On walking into my local supermarket yesterday I noticed a new addition to the shelves that seemed to be making a big splash, Bone Broth! So it would seem that Bone Broth is the trendy new hot beverage that is being drunk daily across America and experts are hailing it as a magical elixir full of health benefits. There’s even an entire shop devoted to bone broth in New York City, called Brodo, so instead of a morning cup of Joe New Yorkers are starting their day with a steaming hot cup of bone broth to go!
So what are the health benefits of bone broth?
1. Heal and seal your gut. A cup of bone broth a day works miracles for leaky gut syndrome and can also act as a good preventative measure. 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. This “patching” can help ease chronic diarrhea, constipation, and even some food intolerances.
2. Joint Health. We have all heard of the supplement glucosamine for treating joint pain. Well bone broth has glucosamine and, unlike the pill variety, 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.
3. Improved Skin Elasticity. Bone broth is a rich source of collagen. It would appear that experts are divided on whether ingesting collagen has skin-firming benefits, but studies have shown an improvement in skin’s elasticity and fine lines from taking collagen supplements. Therefore it would seem that, as bone broth has a rich source of collagen, that it too might improve the skin’s elasticity.
4. Improved Sleep. The glycine found in bone broth, may help improve sleep and help fight fatigue.
5. Supporting the Immune System. Bone broth has a high concentration of minerals that can help strengthen your immune system.
6. Increased Bone Health. During the making of bone broth the phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium in the bones are transferred to the broth which ultimately means that those healthy nutrients are then passed to you, therefore, improving the health of your bones.
So why not give it a go? If it’s not your “cup of tea!” try using it to cook your quinoa, couscous or rice or as a healthy base for your homemade soup or stew.