'When I'm unwell, I focus on staying hydrated and eating simple, home-cooked meals that support the immune system,' she says. 'As soon as I, or someone close to me, starts feeling under the weather, I make my mother's chicken soup – and that's not just for sentimental reasons.' While chicken soup is often dismissed as an old wives' tale, research suggests it may offer genuine benefits. Dr Donnai explains that warm broth delivers fluids and electrolytes at a time when appetite is often low, helping to prevent dehydration. Dr Donnai notes that cysteine is chemically similar to acetylcysteine, a compound used medically to thin mucus and support immune function.

Source: Daily Mail December 28, 2025 23:38 UTC