What is Bone Broth?
Bone broth or stocks are generally produced for culinary purposes for stews and soups. However, more recently (although I bet our grandparents would know about this), they have made their way into many health regimes.
These nutrient dense liquids are made from bones (beef, chicken etc.) along with vegetables, herbs and seasonings, and are generally cooked for long periods of time to extract all the beneficial nutrients.
What are the Health Benefits of Bone Broth?
Bone broths are well known for their nutrient dense properties, which can help strengthen and support our immune system, inhibit infections, reduce inflammation and joint pain and promote healthy digestion. Bone Broths are packed full of minerals including phosphorus and calcium and essential and non-essential amino acids such as glutamine. They are also naturally rich in gelatin, collagen and glucosamine.
Gut Healing Benefits:
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the blood and plays a vital role in repairing and maintaining gut barrier function. Glutamine is able to provide a healing effect on the digestive system through its ability to reduce mucosal permeability and inhibit the adherence and translocation of pathogenic bacteria within the gut (1). Under normal physiological functions, the body is able to provide adequate amounts of glutamine. However, when the body is under stress, it is unable to synthesis glutamine in sufficient quantities, requiring glutamine from external sources such as food or supplementation. (Glutamine by far is one of my favourite gut healing supplements!)
Collagen and gelatin are also important for gut health. The break down of collagen in bone broth is what produces gelatin – also known as the cooked form of collagen. One of the key amino acids that form collagen and gelatin is Glycine. Glycine works to protect and heal the gut from inflammation, preventing intestinal damage, which can lead to permeability (2).
Glucosamine helps form connective tissue that makes up parts of the digestive tract and is beneficial for gut healing. Research shows that patients with Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) often have low levels of glucosamine in the body and that supplementation can help reduce inflammation and improve overall symptoms. (3).
Often people with gastrointestinal issues require gentle, healing foods. Bone Broth is my go to when I suffer from flare-ups and is a number one recommendation to my clients, as not only is it nourishing and nutrient dense, it helps soothe and heal.
Check out my healing Chicken Broth recipe here.
In Health & Happiness
Chae @ The Wellness Emporium
Further Readings
Body Ecology. http://bodyecology.com/articles/bone-broth
Health Benefits of Bone Broth.
http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health/health+advice/health+benefits+of+bone+broth,37289
Stock or Broth, are you confused? http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/stock-vs-broth-are-you-confused/
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