Bone broth contains many nutrients that are very important for our general health. The bones from which bone broth is cooked are usually rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Bones also contain collagen. During cooking, collagen is converted into gelatin, which supplies the body with amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.
Since bone broth is a purely natural product, it is not possible to say exactly how much of each nutrient is contained in a particular batch of bone broth. But it can be assumed that the following nutrients are contained in a high-quality bone stock that can be supplied to the body naturally:
- Iron
- Vitamins A and K
- Fatty acids
- Selenium
- Zinc
- Magnesium
The advantage of bone broth is that it provides these nutrients, minerals and trace elements in a more easily digestible form and can therefore be easily absorbed by the body. Adding other ingredients, such as vegetables, to the broth can also add additional nutrients.
Bone broth comes in three forms:
- Liquid bone broth: ready-to-use broth in a glass, easy to open, warm and drink or eat as a clear soup or use as a base for cooking
- Bone broth concentrate: mix one teaspoon of concentrate with water and warm it up; drink it or use it as a base for cooking
- Bone Broth Powder: Bio Collagen powder from bone broth in water and drink or mix in shakes, juices, smoothies or muesli
Effect: How and where?
In addition to the many nutrients, bone broth is especially popular for its effect on the following ailments.
Organic bone broth
Bone broth can help reduce inflammation and heal the bowel
People who suffer from Leaky Gut Syndrome or a (chronic) inflammatory bowel disease can benefit from bone broth.
Some amino acids contained in bone broth are actually helpful for digestion. The amino acid glutamine seems to be particularly promising. As a 2017 study shows, glutamine supplementation helps to heal the intestinal barrier in humans and animals. This can help, for example, in Leaky Gut Syndrome, where the intestinal mucosa is irritated and the body's ability to digest food is impaired.
Another study from 2017 shows that people with inflammatory bowel disease tend to have fewer amino acids in their bodies than healthy people. For these people, taking extra amino acids through the diet can help with some symptoms of the disease. Drinking bone broth every day is a natural way to supply the body with anti-inflammatory amino acids.
Bone broth can protect the joints
Bone broth contains natural gelatine, which can be processed in the body to collagen, which is very important for the function of our joints.
The cartilage in the joints tends to wear out, especially people who move a lot, such as joggers or tennis players, are affected. The activity puts more strain on the joints and can cause damage.
Various laboratory tests and studies with animals show that gelatine supplementation increases the amount of collagen in the tissue. This can help to protect the joints from unnecessary stress.
The consumption of bone broth can be a good way of adding gelatine to food, which can help to protect the joints.
Bone broth can help fight osteoarthritis
A study from 2016 (1) examined the effects of collagen type 2 in people with osteoarthritis of the knees. The results show that collagen can improve knee joint symptoms such as pain, stiffness and poor physical function in people with osteoarthritis.
Bone broth can be a natural way to supply the body with collagen along with other helpful nutrients.
Bone broth for the skin
The collagen contained in bone stock is the main structural protein of our body and is also responsible for the elasticity and firmness of our skin, hair and nails.
Various studies (6) have shown that collagen as a dietary supplement improves the skin's moisture and elasticity. Collagen is therefore essential if you want to have beautiful, young and smooth skin.
Psoriasis is also easier to control with collagen. Collagen, e.g. in bone broth, can help fight the inflammation before it causes psoriasis signs. Instead of treating the physical symptoms of psoriasis, collagen acts in the body to heal, soothe and moisturize the skin.
Bone broth can promote good sleep
A study from 2015 (4) reports that the amino acid glycine is a natural and safe way to improve sleep. People who take glycine before going to bed can therefore feel that they sleep better and are less tired the next day. A cup of bone broth in the evening can provide this glycine.
Bone broth can help you lose weight
Bone broth is rich in protein, which helps the body feel fuller for longer and we consume fewer calories. Bone broth can therefore help you lose weight.
A study from 2017 (5) indicates that a cup of chicken bone broth contains more protein than a cup of plain chicken stock. Bone broth is therefore an excellent natural source of protein.
(1) https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12937-016-0130-8
(2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27749689/
(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622680/
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4397399/
(5) https://www.jrnjournal.org/article/S1051-2276(17)30181
