Most people have heard that you should have chicken soup when you are feeling sick, but not nearly as many people know why. Chicken soup may not be in as much favor now as it used to be, with so many over-the-counter and prescription drugs available for use, but it can still be a great way to get on the road to recovery.

One of the primary things that makes chicken soup so helpful is that it helps you to stay hydrated. Water is a very important part of our body’s proper functioning, so anything that will make us take in more fluid will be very valuable. Putting more fluids through the body helps with flow through the lymph nodes, which help to eliminate toxins and byproducts.

Of course, along with the water there are typically many other herbs and spices. Sodium (salt) is going to be an important part of this mix for the body functioning properly. If you are normally otherwise healthy, then you don’t need to go for the “low-sodium” versions of the soup. People with hypertension (high blood pressure) need to be more careful with this, but electrolytes like sodium are still important for proper hydration.

The protein found in the chicken is also going to help with recovery. Besides water, protein is the most abundant component of the body and we need even more of it when we are sick to help the immune system work properly and to repair damage done by bacteria and viruses.

Being a proponent of healthy living in general, I also recommend buying (or making) your chicken soup with hormone-free chickens farmed humanely. I’ve even seen vegetarian “chicken soup” made with tofu, so that can definitely be a good alternative as it will still provide good hydration, electrolytes, and protein.

Now, don’t get sick in first place (look around the site for some good ways to boost the immune system), but if you do make sure to add a good food along the lines of chicken soup to your recovery plan.