Bone broth, both in name and concept, is just about the least glamorous health food item out there. It’s a liquid made from the brewed tissues and bones of various animals, including cows and chickens. Not the tastiest sounding thing in the world! However, you probably know already in your health food journey that you often have to look past appearances to find true benefits.

Bone broth is a cocktail of condensed nutrients and essential animal products that makes it a superfood in the realm of dietary supplements. Whether you make it yourself or buy it, bone broth’s unromantic origins shouldn’t dissuade you from taking full advantage of its incredible nutrient profile. If you ask me, you should always have some on hand.

 

1.   Nutrients Galore

 

 

 

 

 

The best reason to regularly consume bone broth is its incredible nutrient profile. It’s rich in many of the minerals that we take separately on advice from doctors and nutritionists. Bone broth covers many of them all by itself.

The main ones include magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. These nutrients work in the body in many ways, from relaxing our muscles and nervous system to encouraging bone development and strength. Since bone broth contains the connective tissues of the bones themselves (or “cartilage”), it also contains a lot of proteins and fatty acids.

Even in trace amounts, these nutrients encourage healthy growth and inflammation support.

 

2.   Reduce Inflammation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inflammation is a body-wide process that affects stressed parents as much as sedentary business people. It’s tied to our mental health in many ways, but faulty digestion is a major cause of out-of-control inflammation. This is because our ability to absorb and properly process nutrients allows our bodies to take advantage of them.

Any flaw in this process leads to an increase in inflammation because your body has fewer opportunities to use the nutrients you’re consuming. Your intestinal lining becomes irritated and this throws your digestion out of whack.

Bone broth contains amino acids that get this process back on track, reducing inflammation in your bowels and your entire body.

 

3.   Joint Pain

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bone broth contains melted down gelatin, which is natural animal fat that your body converts into collagen. Collagen is a building block of healthy joints. It’s the material that wears away when we use them too much.

Eventually, this wear and tear damages joints, leading to osteoarthritis and other painful conditions. Due to its gelatin content, bone broth can not only protect your joints, but it can also control the symptoms of arthritis pain that you already have.

 

4.   Weight Loss Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re trying to lose weight, you’ve probably reached the part of your nutrition journey where you’ve realized that it’s even more important to eat correctly than to eat less. Bone broth is one of the foods that should be on your regular diet schedule as a huge natural source of nutritious protein.

That protein helps you feel full and gives you the benefits of a big meal without the costs. Bone broth can help you break the cycle of high-calorie dinners without making you feel hungry in the evenings.

 

Bone Broth Recipe

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can buy bone broth in the store, but making it is a great way to get its full benefits, as well as use up some leftover meat products that you would have just thrown away otherwise. I’m a big proponent of DIY health foods, especially if it means less waste.

If you have whole chickens or other meat at your family’s meals, you can save the bones for your broth. You can also buy these bones cheaply from a butcher. To turn them into a broth, the recipe is simple: just put 1 gallon of water for every 4 or so pounds of bones you’re using, add an ounce of vinegar, and boil it in a pot for up to 24 hours. Make sure it’s in there for at least 12.

That’s the basic bone broth recipe: it’s that easy! But it won’t be packed with flavor if that’s all you do. Consider adding your favorite veggies, spices, or herbs to make the broth more flavorsome.

 

The Takeaway

Bone broth is an easy sell. It’s packed with essential nutrients that protect your body from inflammation and joint pain and improve digestion. It can even help you lose weight because of its protein content.

Even if you’re busy, bone broth is unbelievably simple to make at home and provides long-term benefits once you add it to your regular diet.