Is Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup Bad For You?
Short answer
Campbell's chicken noodle soup is very bad for you. Not only does it contain dangerously high levels of sodium, but it also houses ingredients linked to cancer.
Recommended Alternative
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
While it is a staple in many American pantries, Campbell's chicken noodle soup is far from healthy. Still, it isn't the worst, either - and while you may not like how the chicken gets in the can - at least it is real chicken. The good news is that per serving, there is a fair amount of potassium (50 mg), protein (3 g), and fiber (1 g). Unfortunately with 890 milligrams per serving, there is more than a generous amount of sodium. If you eat an entire can's worth of Campbell's chicken noodle soup, you'd exceed your daily limit for sodium. While necessary to our survival, too much sodium can be fatal, increasing your risk for a wide range of ailments including edema, hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
Looking at the ingredients is also a bit disconcerting, considering words such as "flavoring," "monosodium glutamate," and "modified corn starch" appear. Also included in the ingredients are synthetic vitamins such as thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid. Further, there is some concern about the link between "flavoring" and various health problems - particularly hyperactivity in children and an increased risk of cancer - and especially between MSG and problems ranging from headaches to heart palpitations. While the meat does come from real chicken, it has been highly processed and many beneficial nutrients have been completely stripped out. Those sensitivities to soy, wheat, and/or yeast will also want to avoid eating Campbell's chicken noodle soup.
The major threat here, though, is the high level of sodium. It may have some ingredients that have been linked to cancer (often in animal studies), but these ingredients are also found in many other foods and the USA doesn't need to worry about cancer, right? Wrong. Campbell's chicken noodle soup is just one in a long list of "foods" that are used to transport toxic chemicals into our bodies.
Possible short-term side effects
- headache
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allergic reaction
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edema
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dehydration
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water retention
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nausea
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swelling
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stomach cramps
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hyperactivity (especially in children)
Possible long-term side effects
- hypertension
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heart disease
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cancer
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
Healthier alternatives
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Amy's Vegan No Chicken Soup
- Organic noodles
- Rich in vegetables
- Includes tofu protein
- Vegan-friendly
- Convenient canned soup
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Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-09-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 01-09-2016
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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