In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Is Bone Broth?Bone Broth NutritionHealth BenefitsIs Bone Broth Safe for Everyone?Tips for Enjoying Bone BrothThe Bottom Line
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What Is Bone Broth?
Bone Broth Nutrition
Health Benefits
Is Bone Broth Safe for Everyone?
Tips for Enjoying Bone Broth
The Bottom Line
Close
Photo:Jamie Vespa
Jamie Vespa
Bone broth is having a moment, and it’s easy to see why. This nutrient-dense elixir is rich in collagen and essential nutrients like minerals and amino acids that can support your health in more ways than one. It’s no surprise then that bone broth has been used for years to help prevent and treat several diseases associated with nutritional deficiencies.
But what happens to your body when you drinkbone brothevery day? Read on as we explore bone broth’s nutritional profile, health benefits, potential drawbacks of daily consumption, and tips for incorporating this ancient liquid into your diet.
Caroline Young, RD, a registered dietitian and owner ofWhole Self Nutrition, tellsEatingWell, “Bone broth provides several minerals and electrolytes, such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium, all of which are important and essential for optimal health.”
One cup (8 ounces) of bone broth contains the following:
What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Bone Broth Every Day
It Can Help Reduce Inflammation
Bone broth contains anti-inflammatory compounds like collagen,glutamineand glycine. These nutrients may also help alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Young says, “Bone broth contains the amino acid glycine, which has been shown to help prevent chronic inflammation.”
It May Improve Bone Health
Bone broth is rich in minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Research shows these nutrients are essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones.They also play a crucial role in bone density and strength, helping prevent conditions like osteoporosis. “Bone broth may help support bone health since it includes nutrients critical to good bone health, like calcium and phosphorus,” says Young.
It Can Support Healthy Joints
“Bone broth contains glucosamine, a part of cartilage, which is associated with improved joint health,” explains Young. The gelatin and collagen in bone broth can be beneficial for joint health, as they help maintain the integrity of cartilage and reduce joint pain.
It May Benefit Your Gut Health
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While bone broth offers numerous health benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with certain dietary restrictions, like those following vegetarian and vegan diets. “Bone broth is generally safe for most people, but, like most things, it’s not safe for anyone in large amounts,” Young explains. “The main risk to daily consumption of bone broth is taking in toxic heavy metals, like lead and cadmium. However, research shows the risk associated with consuming such metals is relatively minimal in store-bought and homemade bone broths.”
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Here are some tips for including bone broth in your diet, according to Young:
Consider incorporating bone broth into your regular routine for its many benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved bone health, better joint support and a healthier gut. While bone broth is generally safe for most people, overconsumption may potentially expose you to unhealthy levels of toxic heavy metals. To enjoy bone broth while reaping its health benefits, sip it warm, use it as a base for soups, stews and sauces, or add it to homemade salad dressings. Consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if you have any questions or concerns about adding bone broth to your diet.
Read Next:What Happens to Your Body When You Have Inflammation
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Mar-Solís, L.M.et al.(2021) ‘Analysis of the anti-inflammatory capacity of bone broth in a murine model of ulcerative colitis’,Medicina, 57(11), p. 1138.doi:10.3390/medicina57111138.Hsu, D.et al.(2017) ‘Essential and toxic metals in animal bone broths’,Food & Nutrition Research, 61(1), p. 1347478.doi:10.1080/16546628.2017.1347478.Fooddata Central Search Results(no date)FoodData Central. Available at:https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/551729/nutrients(Accessed: 16 February 2024).Aguayo-Cerón, K.A.et al.(2023) ‘Glycine: The smallest anti-inflammatory micronutrient’,International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(14), p. 11236.doi:10.3390/ijms241411236.Beswick, K. (2020)Bone Broth: Is it good for you?,Cedars. Available at:https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/bone-broth.html(Accessed: 16 February 2024).Ciosek, Ż.et al.