CINNAMON 

Like cloves, cinnamon is also rich in antioxidants and show its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. 

TURMERIC 

Turmeric has curcumin as active ingredient which has proven anti-inflammatory properties. It is rich in antioxidants to boost immunity.

In short, chicken soup is rich flavor water which all along with its ingredient has powerful nutritional (carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants) and medicinal properties It act as expectorant and enhance winter immunity. It protects us from viral infection and during infection helpful in relieving chest congestion and flu symptoms. 

Stay healthy in this winter and enjoy this warm soup along with warm Apple and Oranges juice. Both juices are rich in vitamin C which enhance your immunity. Apple juice also act as expectorant by increasing water content of mucus and make it less sticky and increase its flow while coughing up. Both juices protect you from anemia (a condition in which there is deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin) due to this you don’t feel lethargic. Apples contain iron while vitamin C of orange juice increase absorption of iron from gastrointestinal tract and prevent us from the deficiency of blood. 

Despite of it, if symptoms persist consult the doctor immediately.