Grandmas around the world were validated when scientific research confirmed that chicken noodle soup really does help us get over colds faster. But chicken soup isn’t the only meaty concoction that comes with a health bonus. These days, carnivores in the know are all about bone broth, a liquid made by simmering bones with water and varying spices or vegetables for up to 24 hours. The idea isn’t new by any means. Chefs and home cooks have used bones from chickens, cows, pigs, goats, and other animals to create flavorful stocks and broths for centuries. But now, bone broth is suddenly popping up everywhere—from the L.A. Lakers’ team diet to a broth-slinging takeout window in New York City and in packaged form in your grocery store (although those may not contain as many nutrients). Here’s why this humble brew is heating up in popularity: Bone broth supplies bone-building nutrients.A properly brewed broth will also provide the healthy minerals found inside bones. That means you’ll get essentials like calcium, phosphorous, potassium, and magnesium with every sip. Bone broth can help soothe achy joints.Why pay for a glucosamine chondroitin supplement when you can get it from last night’s roast chicken? “Bone broth contains both chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, which help to decrease joint pain and inflammation,” says Dana James, certified nutrition specialist and founder of Food Coach NYC. Bone broth can help heal a leaky gut. An irritated digestive tract (also known as a leaky gut) can allow microbes and undigested food to escape the intestine, causing inflammation and discomfort. Bone broth is naturally equipped to block those leaks. “If you let the bone broth cool, you’ll see the gelatin float to the top,” says James. “This gelatin helps create a layer of film over the digestive tract which prevents bacteria and undigested particles from entering the bloodstream.” (Here’s how to tell if you have a leaky gut.) Bone broth can help make your skin glow. “So many of my patients have emailed me saying that it’s amazing what it does for their skin, hair, and nails,” says Cate Shanahan, MD, a family physician and nutrition consultant for the Los Angeles Lakers. That’s because bone broth is rich in hydrolyzed collagen, a protein that gives skin firmness and elasticity. Research even shows that ingesting hydrolyzed collagen supplements can reduce visible signs of aging, like wrinkles. So how much do you have to drink to see benefits? Well, that’s still unclear, says Shanahan, since there’s no recent scientific research on the beverage. But it’s still nutrient-dense, low-cost, and worth a try for curious carnivores (check out Shanahan’s favorite bone broth recipe). And hey, if it’s good enough for the Lakers… MORE: 20 Satisfying Soups And Stews
