Top 10 Bone Broth Health Benefits (and why we call it the Elixir of Life!)
Nourishing bone broth has been around for centuries in many different cultures. In fact, some claim bone broth has been around since the Stone Age, suggesting our cavefolk ancestors sipped this warm medicinal tonic around the campfire. Bone broth has long been used as a tonic in Oriental medicine to aid in healing and recovery. It has been sipped around the dinner table in traditional Chinese culture too, acting as a digestive, palate cleanser and a drink for a good night’s sleep. Many Western grandparents probably had a pot of bone broth bubbling away on the stove in the kitchen too.
what’s old is new again (and right now, bone broth is hot!)
Like so many ‘superfoods’, bone broth is enjoying its day in the sun, because it is not just a superfood, but what we like to call a medicine food, because its health benefits are considered to be extensive. Bone broth is deceptively simple yet it is packed full of healing and supportive nutrients and more. Bone broth could be your body’s BFF.
so what is this thing we call bone broth?
Good question! Though some cultures may make bone broth a little differently, there are some traditional elements that are shared. Bone both uses various forms of meat and bones of an animal (typically chicken or beef) stewed in water (sometimes with herbs and vegetables for flavour) for up to 24 hours (chicken may take six hours, lamb or beef between eight and 24).
Cooking bones over a long period of time extracts the essence of the animal in a way that can be easily digested and assimilated. Once cooked, all the other ingredients are strained, leaving a light, flavorsome broth packed to the brim with the essence of the ingredients you made it with. During cooking, the cartilage in the bones and connective tissues of the meat break down into collagen protein, which remains in the broth after straining. And the taste? You can expect it to be quite light and somewhat salty.
what are the health benefits of bone broth?
In Chinese Medicine, bone broth is known to strengthen, nourish and tonify the vital physiological functions that are the foundation of our health – Jing, our essence (DNA), Wei Qi, our immune system and function, Qi, our life or vital force and Xue our blood. Here are our top 10 bone broth health benefits:.
1. kind to kidneys
Bone broth elegantly supports the kidneys, warms the body, strengthens the yang, encourages blood flow and cultivates our qi and essence. In other words, the broth is said to enter and nourish our kidneys, liver, lungs and spleen. What that translates to is an epic tonic for the body.
2. nutrient-dense wonder
Bone broth is full of healing, supportive and easily absorbed vitamins and minerals, like potassium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, iron, silicon, phosphorus and sulphur. Being rich in these nutrients and being easy to digest is a double win for the body!
3. immune-boosting
When you sip bone broth, you’re taking in two amino acids, glycine and proline. These amino acids are responsible for supporting a healthy immune system, muscle and gut repair and a balanced nervous system. They assist the immune system in fighting pathogens, unhealthy levels of inflammation and boost our response to stressors.
4. low in calories
While every bone broth is different, you can consume it knowing it is a healthy low-cal, low-carb clean eating option, and because it packs a generous amount of protein, it can satisfy hunger, curb appetite and increase lean muscle mass respectively.
5. digestion delight
Bone broth is easily digested and soothing to the digestive system, helping to keep our gut microbiome healthy. The gelatin in bone broth (a substance collagen can turn into) supports a healthy gut, reduces inflammation and contributes to your overall health and wellbeing.
6. promotes joint health
Again, the gelatin in bone broth incorporates into cartilage and muscle better than just amino acids alone, and as a result, may help keep your joints healthy.
7. it’s a protein powerhouse
Protein is a building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood. Bone broth is rich in protein, helping the body feel fuller longer. The protein in bone broth can also help strengthen your immune system by supporting your production of antibodies (the immune system’s fighter cells).
8. gives your skin a healthy glow
Another bone broth health booster is its collagen protein, which may help keep your skin hydrated, supple and with a healthy glow. Collagen is hard to find in food sources, so bone broth is a fabulous way to support skin health.
9. sleep benefits (awesome in peri-menopause)
A mug of warm bone broth before bed can assist in improving sleep and brain function. The amino acid, glycine, helps to promote sleep, improve quality of sleep and lessen daytime sleepiness. For peri-menopausal menstruators who are experiencing sleep problems, this could assist in regulating sleep patterns.
10. fertility health-boosting
When it comes to fertility, bone broth is the elixir of life. It has all the essential nutrients that are the key building blocks of life as it is loaded with every amino acid, vitamin and mineral our body needs. Along with collagen, good fats and protein, it has all the fertility-boosting components to help create healthy embryos and babies. Bone broth supports you during every stage of your fertility journey – conception, pregnancy and post partum. Drinking bone broth to enhance fertility has been used in traditional cultures for centuries. Bone broth directly improves egg quality too. ANP’s founder, Dr Amanda Waaldyk has seen much success in clinic, with menstruators in their 40s who drink broth daily. Amanda notes, ‘The results have been dramatic, from improved egg quality, to reaching PGD testing and a greater improvement in fertilisation rates’. Amanda recommends a three month protocol of drinking broth every day and longer if needed.
bone broth elixir recipe (founder’s fave!)
Our founder, Dr. Amanda Waaldyk, cooks up a bone broth storm every week. After years of cooking bone broth in a pot, she discovered the joys of a slow cooker and hasn’t looked back. Her entire family has bone broth as a drink and in cooking, consuming around 5 litres over 10 days.
Amanda recommends organic bones, no use of salt, pepper or herbs.
- 2kg Organic Beef Shin Bone
- 2 Organic Carrots
- ½ Celery
- 2 tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
- 5 litres of water
Cook for 24 hours in slow cooker.
Strain into glass bottles and refrigerate or freeze.
As it cools, it becomes like gelatin – this is the result we want.
how to add bone broth to your diet
As well as sipping it in place of coffee, tea or soup, it’s an awesome base for soups, stews and sauces. Why not cook your rice or other grains in bone broth for a healthy and nutritious flavour hit or saute your veggies in a broth-oil combo? The possibilities are limitless. Be broth-brave!
get nourishing
When we consume bone broth, we’re enjoying so many potential health benefits and nourishing our body on every level from building blood and marrow, to supporting our reproductive system, kidney and brain function. It’s little wonder it’s enjoying such popularity now.
Follow us on social and tell us your bone broth recipe!
Find the science here:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618064/#B15-medicina-57-01138
