Lately, I've grown a liking to the taste of soup. Basically a soup is defined as 'a nourishing food that is made by combining ingredients such as meat and vegetables in stock or hot/boiling water, until the flavor is extracted, forming a broth' according to wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. It can be home-made or bought at a local grocery store but the former definitely has more benefits. The time, labour and effort put into concoting a steaming bowl of 'home-made soup' makes the meal even more enticing. These are a number of benefits derived from soup that I have researched on:
1) It has been scientifically proven to combat infection and cold due to its anti-inflammatory effects and can help warm you up especially during the cold season when colds and flus are most prevalent.
2)It has been an ancient and time honoured technique practiced by the Chinese to brew soup such as those containing ginseng to improve circulation memory and thinking, those with spinach and ginger to promote digestion and winter melon to help cool down the body.
2) They help restore the necessary water balance, which in turn helps keep our blood pressure (and salt content) under control.
3) They are economical and convenient as you can basically just add anything to soup. Those left-over meat and chicken bones from a Sunday lunch can fill your home with a wonderful aroma and lower your food costs in terms of whipping up something that involves more time, preparation and ingredients. Plus, you can later freeze the soup and at a later date just defrost and reheat it. This will give you a head start on next week's meals. And what better convenience for a College/University student on a low budget than popping open a can of soup that can be microwaved, freezed or dehydrated and costing anywhere from 50 cents to $2?
4) They are versatile as one day you could thicken your soup with elbow macaroni, the next day diced potatoes, then rice, barley bread and additional protein.
5) They are great for sick people and those who have trouble chewing, digesting and swallowing.
6) It is an excellent way to add healthy vegetables and protein to your meals. Vegetables without doubt are famous for their anti-oxidant properties which can lower the risk of cancer and heart disease.
7) The protein in hearty soups helps satisfy hunger, and the nutrient rich liquid is digested rapidly which signals your brain that you're full.
8) Miso soup and other soups made with soy can help lower the risk of breast cancer. In fact, a recent Japanese study showed that their level of breast cancer is about 10times lower than in the West. Miso soup is also said to help regulate the hormone oestrogen in women, a hormone that can cause tumors to develop. Miso soup is also rich with antioxidants and protective fatty acids, and a healthy dose of Vitamin E. It also boasts protein and Vitamin B12, and a nice selection of minerals to help boost the strength of your immune system.
9)Unlike what happens during stewing and frying, vegetables, mushrooms, meat and poultry cooked directly in soups conserve much more of their natural nutrients, vitamins and general essence which makes them nutritious and filling.
10)Many soups in groceries now come in lower sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol alternatives which makes it ideal for those watching their intake.
11) Can be great for kids too if you add macaroni which kids simply adore so this pleases them and ensures that they get the proper nutrients.
So all in all, drink up to a hearty bowl of nourishing home-made soup!
very informative.soup is nutritious but a balanced diet should also consist of meat, fruits, vegetables and fish.if u prepare a soup with meat & veg. in it & eat everything in it then that would be sufficient. soup is easy 2 prepare & u can put any stuff that u like in it. it can be prepared earlier & just refrigerate it & heat it up when u want 2 eat it.soup can be prepared in so many ways, it's all up 2 your imagination.any one for soup????
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