Bone broth, if you’re unfamiliar with it, likely sounds like a bit of an odd concept. Broth made of bones? Yeah, not the most enticing.
But, I ask you to hear me out. Bone broth “is a liquid containing brewed bones and connective tissues. To make bone broth, people use cow, chicken, and even fish bones,” explains MedicalNewsToday, and this stuff is full of all sorts of things that are beneficial to the human body.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at the following information derived from SHAPE magazine to see just how amazing bone broth is.
“Heal and seal your gut. A cup of bone broth a day can help with leaky gut syndrome, but it’s also good for protecting non-leaky guts, according to Jill Grunewald, a holistic nutrition coach and founder of Healthful Elements. The gelatin in the bones typically used for making broth (such as knuckles, feet, and other joints) is said to help seal up holes in intestines. (People who have leaky gut syndrome have a porous intestinal lining.) This “patching” can help ease chronic diarrhea, constipation, and even some food intolerances. Not to mention, it goes down easy; that’s why dietitians recommend broth as one of the best hangover foods or for patients with food sensitivities.
“Protect your joints. Taking glucosamine supplements has long been used as a first line of treatment for people with joint pain, but it turns out that bone broth has glucosamine, too. Unlike pills, the broth offers other nutritional and health benefits that can help reduce pain. Chondroitin sulfate, which is found in the cartilage that protects joints, for example, has been shown to help prevent osteoarthritis.
“Keep your collagen strong. According to Daniel Auer, a holistic medicine doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the real benefit of bone broth is the low-and-slow cooking process, which breaks down the bones and connective tissues of the meat. As you sip the broth, you take in collagen (a building block of cells found everywhere from your skin and bones to your brain) and gelatin (a form of collagen that aids digestion)—both of which he says are incredibly healing. Experts are torn on whether you can gain the skin-firming, joint-strengthening benefits of collagen by ingesting it, but studies have shown an improvement in skin’s elasticity and fine lines from collagen supplements.
“Sleep better. Research has shown that glycine, found in bone broth, may help improve sleep and ward off fatigue.
“Support a healthy immune system. Because of bone broth’s high concentration of minerals, Mark Sisson, author of The Primal Blueprint, goes as far as to call bone broth a “superfood” that can strengthen your immune system.
“Increase bone strength. The phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium in the bones seep out into the broth, leaving you to sip all those essential nutrients for your own healthy bones.
“Get some bone broth protein. We’re not suggesting an entire bone broth diet. It cannot (and should not) be your only means for getting essential nutrients like amino acids. However, if you don’t regularly eat meat, it can help supply amino acids from animal protein via bones. Amino acids are important for muscle recovery and energy—two key factors in your fitness performance.
“Eat healthier. While the bone broth trend might have started with drinkable broth in a cup, there are many other ways you can eat and cook with bone broth,” explains the SHAPE article.
What are you waiting for? Grab some bone broth today (maybe from my sister’s business!!)!
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