Nowadays people everywhere are sipping bone broth from their teacups and coffee mugs. And admittedly, that might make you blurt out an “Eww!” But there’s good reason to trade in your tea for this savory substitute. Because research shows that bone broth benefits our gut health and, consequently, overall health in a multitude of ways, such as strengthening intestinal linings, decreasing inflammation, and even easing joint pain.
With that said, let’s clarify a few things. First…
What exactly is bone broth?
Well, it’s not the regular stock you use for making soups and the like. Bone broth simmers for much longer (from 8 and up to 24 hours!) and, therefore, contains more nutrients and minerals from the bones. And you can power up its nutritional punch even more by adding vegetables and spices to the broth as it cooks. This simmering process transforms bone broth into a smorgasbord of minerals (such as calcium, phosphorous, and potassium), amino acids, and collagen that feed a healthy gut.
On that note, let’s talk a little about the gut.
In recent years, researchers concluded that gut health influences our weight, skin, cognitive function, mental health, and endocrine system. It also plays a role in our risk of developing autoimmune diseases and cancer. In short, if your gut’s hurting, your health is hurting as well.
When working as it should, the gut breaks down food into its simplest form, extracts its best nutrients, sifts them through minuscule gaps in our intestinal lining, and distributes them throughout our bodies via the bloodstream. It houses good bacteria and immune cells that protect us from bad bacteria, viruses, and toxins. In short, a healthy gut nurtures and cares for the rest of our body.
And with all that said, here are…
3 Truly Awesome Bone Broth Benefits
1. Its soothing juices balance the gut and ease digestion. One of the biggest returns on investment for consuming bone broth is a stable, soothed, and happy gut. Because, as mentioned earlier, a balanced gut – which includes your esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines – is essential to vibrancy and health. When your gut is in a state of dysbiosis – or imbalance – it can wreak havoc on your well-being.
So, what role does bone broth play in stabilizing the gut?
First off, we can easily digest bone broth. And further, bone broth can help ease the digestion of other foods. Bone broth contains gelatin that binds with water in your digestive tract to move food particles and nutrients along. And that leaves your gut contented and calm.
2. It can heal a leaky gut. One of the most serious conditions associated with an unhealthy gut is known as leaky gut syndrome.
What the heck is that?
Well, again, our intestinal linings include tiny holes that allow nutrients to pass into our bloodstream and travel to other organs. But sometimes these cracks expand too much, allowing food particles, bad bacteria, and toxins to enter our bloodstream and causing prolonged inflammation. This condition is known as increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut.
Scientists haven’t narrowed down a specific cause of leaky gut syndrome, but they have concluded that some of the regular contributors to chronic health conditions play a role, including inadequate nutrition, regular alcohol consumption, infection, and stress. And leaky gut syndrome shares many symptoms with other health conditions that you might encounter, such as bloating, fatigue, brain fog, headaches, inability to concentrate, skin issues, and joint pain.
How exactly can bone broth benefit a leaky gut?
In a word… collagen.
Collagen is an essential protein in the gut that builds connective tissue. It protects the stomach lining and creates a barrier between the gut and everything else in your body. If you have a low supply of collagen, your stomach lining can become more permeable, and you can develop a leaky gut.
And there’s more… The gelatin in bone broth contains an amino acid called glutamine that helps strengthen the intestinal wall and might patch up intestinal cavities associated with leaky gut syndrome.
3. It helps fight inflammation. Other amino acids in bone broth, such as glycine and arginine, hold anti-inflammatory properties.
How is that relevant to gut health?
Well, the gut works tirelessly to fight inflammation within its own walls and in the entire body as well. It does this by using its good bacteria to defend the body against bad bacteria. Efficient digestion is a major player in this battle.
You can improve your digestion and reduce inflammation with a nutritious diet of health-promoting foods, including fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and, you guessed it… bone broth! You should also work to crowd out highly processed foods, refined carbs, sugar, and alcohol.
The bottom line…
So, as you can see, there are many bone broth benefits to the gut. And the flavorful and nutritious elixir offers a host of incredible benefits to our overall health, as well. With that in mind, it’s time to get sipping! Bottoms up, friends!
Anne deLeeuw is a freelance writer who specializes in crafting content about health, wellness, and all things associated with a life well-lived. She also believes in that old saying, “practice what you preach,” and recently earned an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Moving forward, Anne plans to grow her career in the wellness industry by helping women adopt all the healthy habits she’s been describing through her writing.
Leave a Reply