# Were Our Grandmothers Right? Soup as Medicine—A Systematic Review of Preliminary Evidence for Managing Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

## TL;DR

This review examines whether soup helps with respiratory infections, finding some evidence it may reduce symptoms and inflammation.

## Contribution

The paper provides a systematic review of soup's therapeutic effects on acute respiratory tract infections in adults.

## Key findings

- Modest reductions in symptom severity and illness duration (1–2.5 days) were observed.
- Two studies reported lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers like IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP.
- No studies evaluated absenteeism or overall well-being.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a significant global health burden, contributing to increased healthcare use, absenteeism, and economic strain. While clinical treatments exist, many individuals use traditional dietary remedies such as soup to relieve symptoms. Soup is thought to support recovery through hydration, warmth, nutritional content, and possible anti-inflammatory effects. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of soup consumption on adults with ARTIs, focusing on symptom severity, illness duration, absenteeism, immune response, inflammatory biomarkers, and overall well-being. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in February 2024 across MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, clinical trial registries, and supplementary sources. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials, and controlled before-after studies evaluating soup as an intervention for ARTIs. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. A narrative synthesis was undertaken due to heterogeneity in study design and outcome measures. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023481236). Results: Four studies (n = 342) met inclusion criteria. Interventions commonly included chicken-based soups with vegetables and herbs. Comparators varied (e.g., no treatment, water, or alternative soup). Findings showed modest reductions in symptom severity and illness duration (by 1–2.5 days). Two studies reported reductions in inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, CRP). No studies reported on absenteeism or well-being. Conclusions: Soup may offer modest benefits for ARTIs, particularly for symptom relief and inflammation. Further well-designed studies are needed to evaluate its broader clinical and functional impacts.