An ancient 'superfood' sent from heaven
The glycine in bone broth helps the body convert glucose into energy to be used. In studies, glycine was shown to protect skeletal muscle loss.
The parts of animals including the bones, the marrow, and the connective tissue, which otherwise couldn't be eaten, are simmered with water over heat.
Other studies have suggested it can boost the immune system defense in the treatment of allergies, arthritis, and asthma.
Bone marrow provides a host of vitamins, including vitamin A, B2, B12, and E, as well as essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, and minerals calcium, iron, selenium, and zinc.
There are many different types of bone broth: you can make it from chicken, beef, fish, and more. These recipes are staples in many countries.
It's gelatin's unique amino acid profile that makes bone broth such a healthy choice, as it's particularly high in glycine.
Chicken soup broth is often recommended to people suffering from colds or the flu. One study found that the amino acids produced when making chicken stock decreased inflammation in the respiratory system and improved digestion.
Bone broth may seem like a modern-day health trend, but this ancient elixir has actually been used to support the body's health and healing for centuries.
The bone itself provides minerals including calcium and phosphorus. It may also contain sodium, magnesium, and potassium.
To get the best benefits from bone broth, you should make it yourself at home. To do this, you should choose the bones of grass-fed animals.
Collagen is an important protein. The bones, marrow, and connective tissue are all largely made up of this amino acid, which turns into gelatin when cooked.
Bone broth has been shown to soothe gut inflammation and irritation, and support the gut microbiome, also helping to maintain gut health.
If you've cooked a chicken yourself at home, simply use the carcass and bones from your already cooked meat to make the broth.
The simmering releases nutrients from the bones and ligaments, including collagen, proline, glycine, and glutamine, as well as the compounds chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine.
Chicken, turkey, lamb, pig, beef, wild game, and fish bones are examples of what can be used to make the broth. Any marrow or connective tissue can be used, including feet, beaks, gizzards, spines, legs, hooves, hocks, whole carcasses, or fins.
Considering that glycine may help support heart and liver health, improve sleep, reduce diabetes risk, and reduce muscle loss, it's no wonder why bone broth is a popular choice among celebrities!
Bone broth is also a natural source of collagen. The market for collagen supplements has exploded in recent years. Indeed, our natural production of this protein slows as we age.
In 2020, Kylie Jenner stated she drinks bone broth each morning. "The first thing I eat or drink when I wake up is probably my bone broth. It’s mixed with lavender and lemon," she said in a video for Harper's Bazaar.
Health-conscious famous faces have raved about bone broth in recent years. Actress and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow has stated: "I really like soup for lunch: I have bone broth for lunch a lot of the days."
The gut lining is also made up of collagen, helping to support immune health and digestive function. While there is no substantial evidence that bone broth can "heal" the gut, it can help support digestive health.
Collagen is what gives the skin its elasticity, as well as resistance. It makes up our hair, skin, and nails, as well as our bones and muscles.
If you've made more bone broth than you need, simply freeze it using ice cube trays, freezer bags, or glass containers. It will keep for up to 12 months in the freezer.
Gelatin works as a cushion between the joints. It helps them "glide" without friction occurring, which otherwise can lead to chronic pain.
Rich in flavor, the nutrient-dense profile of bone broth is also easily digested by the body. In ancient times, bone broth was the way our ancestors used each part of an animal as a food source.
The amino acid glutamine, also found in bone broth, helps maintain healthy energy by sending nitrogen and nutrients to our cells.
Combine the animal ingredients with vegetables for a synergistic effect. In studies, the health benefits were heightened by adding veggies to the broth.
To get the full benefits of bone broth, it's sometimes recommended to take 8 oz per day. If the resources or time to make bone broth from scratch aren't available to you, there are supplements on the market.
Bone broth promotes the liver's ability to detoxify the body, as the liver needs minerals and amino acids to carry out its essential functions.
If you aren't quite prepared to part with your morning coffee just yet, you can add a bone broth powder supplement to your brew, for a powerful protein hit!
Sources: (Healthline) (Verywell Health) (Shape) (USA Today)
See also: What makes seaweed a superfood?
It's true: swapping out a creamy latte or flat white for strained, bone-derived liquid is a hard sell! It might not sound like the most appealing replacement to your morning coffee, but hold your cup—bone broth is a nourishing alternative.
There's a reason why celebrities love it and tout its health benefits. The mineral nutrient profile of bone broth makes it a healthy addition to a balanced diet, and there's a lot to learn about it.
Curious? Click on the following gallery to discover why you should ditch your morning coffee for a cup of bone broth instead.
Should you ditch coffee for bone broth?
One spikes your stress hormones, the other doesn't!
FOOD Alternatives
It's true: swapping out a creamy latte or flat white for strained, bone-derived liquid is a hard sell! It might not sound like the most appealing replacement to your morning coffee, but hold your cup—bone broth is a nourishing alternative.
There's a reason why celebrities love it and tout its health benefits. The mineral nutrient profile of bone broth makes it a healthy addition to a balanced diet, and there's a lot to learn about it.
Curious? Click on the following gallery to discover why you should ditch your morning coffee for a cup of bone broth instead.