Soup may help you lose weight, sleep better, and control your blood sugar.
Soup may be something you only think of eating when there’s nothing else in the cupboard, or when there’s too much leftover turkey sitting in the refrigerator following Thanksgiving. It’s not simply an appetizer or something to fill up on for lunch, however. Soup can be so much more than an afterthought.
What can eating delicious soup regularly do for your health? Here are 5 reasons to dip in your spoon and slurp up.
1) Eating soup can help you cut calories
You might feel that ordering the soup-of-the-day as an appetizer could be a bad idea as it simply adds more calories but research proves the opposite to be the case. According to a study done at the University of Texas Medical Branch, ordering a rich, fatty soup as an appetizer before eating can reduce your caloric intake when it comes to the main meal. This happens as the fat in the soup is absorbed into the small intestine, making you feel full and slowing your gastric emptying.
2) Chicken soup actually really can help ease your cold
According to a study done decades ago and reported in the journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, real chicken soup may actually contain a variety of elements including anti-inflammatory substances. These could help in easing your upper respiratory symptoms when you have a cold. Good news!
Related 7 Best Mouthwatering Cheese Casseroles for January
3) Some types can reduce your blood sugar
If you eat lentil soup in place of starchy foods like rice or potatoes, you could potentially lower your blood glucose levels by up to 20%, or even more. When eating pulses in combination with rice or potatoes, you can also get good results. Foods lentils, chick peas, and kidney beans can slow your digestion, slowing the release of sugars in starchy foods into the digestive system, thereby lowering your blood sugar levels.
4) Savory broth can help cut your obesity risk
Research done at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) found that eating savory foods such as broth rich in umami alters how the brain approaches feelings of appetite and hunger. People who consumed a rich broth before eating at a buffet had more activity in the area of their brain associated with self-regulation when eating. Those who were at risk of becoming obese ate less saturated fat if they consumed the umami-rich broth first.
5) It could be good for your joints
Consuming foods containing bone marrow is thought to help reduce inflammation in your joints. Eating a bone marrow soup regularly could help reduce symptoms of arthritis and provide you with many other benefits such as helping to fight gut inflammation and better sleep.
Eating a rich broth before you dig into your main meal could be something that helps promote healthier living. Always consult with your doctor about changing your diet before you do. For a selection of great broth recipes, click here.
photo credits: AS Food studio/Shutterstock.com
