Drinking soup has many benefits. Some water-soluble vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins are dissolved in the soup.
While it's good to drink more soup, there are also some misconceptions we should try to avoid.
1. Drinking soup but not eating the solids
When foods high in protein, such as fish, chicken, or beef, are simmered for six hours, the soup may look very rich, but only 6%-15% of the protein is dissolved into the broth. More than 85% of the protein remains in the "solids." In fact, after prolonged cooking, the "solids" may not have the best texture, but the peptides and amino acids in them are more easily digested and absorbed by the body. Therefore, except for those who can only consume liquids, it is recommended to eat the soup along with its contents.
2. Preferring "single-flavor" soups
The nutrients in each food are not comprehensive. Even a "rich broth" that is extremely savory and rich in amino acids will still lack certain essential amino acids, various minerals, and vitamins that the human body cannot synthesize on its own. Therefore, using a combination of animal and plant-based foods to make soup can not only enhance the savory flavor but also make the nutrition more complete.
3. Drinking soup that is too hot
It is more appropriate to drink soup below 50°C. Drinking soup that is too hot is all harm with no benefit. Some people enjoy piping hot soup, but the mouth, esophagus, and stomach lining can only tolerate temperatures up to 60°C. Temperatures above this can cause burns to the mucous membranes. Although the body can heal from these burns, repeated damage can easily lead to malignant changes in the upper digestive tract mucosa.
4. Drinking soup only after a meal
This is an unhealthy eating habit. The soup consumed last will dilute the chyme, which has already been well mixed with digestive juices, thus affecting the digestion and absorption of food. The correct method is to drink a few sips of soup before a meal to lubricate the mouth and esophagus, reducing the irritation from dry, hard foods on the digestive tract mucosa and promoting the secretion of digestive glands to act as an appetizer. Drinking an appropriate amount of soup during the meal also helps mix the food with the digestive juices.