The buzz about bone broth
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Considering the nutritional value of bone broth paired with its deliciousness, it’s no wonder this simple concoction is on-trend.
Bone broth, made from simmering animal meat bones in water with a variety of vegetables and herbs, is a nutritional powerhouse consisting of collagen (which converts to gelatin when cooked), vitamins, and minerals. It can be used as a foundation for soups, stews, and sauces, and even enjoyed alone as a hot beverage.
The best part? This easy-to-make stock does more than just warm you on a cool day.
The nutrients bone broth provides can:
- restore, heal, and protect gut health (especially in cases of leaky gut)
- enhance immunity
- support joints and bones
- stimulate healthy skin, hair, and nails
- encourage proper sleep
- help the liver detox
- manage weight and support certain diets such as the ketogenic diet
With all these benefits, are you ready to get simmering?
Try to make your own bone broth with these tips:
- Opt for organic beef, buffalo, or chicken bones with marrow (use them from meat you have roasted or ask your local butcher for options they may have in stock).
- Add a few bones to a slow cooker with ¼ cup of vinegar (white or apple cider), a heavy pinch of salt, and a variety of vegetables such as onions, garlic, mushrooms, carrots, and celery (if preferred). Cover with filtered water.
- Simmer in the slow cooker for 4-6 hours, skimming the fat off the top if desired.
Use your broth immediately or store it in the refrigerator (up to one week) or freeze.
Keep in mind that there is no exact science to making bone broth. Experiment by adding different herbs such as rosemary and thyme, spices such as turmeric or ginger, produce such as greens and root vegetables, and even adaptogens such as astragalus, nettles or rhodiola.
Does making your own bone broth not sound like your thing?
That’s okay. There are numerous bone broth products available to use as a quick base for your vegetable soup, a marinade for protein, additions to side dishes or casseroles, or even just as an afternoon cup of comfort to sip on. Make sure to look for organic broths in BPA-free containers.
Whether making your own or purchasing premade, bone broth is both a nutritious and delicious way to enhance your health. Eight ounces daily for a few weeks can work to support such areas as your gut, immune system, sleep, and bones.
REFERENCES:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/bone-broths-are-brimming-with-nutrients
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/10-benefits-bone-broth-25512