Treating Cold Symptoms With Bone Broth
A bowl of bone broth won’t cure your cold but it will alleviate some of the symptoms. The nutritional benefits will boost your immune system.
For centuries, bone broth has been considered a remedy for colds in many traditional healing practices. Either in soup form or as a drink, and we still continue to turn to it when we get a cold. Let’s dive into the science behind it.
Warming up
First of all, since viruses usually thrive in cold temperatures, drinking a hot beverage like broth or eating chicken soup might help avert seasonal flu.
Stronger immunity
At lower temperatures, our bodies tend to produce fewer antiviral immune signals and leave us more susceptible to infections. That is why bone broth is so helpful. It contains numerous vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that strengthen your immune function.
Cleared airways
Scientific evidence shows bone broth can also bolster the movement of nasal fluids in the upper respiratory tract, which is essential for curing infections like the common cold.
One study showed bone broth is far more effective at clearing the breathing passages than hot water. The combination of ingredients typically:
- Bones
- Onions
- Carrots
- Celery
- Parsley
- Parsnips
- Salt & Pepper
All these ingredients work together to clear the airways and ease nasal congestion.
Proper hydration
When you get a cold, you’ll probably hear the advice “drink more liquids.” Indeed, staying hydrated is crucial, it helps maintain immune function and detoxify the body. Bone broth is a good source of electrolytes, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, which are famous for hydrating the body, better than water.
Sources:
An Inside Scoop on the Science Behind Chicken Soup and the Common Cold