Fact or Myth? Chicken soup, hot liquids or honey can help you feel better sooner if you have a cold.
Answer: Fact
"You might have heard from your mother or your grandmother in the past that chicken soup is the cure for the common cold," said Bernstein.
While this tip goes at least as far back as the 12th century physician Maimonides (who some historians believe heard it from his mother), there is now solid medical evidence behind a remedy that was once only thought of as merely a comfort food.
"Even Maimonides, years and years ago, said that chicken soup is a great medication as well as food. But things like chicken soup, up until recently, were thought to only help by being a warm liquid that would soothe the nasal passages, keep the mucus flowing a little bit better and just make you feel better by eating something warm," said Bernstein.
In 2000, University of Nebraska researchers showed this old remedy had wider benefits.
"There was a study ... that showed that it does actually have an anti-inflammatory effect, mobilizing the neutrophils or the inflammatory cells and making them work a little bit better -- and also keeping the mucus in the nose moving so that the virus, which sits in the nose, would mobilize a little bit faster and, maybe, potentially, get you better faster," explained Bernstein.
The evidence isn't quite as clear on other home food remedies, however.
"Things like warm tea or honey or other foods, however, have not been shown medically to help. Although they might make you feel better just from their warmth and their soothing effect," said Bernstein.
"So it's important to just keep your nutrition up, keep hydrated, and if you like chicken soup, go right ahead."
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