Bone broth (also known as stock) has been used for centuries and was initially a way to use all the parts of the animal that could not be eaten directly, like the bones, ligaments, tendons and bone marrow. It is typically made by simmering the bones in water for a long period of time with some apple cider vinegar and vegetables like celery, carrots and onions.
This long cooking time allows as much collagen, gelatine, amino acids, vitamins and minerals as possible to be released into the water and this makes bone broth very nutrient dense. It’s an economical way to make a filling meal or ingredients for a casserole or soup.
Here are 6 health benefits of bone broth:
Heals the gut
Bone broth is a rich source of gelatin which is an anti-inflammatory and helps to soothe and heal the gut lining. This is useful for those with IBS, leaky gut syndrome and other digestive problems.
Improves sleep
Bone broth is rich in the amino acid glycine which helps to improve sleep, memory and brain health.
Boosts immunity
We now know that a large part of the immune system is contained in the gastrointestinal tract and if this is inflamed or damaged our immune system becomes compromised. Bone broth is rich in gelatine, collagen, glutamine, proline and other nutrients that reduce inflammation and heal the gut lining. It is also loaded with minerals that boost immunity.
Improves nutrient absorption
Bone broth is cooked over a long period of time which allows all the minerals, vitamins and other nutrients to be drawn out of the bones so that they become more bio-available and easy to absorb from the broth. The gelatin content of bone broth makes it healing for the gut lining and this encourages nutrient absorption.
Supports skin, nail, hair, teeth and joint health
The connective tissue in our body needs amino acids, collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy growth. Bone broth is rich in all these nutrients thus supporting the growth and strength of the skin, nails, hair, teeth and joints. Collagen is especially good for keeping skin soft, firm and free of wrinkles.
Aids detoxification
The amino acid glycine helps the liver to detoxify and this process is directly dependant on the amount of glycine in the diet. Bone broth is an excellent source of available glycine.
Sources
https://changinghabits.com.au/8-reasons-to-try-bone-broth/
https://wellnessmama.com/23777/bone-broth-benefits/