Bone Broth Benefits

Eases joint pain & inflammation

People in the past often utilized the whole animal for food. Bones, cartilage, connective tissue and skin were simmered in stews. This supplied nutrients that support musculoskeletal health. Modern humans largely eat processed foods that are stripped of these nutrients, which can lead to a host of deficiency diseases. The good news is that you can make your own bone broth to supply the missing nutrients. Commercial brands of bone broth are also available on the market.

Nutrients

When bones are slow cooked, they release gelatin and collagen, which are rich sources of amino acids that support joint health. These amino acids include glutamine, glycine, proline, histidine and arginine. Bone broth is also a good source of glucosamine and chondroitin—often used as dietary supplements for arthritis and joint pain. Additionally, it supplies minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium and zinc.

Health benefits

Bone broth helps your body stay hydrated and is high in protein. Other health benefits include:

Fights inflammation. Bone broth has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Reduces joint pain. The nutrients in bone broth, including glucosamine and chondroitin, support joint health. Bone broth may help with arthritis and joint pain.

Maintains strong bones and muscles. The collagen and minerals in bone broth is beneficial for the musculoskeletal system.

Promotes healthy skin. It contains amino acids and collagen that may improve skin health.

Supports digestion. Bone broth has gut-healing properties. It helps to alleviate inflammation in the intestinal barrier, reduce intestinal permeability, restore the intestinal lining and enhance nutrient absorption. These actions may be especially beneficial for people with certain intestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, leaky gut and diarrhea.

Promotes quality sleep. The amino acid glycine in bone broth can improve sleep.

Sources

You can buy organic chicken or beef bone broths. A quality bone broth has been cooked with bones for a minimum of six hours and should have a gel-like texture when refrigerated. Alternately, you make your own bone broth in a slow cooker, Instant Pot or stovetop using one of the many recipes available online.

Purchase high-quality organic or grass-fed bones when making your own. You can use marrow bones or connective tissues such as whole carcasses, gizzards, backs, necks, legs, feet, hooves, hocks, beaks or fins. Most recipes contain vinegar or lemon juice to break down the collagen and connective tissue. You can enhance the flavor by adding bay leaves, onion, carrots and celery or parsley.

Add the bone broth you’ve made or purchased to soups, chilies or sauces. Sipping a cup of warm bone broth is a tasty and satisfying way to enhance your energy, ease inflammation and reduce joint pain.

This newsletter is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment; before adhering to any recommendations in this newsletter consult your healthcare provider.