Chicken soup has been a home remedy for colds for centuries, but today's global society often has more eclectic tastes. If traditional chicken noodle doesn't appeal to you when you're under the weather, try hot and sour soup. This savory Asian concoction contains all the things that make chicken soup so useful -- vitamin C, soothing liquid and protein -- but with the added tang of vinegar to boost the vitamin C and a bit of spice to clear your sinuses. There is no known cure for the common cold, but if you are sick you deserve to eat well.
Cold Facts
Colds are caused by viruses and are generally passed along by hand-to-hand contact, though sneezing and coughing can also spread a cold. Common cold symptoms include mild fatigue, a throat tickle that leads to a cough, and sometimes a very low fever of 99 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Colds tend to last one to three days and are not usually debilitating.
Vitamin C Facts
Vitamin C is present in many foods, including citrus fruits, tomatoes and low-sodium chicken broth. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center's website, there is no proof that vitamin C can either prevent or cure a cold, though it does seem to shorten the duration of a cold in some people.
Hot and Sour Soup Facts
There are many versions of hot and sour soup, including vegetarian. The basis is a broth that is both spicy and sour. Adding vinegar is the simplest way to achieve the sour taste. Use raw, organic vinegar to increase the vitamin and nutrient content; you can add the vinegar to homemade or commercially prepared hot and sour soup. The peppers in hot and sour soup can help clear your sinuses both when you eat the soup and when you inhale the fragrant steam.
Warning
If your cold is accompanied by body aches, serious fatigue, weakness, chills, a deep cough and a fever that is higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, it's not a cold; it's the flu. No amount of any kind of soup can treat the several deadly strains of flu that have developed, so don't try to treat this yourself. Contact your local doctor, clinic or other health care provider for advice.
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