But he proclaimed steamy soup a quicker, more efficient remedy. For example, cysteine, an amino acid released from chicken in cooking, chemically resembles the drug acetylcysteine, prescribed for bronchitis and other respiratory problems. Pungent ingredients often added to chicken soup, such as garlic, cayenne pepper and curry spices, all are ancient treatments for respiratory diseases. They work the same way as expectorant drugs and cough medicines, thinning mucus and making breathing easier. The more garlic and hot spices added to chicken soup, Ziment says, the better the soup will be at clearing your lungs.
Chicken soup is probably the best therapy there is for a cold.
Chicken soup seems to prevent this. This may explain why even one bowl of chicken soup helps stop symptoms, Rennard says. In a blender or food processor, pure the cooked garlic, onions and herbs with a little liquid and stir back into the soup. Add lemon juice. If you want a clear broth, filter out the solid constituents.