Homemade bone broth is absolutely amazing and your friend has a very good point to make. All broths are great for us. It is easy to absorb a good broth, meaning we can easily access all the nutrients inside it. Chicken broth, for instance, is known as Jewish penicillin.
“It plays a critical role in soothing the gut and allowing the body to absorb critical nutrition in the most assimilable way. Loaded with minerals, one of our nation’s epidemic health issues, bone broth is a great way to replenish the body’s likely depleted mineral reserves.”
The benefits of bone broth are too many to mention. It comes from an age old recipe, from the times when people really struggle to access sufficient calcium in their diets. They therefore turned to bones, a cheap alternative to meat, which also increased their calcium intake. However, just because we are no longer so poor that we have to nibble on carcasses doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consume bone broth anymore.
“Bone broth provides our bodies with bio-available (very easy to consume, digest and absorb) forms of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and other trace minerals that are so lacking in our diets today.”
For people with digestive problems, bone broth is even more beneficial. It isn’t only about the calcium and other minerals, but the understanding that the high levels of collagen are what make the broth so suitable for people with issues of the gut.
“Collagen has been found to help heal the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach and the intestines. This means that heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and many of the conditions associated with intestinal inflammation can be helped with bone broth.”
“Besides collagen, cartilage contains something called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Studies have found an underlying deficiency of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in people with digestive problems. Correcting a deficiency and helping to repair a compromised gut wall is another good reason to consume bone broth regularly.”
Bone broth has many other health benefits as well. It is no surprise that it has been used all over the world for thousands of years. Believed to have originated in ancient China, it has taken the world by storm and for good reason. Unfortunately, in recent years, it has fallen out of favor slightly, mainly because it does take quite some time to cook it. However, it will keep and you can make quite a lot of servings out of single pan of soup. When you understand the benefits of bone broth, you are likely to give it a go yourself.
“The prolonged cooking of bones in water results in a broth rich in nutritional constituents that promote strength, tonify blood, nourish in times of sickness and rehabilitation, and help to prevent bone and connective tissue disorders.”
We have discussed the collagen and glycosaminoglycans, but bone broth contains other fantastic nutrients as well. The cartilage, for instance, helps with degenerative joint disease, arthritis, lowered immune systems and IBS. The bone marrow helps your red blood cells to carry oxygen. It also builds up your white blood cells and your platelet count. The proline helps stabilize your blood sugars, helps with healing, improves gastric secretion and detoxifies your liver. The gelatine helps create new bone tissue and helps digestion.
Next time you cook a chicken, make sure you keep the bones, even if it means freezing them until you fancy a nice broth. It is easy to make and the benefits are tremendous. It is food for the mind, body and soul, as well as warming up your heart and home as it is cooking.
©2013 Shantih Coro
