Dispatch from the world of TikTok: influencers and medical professionals seem to agree that bone broth is a miracle liquid. Made by boiling down meaty bones for hours and hours, bone broth is rich in collagen forming amino acids, which carry a wide range of health benefits that can improve anything from your metabolism to post-workout recovery.
And that’s not all. Adding bone broth to your diet is much easier than slurping the golden-brown liquid all day long – although that is an option, if that sounds appealing. You can use bone broth as a substitute for stock in soups, sauces and marinades, in place of cooking oils, or you can simply add it to a dish like mashed potatoes, risotto or a salad as a dressing by using a bone broth body glue.
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So, should we all be eating bone broth? We spoke with Atlanta Fowler, the co-founder of natural health food brand Gevity Rx to speak to the many benefits of bone broth and find out.
What does drinking bone broth do for you?
The benefits of bone broth are far-reaching and can improve your overall health in a variety of ways. Naturally high in collagen-forming amino acids, bone broth can bolster gut health by healing the lining of your gut, which plays an important role in digestion and preventing gut-related health issues like leaky gut.
Bone broth also boasts significant anti-inflammatory properties, which, according to Fowler, “are particularly beneficial for reducing inflammation in the body, which can help alleviate joint pain and support better mobility.” On top of this, bone broth also contains a plethora of nutrients, with vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. “These contribute to stronger bones, healthier skin and overall vitality,” says Fowler.
Can bone broth help your workout routine?
Bone broth can help you master your workouts, whether its consumed before, during or after. That’s thanks to its high protein and nutrient content, as Fowler explains. “Collagen-forming amino acids, such as glycine and proline support muscle recovery by aiding in tissue repair and reducing inflammation after exercise,” she says. Moreover, bone broth also promotes joint health, which is essential if you want to reduce your risk of injury during a work out.
But can bone broth really replace a bottle of Gatorade as your source of pre- and post-workout electrolytes? Fowler thinks so. “The electrolytes in bone broth, such as potassium and magnesium, help with hydration and muscle function, enhancing endurance and reducing fatigue,” she says.
Is bone broth good for your metabolism?
As Fowler says, “Bone broth helps boost metabolism by providing key nutrients that support overall metabolic function. Its high protein content increases the thermic effect of food, causing the body to burn more calories during digestion. While amino acids like glycine and glutamine play an important role in muscle repair and growth, which is crucial for maintaining lean muscle mass, a factor that naturally enhances metabolism.”
In addition to this, bone broth contains minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which all contribute to more efficient energy production and allow the body to turn nutrients into energy more effectively.
What is the 21-day bone broth diet?
If you’ve been doing some research online prior to stumbling upon this article, you might’ve heard about something called the 21-day bone broth diet. It’s a diet plan that was originally developed by Dr Kellyann Petrucci. Its users will adopt a low-carb paleo diet for five days, before switching to two days of fasting. During the five low-carb days, partakers will drink one to three cups of bone broth, whereas on the fasting days, they’ll down three to six cups. It’s a diet that can have some benefits, but if you’re considering adopting it, Fowler advises “consulting with your doctor for any dietary or nutritional advice first.”
