Ejercicio B.3 · Inglés PAU Madrid Ordinaria Martes 2024

TEXTO B

Does Chicken Soup Really Help when You're Sick?

For centuries, people all around the world have been making chicken soup when someone is sick and it's a tradition that has been passed down through generations. But here's a good question about it: Does chicken soup actually have any science-based benefits, or is it just a comforting remedy that makes us feel better when we're feeling unwell, even if it doesn't have any true medical benefits?

Even when we are not sick, the popularity of chicken soup is huge. The reason behind its success is its warmth and the delicious flavors it contains, such as those from the chicken, vegetables, and noodles. The unique taste of chicken soup is often described as umami (in Japanese), which is a savory taste. It is considered the fifth category of taste, alongside sweet, salty, sour, and bitter.

Studies have shown that the taste of chicken soup plays a significant role in its healing properties. When people are suffering from respiratory illnesses, they often lose their appetite gradually and eat less. This happens because respiratory illnesses cause an inflammatory response in your throat, so swallowing becomes painful. Not eating enough can lead to a lack of necessary nutrition, which isn't ideal for recovering from illness.

To sum up, while the idea of chicken soup as a remedy for illness might have its roots in comfort, there is indeed some science behind its potential benefits. In particular, it has been proved that its taste stimulates our appetite when we are sick.

Adapted from “Does chicken soup really help when you’re sick?,” Popular Science, October 23, 2023. <https://www.popsci.com/health/chicken-soup-sick/>

B.3.- Find the words in the text that mean:

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