So what are the Benefits of Bone Broth?
Bone Broth is hailed for having a number of benefits. In traditional cooking, people often use meat bones as a base for delicious meals. Aside from being the secret to great cooking, bone broth is also incredibly nutritious and has scores of health benefits. Some of the most reported benefits of including bone broth in your diet are,
- Bone Broth contains Collagen
Multiple studies have shown that collagen and gelatin, which are both found in bone broth, can benefit your skins health. In a 2014 randomised and controlled trial, collagen consumption significantly improved skin elasticity and tended to improve skin moisture content. Collagen scaffolds are also widely used in medical applications to promote tissue regeneration and heal wounds.
- Muscles Repair and Performance
Glycine is also important for the synthesis of haemoglobin and myoglobin, which transport oxygen throughout the blood and muscle tissue. Glycine also increases creatine levels, which leads to an increase in anaerobic (high-intensity) exercise capacity and stimulates the secretion of human growth hormone, which may enhance muscle repair.
- Building Bones and Easing Joints
It should be pretty obvious that the best way to get the nutrients necessary to build bone is from consuming bone-based foods. Drinking bone broth provides all of the raw material for building healthy bones, including:
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Amino acids
- Gut Health
A healthy colon contains a single, tight layer of epithelial cells, a thick mucus layer, and a diverse collection of microbes. Microbial dysbiosis and a thinning of this mucus layer can quickly compromise the integrity of the epithelial barrier and cause a leaky gut. In people with a leaky gut, microbes and dietary proteins can “leak” into the bloodstream and invoke an inflammatory response by the immune system. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of bacterial cell walls, stimulates a particularly robust immune response.
Eating bone broth has been reported as an effective way to heal your gut. Gelatin absorbs water and helps maintain the layer of mucus that keeps gut microbes away from the intestinal barrier. In a mouse model, gelatin supplementation reduced the severity of colitis by strengthening the mucus layer and altering gut microbiota composition. Gelatin and glycine have also been shown to reduce the inflammation LPS causes. Glycine has been shown to protect against gastric ulcers as well. Glutamine also helps maintain the integrity of the gut mucosa and intestinal barrier.
- Digestion
Drinking broth with meals is an excellent way to aid digestion. Glycine stimulates the production of stomach acid, which is essential for the proper digestion of any meal. Glycine is also an important component of bile acid, which is released to aid in the digestion of fats in the small intestine. Bile acid is important for maintaining normal blood cholesterol levels. The presence of gelatin in the gut also draws fluid into the intestine, which improves gut motility and supports healthy bowel movements. Low blood levels of collagen have been associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
There are an incredible number of reported bone broth benefits, and this hot drink is rooted in a long history of human use. It makes an excellent addition to any diet and can be used in a multitude of meals. Try some of our favourite Bone Broth receipes.