There are some traditional foods all over the world that have been existing for thousands of years. This is because of their multiple health benefits and how they affect our bodies. Things like fermented vegetables and cultured dairy are just a few examples. One of the best foods that are very recognisable and popular today is bone broths. This is a clear, rich liquid, made by simmering the bones from animals such as chickens, fish, cattle etc.

What's Bone Broth?

This delicious food is made from boiling animal bones and connective tissue. It’s sometimes called stock and a lot of chefs use it as a base for sauces, soups and gravies. A lot of people even drink it on their own. The delicious and highly nutritious organic bone broth takes time to cook but the end results are highly beneficial for humans.

Some of these broths are a staple and the base for many national cuisines. It has a very rich flavour. It's full of nutrients and has an important part in the Keto and Paleo diets. The long-simmering over a low fire makes every useful ingredient in the bones, skin, joints, marrow and ligaments to extract into the water. When combined, these compounds are transformative for your health.

Health Benefits of Bone Broth

Protects the Joints

This broth is one of the best sources of natural collagen. This is a protein that vertebrae animals have. They have it in their skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and bone marrow. Collagen is important for humans because as we get older, our joints go through some wear and tear and our flexibility decreases.

When we consume broth, the collagen from the animal gets absorbed into our cartilage and restores it. The gelatine acts as a cushion between our bones and helps them move without friction. Plus, it improves the building blocks we need to maintain a strong and healthy bone mineral density. Bone broth collagen can be very powerful and useful for our bodies.

Improves Gut Health

Gelatine is also responsible for improving our gut’s health. It restores the strength of the gut lining and lessens the symptoms of food sensitivities. Research shows that it also boosts the growth of good gut bacteria, or probiotics, and has anti-inflammatory effects. Bone broth is easy to digest and has a soothing effect on our digestive system. The nutrients are easy to absorb, unlike other foods that will only contribute to disbalance.

Keeps the Skin, Hair and Nails Healthy

Elastin and other substances that keep the skin's youthful tone, structure, and look are formed to some extent by collagen. Collagen helps in reducing the visible signs of wrinkles, fighting signs of aging and reducing puffiness. Some people even report a decrease in cellulite when consuming collagen-rich foods, especially bone broths.

Because cellulite forms from the lack of collagen, broth is a crucial factor in adding an extra dose of collagen. It also fortifies your hair and nails. It gives them strength, elasticity and shape. It's so beneficial that even pregnant women are encouraged to consume it during their pregnancy for more skin elasticity and hair strength.

Supports the Immune System

One of bone broth's most amazing qualities is its gut-supportive properties, which have a holistic impact on the body and promote a healthy immune system. The leaky gut syndrome is one of the possible side effects that develop when food residue leaks into the bloodstream through small cracks. These cracks are in the weaker intestinal lining. Right there, the immune system recognises them and becomes overactive.

This leads to inflammation and dysfunction of the whole human body. The immune system produces and releases a high level of antibodies that can potentially attack healthy tissues. Organic bone broth supports the immune system through gut health and improves its response to inflammation. A combination of collagen, amino acids and gelatine seals those cracks and prevents leaky gut syndrome.

Improves Detoxification

Nowadays, especially in urban areas, people are exposed to a big variety of pesticides, toxins and artificial ingredients. Our body has its ways of dealing with these toxins and detoxifying but sometimes it can be overwhelming to do it. This is where organic bone broths come into play. They're a great detoxifying assistant.

They have a big impact on improving the liver’s ability to remove toxins. It improves the body’s ability to use antioxidants and maintains a good level of tissue integrity. Potassium and glycine aid liver and cellular detoxification and by supplying our body with sulphur and glutathione, it lowers oxidative stress.

How to Prepare Bone Broth

Bone broth is very easy to prepare at home. You can buy it from your local supermarket as well, but homemade broth has a unique flavour. You can start by saving bones from previous meals. For example, a chicken carcass is a great place to start. It's even better if it has a beak and claws. You can also buy some bones from a butcher. They'll let you know which ones are best for this recipe.

You can combine different animals as well. The 3 basic ingredients are water, bones and vinegar. Fill the pot with 3l of water, add 30ml of vinegar and 1-2kg of bones. Set the stove on high and boil the ingredients. After it reaches a boiling point set the stove to low and slowly simmer the broth. It usually takes around 10-24 hours to get a high-quality broth filled with nutrients.

You can add salt, vegetables or fresh herbs to enhance its flavour. Set it aside to cool and you can store it in the fridge in containers. This way you’ll have enough broth for a long time, ready to go on the table at any time.

Nutritional Facts

The nutrients inside the broth depending on the type of bones you include. Joint bones and knuckles are probably the best choices. Some doctors even call the broth “nature’s multivitamin”. It contains more than 19 essential amino acids that are very easy to absorb, plus non-essential amino acids. We've already mentioned the collagen/gelatine which aids our connective tissue.

It's also rich in vitamins and nutrients such as magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. The bone marrow is rich in iron, fatty acids, vitamins K and A, manganese and zinc. By consuming it, you’re giving your body easy access to all of the essential nutrients it needs. This broth is also highly recommended to people who have low electrolyte levels because of vomiting, diarrhea or excessive sweating.