Bone Broth, the New Liquid Gold
Bone Broth, the New Liquid Gold
The seasons are changing and the weather is getting cooler, perfect time for warm soup. Our grandparents have been making chicken soup for years, dishing it out when you feel under the weather. There really is scientific evidence to support that it benefits your health and speeds up the healing process. It’s simple to make, tastes delicious, and offers some amazing health benefits for the whole body.
What is Bone Broth?
Bone broth is made from animal bones and connective tissue, typically chicken, beef or turkey, but you can use any animal you prefer. This liquid gold is full of gelatin, vitamins, and minerals in a form your body can easily absorb and use. The actual bone gives you calcium and phosphorus. Bone marrow is rich in iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin K2, and omega-3 oils. The connective tissue provides glucosamine, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate, which are used for inflammation, joint pain, and arthritis. It is highly nutritious.
Where To Get Bone Broth
You can buy it from stores or restaurants, and one of our favorites is Dr. Josh Axe’s Bone Broth (check out his website where he sells both plain and flavored versions, greens and collagen). It’s also really simple to make at home.
How To Make Bone Broth
You cover your animal bones with water in a large pot and add vegetables, herbs, and spices. If you are fighting a cold, make the soup extra spicy with pepper, which will allow the mucus in your respiratory cavities to thin and clear faster. Using apple cider vinegar or lemon juice can help break down the collagen and connective tissues.
According to Chinese Traditional Medicine, adding certain vegetables, herbs and spices can boost your broth to even more health benefits that your body can use. Carrots can be added to help aid in digestion; fennel for an upset stomach; celery to support the large intestine; shiitake mushrooms for probiotic and vitamin D; or turmeric for anti-inflammatory.
You let it cook for a long time, 20-24 hours or if you feel adventurous give it a full 48! The longer it cooks, the more health benefits you can reap from it. Once it’s done simmering, you strain it and refrigerate it to consume, freeze it, add it to teas, soups, sauces, gravy, beans, and so much more!
Bone Broth Benefits
Promotes Healthy Gut
We all eat food that doesn’t sit well in our stomachs, which our body has a hard time digesting. These foods don’t get broken down correctly and can cause toxins and bacteria to enter our bloodstream, break down the stomach and intestinal lining, causing “leaky gut syndrome”. Bone broth is excellent for healing and sealing your gut. Bone broth is full of amino acids, which are building blocks that aid in preventing inflammation in the digestive tract and promote the growth of healthy probiotics.
Boosts Immunity
People who drink bone broth on a regular basis report they are less likely to contract the common cold or flu. When our gut is healthy and healed, our immune system functions at top notch. Bone broth has also been linked to improved mood, energy levels, and healthy sleep, all of which contribute to keeping your body’s immune system in great shape!
Reduces Joint Pain & Inflammation
Bone broth is great for reducing joint pain. When the cartilage is boiled down, it produces glucosamine and chondroitin, popular supplements for arthritis and joint pain. Replace your over the counter supplements with a cup of bone broth each day.
Promotes Strong Bones & Teeth
Bone broth contains high amounts of calcium and magnesium, both very important for bone health and growth.
Promotes Healthy Skin and Hair
Bones, marrow and connective tissue are all made up of collagen, and when cooked turns into gelatin. Gelatin is a protein that gives skin its tightness. Studies have shown that collagen and gelatin improve the appearance of skin and hair.
