U.S. adults average four to six colds per year, so the chances are pretty good that at some point this winter, you're going to be contending with sniffles, coughing, and sinus pain (or you have already).

Our favorite remedy? Chicken soup.

Although there aren't double-blind placebo-controlled studies looking at the effects of chicken soup for curing a cold, there has been some clever research.

One study from the late 1970s found that enjoying chicken soup helped unplug stuffy noses by increasing what’s called (we kid you not) nasal mucus velocity. Yes, that can actually be measured.

Other studies have revealed that chicken soup has anti-inflammatory powers, perhaps from a combination of the effects of the hot broth and nutrient-packed veggies it contains.

We know that zinc lozenges work to shorten common cold and upper respiratory infection symptoms (about as well as chicken soup does), but they may pose a serious risk to your health.

A study in The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal that demonstrated zinc supplements' effectiveness also found that essential heavy metals such as copper, manganese, and zinc can increase the risk for dementia. In fact, zinc boosted that risk over a couple of decades by more than 35%.

Cook up some skinless chicken breasts and then combine them with low-sodium chicken broth and fresh celery, carrots, and onions. Toss in some rice or noodles if you like.

And inhale as you ingest this soothing, symptom-quieting "medicine" for your cold.

For more information, check out Dr. Mike's book, "What to Eat When."