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Q. Why are people drinking bone broth?
A. Bone broth is being talked about in all the health circles as the latest miracle food. Although it has been a staple in traditional diets for hundreds of years, it is making a comeback for good reason. Health experts have come to realize that there might be more to the folk remedy of grandma’s chicken soup for colds and flus than first appeared. In actuality, it is the base of such traditional ‘healing soups’ that holds the medicine. Traditionally prepared broth made from boiling down the bones of the chicken (or other animal) produces what we now call ‘bone broth.’ The bones are covered with water and slow cooked for 4-48 hours (depending on type) with a touch of vinegar and optional spices or vegetables for flavor. As the bones cook in water, minerals and other nutrients leach from the bones into the water, resulting in a broth rich in minerals and amino acids that are crucial for immunity and healing.
Here are some of the reasons people love bone broth so much:
Gut Healing
Bone broth is most noted for healing the gut because of its high quantities of gelatin and collagen, which help to heal and soothe the intestinal lining, repairing damage from poor diet, stress, and medications. Restoring the strength of the gut lining is beneficial for fighting food sensitivities (such as to wheat or dairy), helping create a healthy microbiome for the growth of probiotics (good bacteria) in the gut, and supporting healthy inflammation levels in the digestive tract, improving your overall digestion.
Immune System Boosting
Trace minerals found in the bones help support your immune system and overall health. Bone broth is an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, silicon, sulfur and phosphorous—most of which are lacking in our modern diets due to poor soil quality. Also, bone broth contains high levels of amino acids like glycine and cystine. Cystine helps to thin mucus which is helpful when fighting a cold.
Inflammation Reducing
Contains high amounts of amino acids such as glycine, proline, arginine, and glutamine which all have anti-inflammatory effects.
Healthy Skin
Bone broth is a rich source of skin-supporting amino acids glycine and proline along with collagen, the ultimate skin food. Collagen helps form elastin and other compounds that are responsible for maintaining skin’s elasticity, texture, and appearance—making it a great ‘beauty’ product in helping reduce the visible signs of wrinkles, decrease puffiness, and decrease cellulite.
Healthy Joints
Bone broth reduces joint pain and inflammation. Bone broth contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and other compounds that are extracted from the boiled down cartilage. These compounds stimulate the growth of new cartilage, helping to promote healing of damage and reduce joint pain.
