3/25 Cold & Flu

Did you know that body aches during a cold or flu are actually a good sign?

They mean your immune system is in action, unleashing natural defenses to fight off infection. This time, we’re breaking down what’s really behind those miserable symptoms—and how simple foods can help soothe your body and speed up recovery.

Before we dive in, here’s a quick question to warm things up…

🤧 What’s Really Causing Those Aches? (01:07)

It’s easy to blame the virus for how miserable you feel—but the real culprit behind those body aches is your immune system doing its job. When a cold or flu virus enters your body, your immune system sends out an emergency response, releasing inflammatory cytokines like Interleukin-6 (IL-6). This reaction helps fight off the virus but also triggers sore muscles and the urge to crawl into bed. It’s your body’s way of forcing you to slow down, rest, and heal.

🥣 Grandma Was Right: Chicken Soup Helps (09:55)

There’s a reason chicken soup has been a go-to remedy for generations. Science shows it’s packed with anti-inflammatory peptides that help soothe your body’s response to infection. If you make it with bone broth, you’ll also get a boost of collagen and amino acids that support healing and tissue repair. Adding carrots and celery? Even better! These vegetables provide fiber that feeds your gut microbiome, which plays a powerful role in lowering inflammation and strengthening your immune system.

(If you picked A in the quiz—you’re right! It’s those anti-inflammatory peptides doing the work.)

🫚 The Power of Ginger and Goji Berries (12:39)

Traditional Asian chicken soup takes healing up a notch by adding fresh ginger and goji berries. Ginger is rich in gingerol, a natural bioactive that helps lower inflammation. Meanwhile, goji berries release zeaxanthin, a carotenoidthat not only supports your vision but also strengthens your immune system’s T-helper cells—your body’s super soldiers that help fight off viruses. Together, they turn a simple bowl of soup into powerful food-as-medicine.

Your body knows how to fight back—support it with the right foods and habits. Watch the full episode to learn how:

Love your food to love your health,