Health Benefits of Soup

October 11th, 2011

Health Benefits of Soup Ancient Greece is said to be the earliest nation to drink soup. It is believed that during the Olympics, each athlete is required to bring a calf or goat to the temple of Zeus. The animals were thrown in a huge pot and cooked as a ritual. The meat is then distributed to the non-athletes while the soup is distributed to the athletes for them to drink to increase their stamina.

This ancient practice lived on from generation to generation until today. Boiling meat and vegetables in water releases their nutrients which the body quickly absorbs without having the need to break down the food through the process of digestion.

There are a multitude of ways to cook soup especially with the availability of a vast array of ingredients, but the most common ingredients include bones of chicken, beef or pork, chicken meat and vegetables.

However, how does each main ingredient benefit the body?

1. Meat Bones – As we age, our bones become thin, brittle and compressed under pressure. This is why we shrink as we grow older. This is what we call Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is more common in women than in men because women start with lower bone density than males. They also lose bone mass quickly as they age due to the body’s changing levels of estrogen.

While milk is an excellent source of calcium, a mineral that fights osteoporosis, there are however a great number of people who are lactose-intolerant or just have certain aversions to milk.

Bone soups contain calcium ions, collagen, proteins, fats and natural salt which all enhance micro-circulation. Micro-circulation aids in cell production and better cell production helps delay the aging process.

2. Chicken soup – Who doesn’t know about the health benefits of this comforting soup? Chicken soup is widely known for fighting colds and flu because it improves circulation near the throat and windpipe. Chicken is also a good source of nutrients that help boost the immune system.

3. Vegetable soup – We are all aware that vegetables, especially the green and leafy ones are number one detoxifiers. The elimination of toxins in the body help fight a number of illnesses including colon cancer, constipation, stomach ulcer, hypertension, illnesses and diseases caused by high cholesterol levels and so on. Vegetable soup is also ideal for weight loss.

There you have it! Soup – whether chicken, vegetable or meat bones are rich sources of health benefiting vitamins, minerals and nutrients that fight diseases and illnesses as well as boost the immune system.