Bone Broth: Health Benefits

Bone Broth: 10 Health Benefits

The health benefits of bone broth are many. Almost every culture throughout history has used bone broth to make easily digested, healing soups and stews. Chinese medicine uses bone broth for boosting the immune system, supporting digestive systems and building blood. The term “Jewish penicillin” is used for chicken soup, known to inhibit cell inflammation and fight off cold symptoms. And your great-grandmother most likely made bone broth soups and stews often to keep sickness at bay. 

 

Bones from healthy, pasture raised animals are filled with a rich array of powerful nutrients that are released into the water when simmered at a low temperature. 

 Bone Broth Heals a Leaky Gut

Have you heard the term leaky gut before? Basically a leaky gut is when your intestinal lining becomes too permeable (leaky) and allows undigested food particles and disease causing bacteria to leak from your gut and into the bloodstream. When this happens your body sees these innocent food particles as a foreign invader and starts to attack itself. Leaky gut shows up in the form of food allergies, autoimmune conditions, asthma, skin conditions, digestive disorders, chronic fatigue and more. A leaky gut, also called gut hyperpermeability, affects a huge part of the population and is a growing epidemic due to poor food choices, stress, environmental toxins, overuse of NSAIDS, antibiotics, birth control and other medications.

Bone broth helps heal gut permeability. The gelatin in bone broth heals the mucosal lining of the digestive tract. A healthy gut is the cornerstone of health.  When your gut and digestive system are healed and working well, you absorb and digest nutrients properly. Bone broth is the best thing you can consume to heal and seal your gut.

 

Bone Broth Helps your Liver Detox

Our liver is so overburdened from the toxic and chemical nature of today’s world. It seems like everything in our world is toxic nowadays – our air, our water, our food and the list goes on and on. Our liver has a huge job to clean all these toxins from the body. The livers ability to detox these toxins efficiently is limited to the amount of glycine available. Can you guess what’s the richest source of glycine? Gelatin rich bone broth! We need to provide ample amounts of glycine to our diet so our liver is able to do it’s job properly.

 

Bone Broth Reduces Inflammation

Chondroitin sulfate is a structural component of cartilage and has been found to improve inflammatory conditions. Bone broth also contains large amounts of the amino acids glycine and proline. Both of these amino acids are extremely anti-inflammatory.

 

Bone Broth Helps Joint and Muscle Pain

The specific amino acids in bone broth, glycine and proline, are just the type of amino acids you need to build muscle, repair tissue and lessen inflammation. Bone broth is an excellent source of glucosamine and chondroitin, 2 supplements many people take for joint pain relief. The latest studies have shown that the gelatin in bone broth provides almost immediate relief to joint pain. It’s even reported to provide relief just like taking an anti-inflammatory pill or cortisol. The glycine in gelatin speeds wound healing, helps stiff joints and promotes recovery.

 

Bone Broth Fights infections

Bone broth provides a rich source of minerals and amino acids that supply the body with raw materials to rebuild stronger and healthier cells. Bone broth also boosts antioxidant activity in the body.

This study shows consuming bone broth during a respiratory infection reduces the number of white blood cells, which are the cells that cause flu and cold symptoms. In traditional Chinese medicine bone broth is used to boost the immune system and fight infections.

 

Bone Broth Increases Mineral Consumption

Many people in the U.S. are deficient in one or more minerals due to dietary deficiencies or poor absorption (also known as leaky gut). Our soil is so depleted in minerals so getting these trace minerals through bones is extremely important. As the bones cook in water, minerals and other nutrients leach from the bones into the water. Homemade broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and other trace minerals. Bone broth offers easily absorbed extracted minerals and supports utilization of the minerals by promoting the health of the intestinal tract.

 

Bone Broth Helps Digestion

The gelatin in bone broth is soothing to the digestive track and actually helps repair the mucousal lining. It also helps break down the protein and fat from foods, making them easier to digest.

 

Bone Broth Smooths Skin

As we age, our collagen production decreases. Bone broth is rich in collagen, the proteins found in flesh and connective tissues. Skin becomes smoother and more supple when there’s an abundance of connective tissue. Some have even suggested that bone broth helps eliminate cellulite.

 

Bone Broth Helps Repair and Grow Bones

The large amounts of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in bone broth helps our bones grow and repair.

 

Bone Broth Promotes Good Sleep

Research has shown that consuming gelatin before bed helps induce sleep because of the amino acid glycine. Glycine plays an important role in the neurotransmitters within the brain. So not only will ingesting bone broth improve sleep quality, but it will also help reduce daytime sleepiness and help improve your memory during waking hours.

 

Want to learn how to make bone broth?

 Read my post HERE on how to make a healing bone broth full of rich vitamins and minerals! 

Do you consume bone broth regularly?