Chicken soup for the cold

Feeding a fever? Try something hot

MEALS. Chicken soup may be the all-American cold and flu panacea, but around the world, people turn to all manner of culinary curatives for the chills and sniffles.

Asian cultures, for example, long have used ginger to treat upper respiratory infections. Ginger’s spicy, warming properties are considered helpful in fortifying the body against the discomfort of the flu.

The science behind many of these remedies isn’t established, but that isn’t a reason not to try them.

“The majority of these remedies are unlikely to receive the kind of scientific scrutiny that would test their effectiveness, but they typically have strong familial or cultural associations, and people believe they work,” says Jeanne Goldberg of the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts University. “So, as long as they do no harm, these comfort foods can’t be beat.”

Research has shown many of the ingredients used in these dishes — such as garlic and chilies — are healthy. And studies have shown chicken soup really can make you feel better.