Chicken Soup
Common Name(s): Nikogori (chicken jelly soup)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 1, 2019.
Clinical Overview
Use
Clinical studies are lacking. A strong placebo effect may result from the social setting in which the soup is commonly delivered; however, the healing effect of chicken soup may be related in part to its nutritive value and in part to the effect of warm vapor on the nasal mucosa.
Dosing
As a food or a remedy, chicken soup is administered by the cup or bowlful.
Contraindications
Contraindications have not been identified.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) or used as food; dosages above those in foods are unproven and should be avoided.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Anaphylaxis has been reported. Aspiration of bone material has been documented. Hypernatremia due to the sodium content has also been reported
Toxicology
Information is lacking.
Source
Chicken soup is obtained from a hot water infusion of selected parts of the common chicken Gallus domesticus.1 Nikogori, or chicken jelly soup, uses the meat from chicken wings.2
History
Chicken soup has long been recognized as an important part of the physician's armamentarium.3, 4, 5 Therapeutic observations of chicken soup were recorded by Pedacius Dioscorides, an army surgeon under the emperor Nero, as far back as 60 AD in his pharmacopeia De Materia Medica. Aretaeus the Cappadocian (second to third century AD) is credited with describing how boiled chicken can treat respiratory tract disorders.6 In the 12th century, the theologian and physician Moses Maimonides wrote, "Chicken soup... is recommended as an excellent food as well as medication." He further specified that, when selecting a chicken, "One should not use the too large, that is of more than 2 years of age; nor the too small, that is those in whom the mucus still prevails; neither too lean, nor those who through feeding becomes obese; but those that are fat by nature without being stuffed."3, 4, 5, 7
In 1975, the editor of Chest published a spoof of uncontrolled studies entitled "Chicken Soup Rebound and Relapse of Pneumonia: Report of a Case" in which patients suffered severe pneumonia requiring a thoracotomy and treatment with penicillin after a course of self-treatment with chicken soup was discontinued.7 A flood of correspondence resulted over the next 5 years expounding the virtues of chicken soup. Claims have included antibacterial activity and use in the treatment of impotence, frustration, anxiety, and backache.8, 9, 10, 11
Chemistry
The composition of chicken soup can vary considerably, due to the cooking technique, and often contains large amounts of vegetables. Chicken has been shown to contain the amino acid cysteine, chemically similar to the mucolytic acetylcysteine, which acts by cleaving disulfide bonds.12 Cholesterol and salt content of chicken soup may be of concern in vulnerable persons. Cooking chicken bones in the soup for a longer duration may increase its calcium content.13 Chicken and rice soup and chicken noodle soup are the subject of some research, and as such have a different composition compared with basic chicken broth.
Uses and Pharmacology
Clinical studies are lacking and reports of efficacy from chicken soup administration may be subject to confounding or the "chicken soup paradigm,"14 whereby healing is achieved through the provision of nutrients. A strong placebo effect may result from the social setting in which the soup is commonly delivered. The taste and smell makes blinding in such studies difficult.1
Respiratory tract disorders
Animal data
Research reveals no animal data regarding the use of chicken soup for respiratory tract disorders.
Clinical data
The effects of inhaling the warm vapors of chicken soup have been investigated experimentally.1, 4, 7, 15, 16, 17 Inhalation of warm vapor increases the temperature of the nasal passages, loosening thick secretions, and increasing cilia function.4 Inhibition of neutrophil activity has also been demonstrated,1, 4, 13, 18 although some researchers question the logic of decreasing the neutrophilic response to infection.18
Other effects
Antioxidant activity has been demonstrated in vitro with chicken jelly soup, which is high in collagen protein.2
A study investigating food preference after colorectal surgery found that patients favored chicken noodle soup over clear fluids as an option for postsurgery nutrition,19 and a further study found that chicken and rice soup increased fullness and satiety over solid food eaten with fluids.20
Chicken noodle soup eaten before exercise has been shown to improve fluid balance and decrease changes in plasma volume compared with water alone.21, 22
Older reports exist for chicken soup therapy in facial pain, asthma, lymphocytic thyroiditis, and rheumatoid arthritis.23, 24, 25, 26
Dosing
As a food or a remedy, chicken soup is administered by the cup or bowlful.
Pregnancy / Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. GRAS or used as food; dosages above those in foods are unproven and should be avoided.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Case reports of pneumonia and respiratory distress secondary to the aspiration of bone material from chicken soup exist.27, 28 Hypernatremia due to the sodium content has also been reported.29, 30, 31 There is at least 1 case report of anaphylaxis to chicken soup.32
Toxicology
Research reveals limited information regarding the toxicity of chicken soup.
References
Disclaimer
This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been reviewed by the FDA to determine whether it is safe or effective and is not subject to the quality standards and safety information collection standards that are applicable to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this product. This information does not endorse this product as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this product. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this product. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You should talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this product.
This product may adversely interact with certain health and medical conditions, other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, foods, or other dietary supplements. This product may be unsafe when used before surgery or other medical procedures. It is important to fully inform your doctor about the herbal, vitamins, mineral or any other supplements you are taking before any kind of surgery or medical procedure. With the exception of certain products that are generally recognized as safe in normal quantities, including use of folic acid and prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, this product has not been sufficiently studied to determine whether it is safe to use during pregnancy or nursing or by persons younger than 2 years of age.
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