The Benefits of Bone Broth

If you haven’t heard of bone broth yet, you’ve been missing out on a delicious secret. Bone broth is a powerful elixir that offers a number of benefits.  The name may sound odd, but you’ve probably enjoyed bone broth your whole life you just didn’t realize it. Remember how delicious Grandma’s homemade chicken soup was? That’s probably because she made it from high-quality products, letting the chicken simmer until the meat fell off the bones. The result was not only tasty, it also provided a healthful boost that convenience foods just cannot provide.

Benefits:

It’s not often that something delicious is also good for you. Sipping a cup of bone broth at least once a day can help you feel and look better.

  1. Heals Leaky Gut Syndrome Leaky gut refers to inflammation or irritation of the small intestine that can cause a variety of digestive problems including gas, bloating, fatigue and weight gain. The majority of our immune system is in the digestive tract, and if our gut isn’t functioning properly we’re more vulnerable to a host of other problems. The natural gelatin in bone broth coats and seals the mucosal lining of the digestive tract which helps the small intestine absorb nutrients and supports a healthy immune system.
  2. Reduces Joint Pain and Inflammation Bone broth is rich in glucosamine the supplement many people take to help repair joint damage. Consuming glucosamine in the form of bone broth provides the best possible benefits and stimulates the growth of new collagen for healthy joints. Bone broth is also rich in glycine and proline, amino acids that have shown to be extremely anti-inflammatory. Reducing inflammation is crucial to good health because it can lead to a variety of disorders including pain, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and some types of cancer.
  3. Rejuvenates Skin, Hair and Nails Nothing can really turn back the clock, but bone broth comes pretty close. The collagen and gelatin in broth makes skin look younger and more supple while supporting healthy growth of hair and nails.
  4. Improves Sleep The amino acid known as glycine which is found in bone broth helps calm the mind. Try enjoying a cup of soothing broth before bed to promote restful sleep.

Making Bone Broth

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making your own bone broth, the term is really just a new name for what good cooks call stock. Choose grass-fed, free-range meats without added hormones for the best health benefits. Bones with a lot of marrow and connective tissue such as knucklebones, shank bones or feet are especially nourishing and may be available for very little cost, but any bones or bony cuts of meat will work, including:

  • Beef
  • Bison
  • Lamb
  • Pork
  • Poultry (chicken, duck, goose or turkey)
  • Venison

At Birmingham Wellness Center we’re committed to supporting your wellness with an interdisciplinary approach. To learn more about bone broth or the services we provide, please call our office today.