How Many Calories in Chicken Broth?
If you enjoy a warm, comforting bowl of chicken broth, you might be interested in learning more about its nutritional makeup, specifically how many calories it contains. Knowing how many calories in chicken broth can be crucial if you’re trying to control your calorie intake, maintain a healthy weight, or are just trying to be informed about the foods you eat.
Depending on the brand and preparation method, chicken broth typically has 10 to 30 calories per cup. We will examine the nutritional profile of chicken broth in this article and talk about some of its potential advantages. So let’s explore and learn how many calories this popular savory liquid contains!
Chicken Broth Nutrition Facts
It’s important to keep in mind that the precise values can vary slightly depending on the brand and preparation method when talking about the nutrition facts of chicken broth. However, the following general observations regarding the nutritional profile of chicken broth:
- Calories: Chicken broth typically has between 15 and 40 calories per cup (240 ml).
- Protein: Around 1-3 grams of protein can be found in one cup of chicken broth.
- Fat: The average cup of chicken broth contains less than 1 gram of fat.
- Cholesterol: Typically, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol per cup can be found in chicken broth.
- Sodium: Chicken broth’s sodium content can vary greatly. The sodium content of a cup of regular chicken broth can range from 600 to 900 milligrams. There are, however, low-sodium or reduced-sodium options that, on average, have between 140 and 500 milligrams of sodium per cup.
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): Each cup of chicken broth contains about 0.01 to 0.05 milligrams of thiamine, which helps people meet their daily requirements for this crucial B-vitamin.
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): To help you meet your daily needs for this essential B-vitamin, one cup of chicken broth has about 0.02-0.06 milligrams of riboflavin.
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): Each cup of chicken broth typically contains between 0.1 and 0.5 milligrams of the crucial B-vitamin niacin, which helps you meet your daily requirements.
- Vitamin B6: The amount of vitamin B6 in one cup of chicken broth ranges from 0.02-0.05 milligrams, supporting a number of bodily processes like neurotransmitter synthesis and protein synthesis.
- Folate: The amount of folate in a cup of chicken broth ranges from 2 to 10 micrograms. Folate is essential for the production of DNA and cell division.
- Phosphorus: Phosphorus, an important mineral that supports bone health and is involved in energy metabolism, is found in chicken broth. The precise amount can vary, but it typically falls between 20 and 50 milligrams per cup.
- Potassium: Potassium is an essential electrolyte that supports healthy fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions. One cup of chicken broth has about 50–100 milligrams of potassium.
- Selenium: Selenium is an anti-inflammatory mineral found in trace amounts in chicken broth that helps the immune system and is important for the metabolism of thyroid hormones.
- Copper: Copper is present in chicken broth in trace amounts (0.01 to 0.05 milligrams per cup). Copper participates in a number of enzymatic processes and is necessary for the development of connective tissues.
Even though chicken broth may not be a significant source of these vitamins and minerals, every bit helps to supplement your daily intake of nutrients. To make sure you consume the recommended amount of nutrients each day, it’s crucial to combine chicken broth with a varied and balanced diet. Keep in mind that these numbers are approximations and that they may change depending on the precise brand and preparation technique. Always check the nutrition label of the particular brand of chicken broth you’re using to get the most up-to-date information.
Health Benefits of Chicken Broth
Due to its nutrient content and potential therapeutic properties, chicken broth, a soothing and nourishing liquid, offers a wide range of health advantages. Let’s explore the many ways that chicken broth can enhance your health.
Since water makes up the majority of chicken broth, it is a great way to stay hydrated. Keeping your body at its ideal level of hydration is essential. Additionally, the electrolytes potassium and sodium, which are crucial for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions, can be found in chicken broth.
Gelatin, which is derived from the collagen in chicken bones and connective tissues, is an ingredient in chicken broth. Gelatin supports gut health by encouraging the growth of good gut bacteria and functions as a natural digestive aid. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), leaky gut syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can all benefit from its ability to enhance gut lining integrity, improve digestion, and soothe digestive tract inflammation.
Compounds like glucosamine and chondroitin can be found in chicken broth made from bones. It is well known that these substances have the ability to support joint health, lower inflammation, ease joint pain, and ameliorate symptoms brought on by conditions like osteoarthritis.
Gelatin in chicken broth functions naturally as a digestive aid. It can be helpful for people with digestive problems, such as food sensitivities, acid reflux, and ulcers. It also soothes and heals the digestive tract and lessens inflammation. Due to its simple digestion, chicken broth is a good choice for people who have digestive issues, as well as for those who are ill or recovering from an illness.
Numerous nutrients found in chicken broth help maintain a healthy immune system. It supplies minerals like zinc and selenium, vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin C, and amino acids that are necessary for a healthy immune system. These nutrients are essential for supporting the body’s immune system, encouraging the production of immune cells, and improving immunity as a whole.
The essential amino acids found in chicken broth are a source of these proteins’ building blocks. Numerous physiological processes, such as muscle growth and repair, the synthesis of hormones and enzymes, and the maintenance of cellular health, depend on amino acids.
The body’s natural detoxification processes are supported by the nutrients and substances in chicken broth, such as glycine and glutathione precursors. These substances support liver health, aid in toxin removal, and promote detoxification and cellular health in general.
The health and vitality of hair, skin, and nails are fundamentally dependent on the collagen found in chicken broth. Collagen gives these tissues structural support, enhancing their strength, elasticity, and overall appearance. Healthy and more vibrant hair, skin, and nails can be attributed to regular consumption of chicken broth.
Along with its many health advantages, drinking a warm cup of chicken broth can be soothing and calming to the body and mind. It is frequently used as a natural remedy to relieve the congestion and sore throat brought on by colds, the flu, and respiratory infections.
While there are many potential health advantages to chicken broth, it’s important to remember that it shouldn’t take the place of a varied and balanced diet. The best way to consume chicken broth is as a component of a healthy diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods. Use high-quality store brands or make your own chicken broth is advised.