Bone broth has been given extra attention by health minded people. Bones and connective tissues of animals are simmered with water to make this broth, which doesn’t necessarily sound appealing to drink. The most common animals the broth is made form include chicken, beef, pork, lamb, bison, fish, turkey, and venison. There isn’t an exact recipe or correct way to make bone both, but usually a large pot of water, vinegar, and the animal parts are simmered to taste. Vinegar is the key ingredient because it pulls all the nutrients out of the bones. Salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, and thyme are commonly used ingredients as well.
Why would anyone want to drink the broth of animal parts? Animal bones are filled with vitamins and minerals our body greatly benefits from. These include calcium and magnesium which strengthen our own bones. Animal bones also have zinc, iron, vitamin A and B, as well as collagen. Simmering the bone parts releases all these nutrients so that we can drink and absorb the benefits.
Another purpose of bone both is its ability to improve the digestive system. It can help reduce inflammation in the digestive track. The collagen in bone broth turns into gelatin which has an amino acid called glutamic acid. Once in the body it converts to glutamine which helps the functioning of the intestinal wall. This fights against leaky gut and other gastrointestinal diseases. Collagen also aids with joint health. The other amino acids in bone broth (glycine and arginine) help fight inflammation. Glycine has also been shown to help with sleep. Deeper sleep, less waking up, and falling asleep faster have all been found by those who drink bone broth near dinner/bedtime.
Bone broth is packed with benefits and has very little calories. It can help with weight management because it is high in protein and low in calories. It can be homemade, or store bought. Bone broth dates to pre-historic times when hunter-gatherers used the left-over body parts of the animals they killed for food. Today, the benefits remain and what might seem like the part of the animal you would normally throw away, you could save (or freeze) to make use of for a healthy drink.
Dr. Megan Johnson McCullough owns a fitness studio in Oceanside CA called Every BODY’s Fit. She has a Doctorate in Health and Human Performance, M.A. in Physical Education & Health Science, and she’s an NASM Master Trainer & Instructor. She’s also a professional natural bodybuilder, fitness model, Wellness Coach, and AFAA Group Exercise Instructor. She has 6 books on Amazon too,.
