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Bone broth has recently become a popular drink to help people consume essential vitamins and minerals. However, bone broth has been around since the beginning of humankind. Cultures around the world have been consuming bone broth for thousands of years for many different medicinal purposes.

A South American proverb stated, “A good broth can resurrect the dead.” In the same way chicken noodle soup is suggested when people are sick, bone broth has a history of providing nutrients and healing properties.¹

Here are some facts about bone broth, as well as 6 benefits of drinking bone broth.

What is Bone Broth?

Bone broth is a protein-rich liquid and is often consumed as a drink, but it can also be used as stock and added to soups and stews.² It’s made by simmering the bones and connective tissues of animals.²

Bone broth can be found in many grocery stores in cartons, bottles, and cans. The smell and taste of bone broth resemble most of the broths in the soups you eat.

Bone broth is typically more flavorful than stock that you would use in soups. With bone broth being in liquid form, it’s easy for the body to absorb, making it a simple way for many people to consume nutrients they may normally lack. Most of what you’re consuming is water, which is a good way to hydrate as well.⁴

Health Benefits of Bone Broth

Bone broth contains essential vitamins and minerals

The nutrients you consume with bone broth will vary depending on what is in the broth and how it’s made.

Generally, bone broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus – all of which are necessary for building and strengthening your bones and muscles.³

Collagen is also present in bone broth, which is an essential protein building block in the body that aids in your muscle growth, as well as skin and hair health.

Bone broth helps slow aging

Bone broth helps to slow the aging process in multiple ways. Drinking bone broth helps the body increase plasma levels of amino acids that are necessary for collagen production. Collagen improves the hydration and elasticity of the skin, allowing your skin to look younger for longer.

Additionally, bone broth can increase bone mineral density in older women and improve body composition in older men, keeping your body strong and healthy as you age.⁵

Bone broth supports joint health

As you age, the cartilage in the joints tends to wear down, which can add pressure to the joints. Bone broth contains gelatin, which can increase collagen in the tissues to help protect the joints. 

Bone broth is also rich in glucosamine, which helps to stimulate the growth of collagen. Glycine and proline, amino acids found in bone broth, both work as anti-inflammatory properties, which can help prevent pain and swelling in the joints.⁶

Bone broth is gut healthy

The gelatin found in bone broth helps restore the lining of the gut and helps your stomach in fighting food sensitivities. It also aids in the growth of probiotics, which is good bacteria that is needed in the gut to fight off bad bacteria that can make you sick.⁷

Studies have shown gelatin to have anti-inflammatory effects in the digestive tract, which can help prevent or slow the progression of chronic illnesses and diseases caused by excess inflammation such as Crohn’s or inflammatory bowel disease.⁸

Bone broth may boost immunity

Due to all the gut-health benefits of bone broth, it positively impacts the immune system as well. The amino acids in bone broth support intestinal barrier function, meaning a healthy gut plays a big role in a strong immune system.

If the body experiences increased inflammation, the immune system becomes hyperactive. Bone broth supports immune function and promotes stable, healthy inflammation responses.⁷

Bone broth may promote sleep

Glycine, an amino acid found in bone broth, is helpful for numerous functions in the body, including healthy sleeping patterns. Glycine works by regulating the body’s internal clock and lowering body temperature, both of which prepare you for sleep.

Multiple studies have found that glycine significantly improves the quality of sleep that individuals get. For this reason, some people enjoy bone broth before bedtime to promote better sleep.⁹

Try Bone Broth Today

If you’re interested in the health benefits of bone broth, try drinking some today or adding it to your recipes.

Here at Saber Healthcare, we prioritize our residents and offer services and dietary options to help them meet their nutritional goals. Our dietary teams work hard to develop and create menus that are not only delicious but also meet residents’ daily nutrition needs.

Saber Healthcare is an organization that provides services to more than 115 buildings across the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Delaware, and Florida. To learn more about our company and services, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long-term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

1. “The History of Bone Broth.” Ossa, ossaorganic.com. Accessed October 19^th, 2022. https://www.ossaorganic.com/blogs/blog/the-history-of-bone-broth#:~:text=Early%20Bone%20Broth%20History&text=More%20than%202%2C500%20years%20ago,Chinese%2C%20Korean%20and%20Japanese%20soups.
2. Philpotts, Rachel. “Top 5 health benefits of bone broth.” Immediate Media Company, bbcgoodfood.com. Accessed October 17^th, 2022. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-of-bone-broth.
3. McDonnell, Kayla. “Bone Broth: How to Make It and 6 Reasons Why You Should.” Healthline Media, healthline.com. November 30^th, 2020. Accessed October 17^th, 2022. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-broth.
4. “What Is Bone Broth? Plus, How to Make It From Scratch.” Warner Bros. Discovery, Food Network. January 13^th, 2022. Accessed October 18^th, 2022. https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/what-is-bone-broth.
5. “The Benefits of Drinking Bone Broth Daily.” Compass Cellular Healing, compasscellularhealing.com. Accessed October 18^th, 2022. https://compasscellularhealing.com/the-benefits-of-drinking-bone-broth-daily/#:~:text=Anti%2DAging&text=Drinking%20bone%20broth%20has%20been,of%20fine%20lines%20and%20wrinkles.
6. “The Benefits of Bone Broth.” Birmingham Wellness Center, birminghamwellness.com. Accessed October 18th, 2022. https://www.birminghamwellness.com/functional-medicine/the-benefits-of-bone-broth.html#:~:text=Reduces%20Joint%20Pain%20and%20Inflammation,new%20collagen%20for%20healthy%20joints.
7. Axe, Josh. “Bone Broth Benefits for Joints, Skin and Gut Health.” Dr. Axe, draxe.com. September 26^th, 2022. Accessed October 18^th, 2022. https://draxe.com/nutrition/bone-broth-benefits/.
8. “Gelatin tannate reduces the proinflammatory effects of lipopolysaccharide in human intestinal epithelial cells.” National Library of Medicine, PubMed Central. Accessed October 18^th, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358810/.
9. “The Sleep-Promoting and Hypothermic Effects of Glycine are Mediated by NMDA Receptors in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus.” National Library of Medicine, PubMed Central. Accessed October 18^th, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4397399/.