(2021) ‘The effects of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, fluoride, and lead on bone tissue’,Biomolecules, 11(4), p. 506.doi:10.3390/biom11040506.Martínez-Puig, D.et al.(2023) ‘Collagen supplementation for Joint Health: The link between composition and scientific knowledge’,Nutrients, 15(6), p. 1332.doi:10.3390/nu15061332.Cruzat, V.et al.(2018) ‘Glutamine: Metabolism and immune function, supplementation and clinical translation’,Nutrients, 10(11), p. 1564.doi:10.3390/nu10111564.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Mar-Solís, L.M.et al.(2021) ‘Analysis of the anti-inflammatory capacity of bone broth in a murine model of ulcerative colitis’,Medicina, 57(11), p. 1138.doi:10.3390/medicina57111138.Hsu, D.et al.(2017) ‘Essential and toxic metals in animal bone broths’,Food & Nutrition Research, 61(1), p. 1347478.doi:10.1080/16546628.2017.1347478.Fooddata Central Search Results(no date)FoodData Central. Available at:https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/551729/nutrients(Accessed: 16 February 2024).Aguayo-Cerón, K.A.et al.(2023) ‘Glycine: The smallest anti-inflammatory micronutrient’,International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(14), p. 11236.doi:10.3390/ijms241411236.Beswick, K. (2020)Bone Broth: Is it good for you?,Cedars. Available at:https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/bone-broth.html(Accessed: 16 February 2024).Ciosek, Ż.et al.(2021) ‘The effects of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, fluoride, and lead on bone tissue’,Biomolecules, 11(4), p. 506.doi:10.3390/biom11040506.Martínez-Puig, D.et al.(2023) ‘Collagen supplementation for Joint Health: The link between composition and scientific knowledge’,Nutrients, 15(6), p. 1332.doi:10.3390/nu15061332.Cruzat, V.et al.(2018) ‘Glutamine: Metabolism and immune function, supplementation and clinical translation’,Nutrients, 10(11), p. 1564.doi:10.3390/nu10111564.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Mar-Solís, L.M.et al.(2021) ‘Analysis of the anti-inflammatory capacity of bone broth in a murine model of ulcerative colitis’,Medicina, 57(11), p. 1138.doi:10.3390/medicina57111138.Hsu, D.et al.(2017) ‘Essential and toxic metals in animal bone broths’,Food & Nutrition Research, 61(1), p. 1347478.doi:10.1080/16546628.2017.1347478.Fooddata Central Search Results(no date)FoodData Central. Available at:https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/551729/nutrients(Accessed: 16 February 2024).Aguayo-Cerón, K.A.et al.(2023) ‘Glycine: The smallest anti-inflammatory micronutrient’,International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(14), p. 11236.doi:10.3390/ijms241411236.Beswick, K. (2020)Bone Broth: Is it good for you?,Cedars. Available at:https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/bone-broth.html(Accessed: 16 February 2024).Ciosek, Ż.et al.(2021) ‘The effects of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, fluoride, and lead on bone tissue’,Biomolecules, 11(4), p. 506.doi:10.3390/biom11040506.Martínez-Puig, D.et al.(2023) ‘Collagen supplementation for Joint Health: The link between composition and scientific knowledge’,Nutrients, 15(6), p. 1332.doi:10.3390/nu15061332.Cruzat, V.et al.(2018) ‘Glutamine: Metabolism and immune function, supplementation and clinical translation’,Nutrients, 10(11), p. 1564.doi:10.3390/nu10111564.
Mar-Solís, L.M.et al.(2021) ‘Analysis of the anti-inflammatory capacity of bone broth in a murine model of ulcerative colitis’,Medicina, 57(11), p. 1138.doi:10.3390/medicina57111138.
Hsu, D.et al.(2017) ‘Essential and toxic metals in animal bone broths’,Food & Nutrition Research, 61(1), p. 1347478.doi:10.1080/16546628.2017.1347478.
Fooddata Central Search Results(no date)FoodData Central. Available at:https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/551729/nutrients(Accessed: 16 February 2024).
Aguayo-Cerón, K.A.et al.(2023) ‘Glycine: The smallest anti-inflammatory micronutrient’,International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(14), p. 11236.doi:10.3390/ijms241411236.
Beswick, K. (2020)Bone Broth: Is it good for you?,Cedars. Available at:https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/bone-broth.html(Accessed: 16 February 2024).
Ciosek, Ż.et al.(2021) ‘The effects of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, fluoride, and lead on bone tissue’,Biomolecules, 11(4), p. 506.doi:10.3390/biom11040506.
Martínez-Puig, D.et al.(2023) ‘Collagen supplementation for Joint Health: The link between composition and scientific knowledge’,Nutrients, 15(6), p. 1332.doi:10.3390/nu15061332.
Cruzat, V.et al.(2018) ‘Glutamine: Metabolism and immune function, supplementation and clinical translation’,Nutrients, 10(11), p. 1564.doi:10.3390/nu10111564.
