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A warm bowl of soup is a classic comfort food, especially when the weather turns chilly or you have a cold. The strong association between soup and comfort hasn’t been lost on researchers. Here’s what studies show about the link between soup and a sense of well-being.
Soup may be a reminder of loving care
Did Mom or Dad give you chicken noodle soup when you had a cold as a child? Soup is often associated with being cared for. Over time, the food alone may conjure up feelings of comfort.
In one experiment, people either had chicken noodle soup or not before doing a word-completion task. Those who ate the soup and regarded it as comfort food were more likely to recall relationship words. This suggests that eating the soup may have put them in a more relationship-oriented frame of mind.
Soup warms the co*ckles of your heart
Our brains seem primed to make a connection between physical warmth and social warmth. Studies suggest that eating hot soup or even just holding a warm cup of it may increase positive feelings toward others—and that extends to other people whom you may see as being culturally different from yourself.
In one intriguing study, female college students in Japan who held a warm cup for a few minutes expressed more positive attitudes toward Chinese people, compared to students who held a cold cup. They also showed a greater willingness to help a Chinese individual.
Soup can be an appetizing meal starter
A well-made soup can be a flavorful appetizer. Ironically, if your appetizer course is too tasty, research suggests that it might make the main course seem less appealing by comparison. But you can get around that by pairing the soup with an entrée from a different cuisine.
Participants in one study ate an Italian pasta dish preceded by either a matching soup (Italian minestrone) or a non-matching soup (Thai tom kha). Good minestrone made them like the pasta less. But good tom kha didn’t have that effect and, in fact, enhanced enjoyment of the meal as a whole.
Soup can be a satisfying main course
Of course, you can also make soup the main event at your meal. Broth-based soups can fill you up with fewer calories than many other entrees.
Interestingly, research has shown that adding spicy cayenne pepper to tomato soup may enhance that satisfying sense of fullness and decrease hunger for at least an hour after eating. But be particularly aware of your eating choices during this time, because the pepper may also whet your appetite for sweet and fatty foods.
Soup is often healthy (but beware the halo effect)
Vegetable soup has a well-earned reputation for being packed with nutrients. An interesting study in the journal Appetite looked at how this reputation may affect eating behavior.
“In our study, 2,075 participants from the Island of Ireland and Denmark were given the following instruction: Imagine you’re only having vegetable soup for your dinner. How much would you eat? We found that soup portion size decisions were influenced by how healthy they perceived the soup to be,” says Moira Dean, Ph.D., a professor of consumer psychology and food security at Queen’s University Belfast.
“Specifically, those who viewed the soup as healthier chose a larger portion size,” Dean adds. “Furthermore, Danish participants who were more health-conscious chose larger soup portion sizes.”
The researchers say these findings may be due to a health halo effect, in which the food’s nutritious image led people to ignore other attributes, such as the extra calories in a supersized bowl. “It is important for consumers to be aware of the health halo effect, use the nutrition information panel on packaged foods, and not use a food’s healthy image as a license to eat more,” says Dean.
Soup doesn’t really need lots of salt to taste great
Restaurant and supermarket soups are often loaded with sodium. But research shows that reduced-sodium soups can taste just as good once you get used to them. One trick to boost your perception of saltiness without adding salt is to make sure you eat soup at the temperature you like best.
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A fascinating study showed that people’s perception of saltiness in soup, including chicken broth, varied when nothing changed except the serving temperature. People rated soup as tasting saltiest when eaten at the temperature they preferred.
Bottom line: A warming, soothing cup of broth-based soup can be both nutritious and delicious—just one more reason for saying, “Soup’s on!”
FAQs
Soup is a good evening meal to have every day because it is typically low in calories and high in nutrients, making it a healthy option for weight management. It is also easy to make and can be customized with a variety of ingredients to suit personal taste preferences.
