Nourilo

Soups

Fresh Huai Shan, Corn, Chayote and Chicken Breast Soup

Traditionally used to support healthy blood sugar balance and post-illness recovery

In short: Fresh Huai Shan, Corn, Chayote and Chicken Breast Soup is a soup that Traditionally used to support healthy blood sugar balance and post-illness recovery. It is most often made for blood sugar balance, energy & vitality, everyday balance. Total time about 75 min. Key ingredients: corn, chayote, goji berries, chicken.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
15 min
Cook
60 min
Total
75 min
Makes
1.2–1.5 L
Blood Sugar BalanceEnergy & VitalityEveryday Balance
Fresh Huai Shan, Corn, Chayote and Chicken Breast Soup

Why people make this soup

Many people only discover their blood sugar is elevated during a routine check-up. Nourilo points out that early high blood sugar is not in itself catastrophic — with dietary changes and regular exercise, a great deal can be improved. The real risk is ignoring it. This soup is one of his favourite everyday tools for those keeping a watchful eye on blood sugar, because every main ingredient has a traditional or nutritional reason to be there. Fresh Chinese yam contains a mucilaginous protein that is traditionally associated with supporting healthy blood sugar balance and vascular wellness. Corn silk (the fine threads inside the husk) has traditionally been used to promote urination and support blood sugar balance — keep it when simmering the cobs. Chayote is crisp, refreshing, very low in calories, and rich in folate and fibre. Goji berries add antioxidants. Chicken breast keeps the fat content minimal while providing protein.

Method

  1. Peel the fresh huai shan, rinse, and cut into sections. Note: the sticky juice can irritate sensitive skin — wear gloves or rinse hands immediately after handling.
  2. Remove the outer husks of the corn cobs but keep the silk threads attached. Cut the cobs into sections.
  3. Peel and cut the chayote into chunks.
  4. Soak and rinse the goji berries.
  5. Blanch the chicken breast in boiling water for a minute, then drain.
  6. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 2.1 L of cold water.
  7. Bring to a boil, skim any foam, then simmer for 1 hour.
  8. Serve, drinking the soup and eating the vegetables and chicken.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is naturally sweet and delicious, suitable for the whole family. For those managing blood sugar, the corn silk is important — it is the part that traditionally supports urination and blood sugar balance, so do not discard it. Always continue prescribed medication and monitor blood sugar regularly alongside dietary changes.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Goji berries · Meta-analysis, 161 participants · 2012
    Compared with placebo (n=80), the goji juice group (n=81) reported greater improvements in several self-rated symptoms, including stress, mental acuity, sleep quality and overall well-being, under a random effects model.Limitation: Outcomes were self-reported symptom questionnaires, and several symptoms showed significant heterogeneity across the four pooled trials of a single branded juice.PubMed 22897500 · 3 more goji berries studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Ingredient notes for this recipe

  • Goji berries: A few cases of raised INR (a bleeding-risk marker) have been reported in people taking warfarin after drinking concentrated goji tea or wine. If you take a blood thinner, check with your doctor. Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering — Lycium

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

Spot an error? Report a correction

Frequently asked questions

What is this soup traditionally used for?

This soup is traditionally associated with supporting healthy blood sugar balance and post-illness recovery. It combines ingredients each chosen for a traditional or nutritional reason, and is intended as part of a balanced diet alongside dietary changes and regular exercise — not as a replacement for prescribed medication.

Why is it important to keep the corn silk when making this soup?

The corn silk — the fine threads inside the husk — has traditionally been used to promote urination and support blood sugar balance. The recipe specifically instructs you to keep the silk threads attached when simmering the cobs and not to discard them.

What role does fresh Chinese yam play in this recipe?

Fresh Chinese yam contains a mucilaginous protein that is associated with supporting insulin sensitivity and preventing fat from adhering to blood vessel walls. It is one of the main ingredients included for this traditional reason.

How much does this recipe make, and how long does it take?

The recipe yields approximately 1.2–1.5 litres, enough for 3–4 servings. Preparation takes about 15 minutes and the soup simmers for 1 hour, for a total time of around 75 minutes.

Is this soup suitable for the whole family?

Yes. The recipe describes the soup as naturally sweet and delicious and suitable for the whole family. It is light, low in fat, and easy to digest, using lean chicken breast and a range of vegetables.

Answers this recipe appears in

You might also like

Related recipes

More soups →

Comments

Loading comments…