Our grandmothers and mothers, placing a bowl of borscht or cabbage soup on the table, often said that soup is sacred. Modern dietitians and nutritionists disagree: some consider hot broth with vegetables important, while others see it as overrated.
Why Has Soup Become Essential?
Historically, it was a convenient and inexpensive way to feed many people, for example, an entire Roman cohort. A hot liquid dish helped soldiers quickly warm up and satiate while on the move, thus aiding their survival. In field conditions, in cold climates, and with a limited number of ingredients in the recipe, everything could be used — bones, grains, vegetables, water.
In the times of our grandmothers, soup firmly established itself in diets, appearing in school menus, army rations, and workers' canteens. For all residents, the expression "lunch without soup is not lunch" became the norm.
Modern dietetics does not consider soup essential in the diet, although it acknowledges its benefits when made with the right ingredients.
Benefits of Soup
✓ Hydration of the body, especially in winter when the air is dry;
✓ Gentle effect on the stomach — warm liquid food aids digestion;
✓ Reduction of lunch calories. Thanks to water, soup helps to feel full faster and avoid overeating;
✓ Nutrients — if broth is made with vegetables, fish, or lean meat, it serves as a source of vitamins and minerals.
Fatty broths, concentrated seasonings, and frying onions and carrots in oil turn a healthy dish into a calorie trap.
Is Soup Necessary for the Stomach?
The phrase "if you don’t eat soup, you will get gastritis" is a folk myth. There is no medical evidence for this. Stomach problems arise not from the absence of soup in the menu, but from Helicobacter pylori, irregular eating, overeating, and stress.
But soup helps with gastrointestinal issues! For example, in cases of gastritis or after illness, warm, low-fat liquid food facilitates digestion.
Which Soups Are Beneficial?
✓ Vegetable and cream soups — a source of fiber, vitamins, and lightness;
✓ Soups made with lean broth help during diets and recovery after illness;
✓ Legume and grain soups — provide slow carbohydrates and protein;
✓ Fish soups supply the body with phosphorus and omega-3 fatty acids.
But fatty meat broths with excess salt and potatoes are better avoided — they overload the liver and raise cholesterol levels.
Why Is Soup Beneficial Not Only for the Body but Also for the Mind?
Warm food is soothing. Studies show that liquid warm food reduces stress and helps create a sense of coziness and safety. It is no coincidence that people around the world turn to soup when they are sick or tired — it is perceived as a symbol of care and comfort.
Conclusion
Soup is not a miraculous remedy or a norm, but a convenient and balanced way to support the body. It is beneficial for those who eat on the go, drink little water, or seek to reduce calorie intake.
The main thing is to make broth mindfully: less salt, less fat, more vegetables. And then soup will remain what it was intended to be — a warm support during the day or evening, warming not only the stomach but also the soul.