Why is soup so addicting? ›
Because it has been the go-to food when feeling down for centuries, soup is undeniably comforting. If you find yourself craving soup, it might be because you're feeling sick, sad, or depressed and are seeking some comfort.
Is soup the healthiest food? ›
Usually, yes! Soup can be filling, low calorie, nutrient-dense, and supportive of your immune system and weight loss journey. Maximize the benefits by avoiding soups that are full of salt, sugar, or cream. Look for soups brimming with vegetables and sources of filling protein and healthy fat instead.
Why do humans like soup? ›
Soup usually has many benefits apart from being tasty. Whether you have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner, it can actually make our body feel good in the best way possible, giving us the energy we need to function during the colder months, whilst satisfying our appetites with a warm delicious meal.
Why is it good to eat soup at night? ›
Unlike hot caffeinated beverages that leave you dehydrated, soup nourishes you from within and helps increase core body temperature. A bowl of your favorite soup will warm you from inside out on a cold, chilly night, keeping you toasty warm.
Why do Chinese eat so much soup? ›
Sweet soups such as tong sui are enjoyed for their aroma, mouthfeel, and aftertaste. Many soups are eaten and drunk as much for their flavour as for their health benefits and touted for their purported revitalizing or invigorating effects.
Why do Japanese eat soup everyday? ›
According to Japanese cuisine, it's a must-have for daily consumption because of its high nutritional content. Miso soup is low calorie, low fat, and high in nutrient content, so it is safe to eat daily.
What are the disadvantages of eating soup every day? ›
Along with a high saturated fat content, soup can come with an overload of sodium, as well. The American Heart Association recommends the average person consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, but an ordinary can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup already has 890 milligrams of sodium per serving.
What is the best time to drink soup? ›
It should be preferred that soups should be taken as early as possible in the evenings, latest by 7:00pm, if at home and 8:00pm if having dinner out as it has salt content which can lead to water retention in the body if consumed too late.
Is soup healthier than a sandwich? ›
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule-a creamy clam chowder will pack in more calories than a small turkey sandwich crammed with vegetables, for instance. But as a rule, soup is the better choice. Why? Soup has a high water content, which can help you feel full.
One of the most popular soup diets, the cabbage soup diet is a 7-day eating plan that involves eating a chicken- or vegetable-broth-based soup that contains cabbage and other low carb vegetables. In addition to cabbage soup, you can also have one or two other low calorie foods, such as skim milk or leafy greens.
Why do old people love soup? ›
Soup Hydrates Really Well
That makes it a very hydrating meal, whether you're talking about cold-weather soups or cold soups that are perfect for hotter weather. If your elderly family member finds it difficult to get enough water into her diet every day, soup can be a great way to make up some of the difference.
Why do you have to spoon soup away from you? ›
According to age-old custom, the best way to eat soup is by dipping it away from yourself, then scooping it back up and away. While the movement may seem a bit awkward, scooping away prevents the soupy side of the spoon from dripping on the table and your clothes.
Why do I feel good after eating soup? ›
When it comes to supporting wellness, soups offer all the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Vitamins A, C, antioxidants and selenium are a few minerals that help you feel better when you're sick.
Does drinking soup count as eating? ›
Probably both. If you chew the soup, you are eating it. If you swallow it without chewing, you are drinking it (or about to choke).
Can too much soup be bad for you? ›
Other types of soup you should watch out for are instant and canned soups, which are often loaded with sodium. High sodium intakes are associated with high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart and kidney disease, and stroke ( 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ).
Does soup count towards daily water intake? ›
You should also count foods with a high fluid content in your daily allowance: e.g. soup, gravy, custard and ice cream – count these as half (1/2) fluid. Remember to record the amount of fluid you use to swallow medicines. Sip beverages and use smaller cups.
Is soup good for losing weight? ›
Soup has a high water content, which can help you feel full and stay hydrated—both of which are important for weight loss. Broth-based soups packed with veggies give you the biggest bang for your caloric buck.
