Learn about the benefits of bone broth

Photo of bone broth recipes

+ Can you tell me more about the nutrient and mineral density of broth?

Bone broth is a real food staple that has been valued through the annals of time and makes a great everyday addition to your daily diet. Biology doesn’t care for fads.

The simmering process causes the collagen of the bones, ligaments and cartilage to be broken down into gelatin, which is made up of the conditional amino acids proline, glycine, glutamine and arginine. All of these amino acids play important physiological roles and provide the building blocks needed to form and maintain healthy bones.

Nutritional Profile: TONEMADE ORGANIC DEHYDRATED BEEF BONE BROTH:

100g of dehydrated broth contains 20 serves

Quantity/100g
Energy 1690kJ
Protein 75g/100g
Fat, Total 9.3g/100g
Fat, Saturated 4.5g/100g
Fat, Monounsaturated 3.7g/100g
Carbohydrates 4g/100g
Sugars 1.4g/100g
Sodium 1.7g/100g

Nutritional Profile: TONEMADE ORGANIC DEHYDRATED CHICKEN BONE BROTH:

100g of dehydrated broth contains 20 serves

Quantity/100g
Energy 1460kJ
Protein 71.8g/100g
Fat, Total 4.7g/100g
Fat, Saturated 1.4g/100g
Fat, Monounsaturated 1.9g/100g
Carbohydrates 4g/100g
Sugars 1.4g/100g
Sodium 2.4g/100g

While bone broth contains levels of all twenty amino acids, following is the profile of these four key amino acids in

TONEMADE ORGANIC DEHYDRATED BEEF BONE BROTH:

Amino Acid mg per serve
Arginine 326.9
Glutamic Acid 495.6
Glycine 798.7
Proline 501.9

TONEMADE ORGANIC DEHYDRATED CHICKEN BONE BROTH:

Amino Acid mg per serve
Arginine 189
Glutamic Acid 434
Glycine 875
Proline 315

Bone broth also provides essential minerals, including electrolytes, in forms that are easily absorbed; calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and other trace minerals that are all important for supporting healthy circulation, neural functioning and digestion. We keep added sodium levels low to ensure bone broth contains an ideal balance of sodium and potassium to support cellular health and efficiency.

Mineral content: TONEMADE ORGANIC DEHYDRATED BEEF BONE BROTH:

Mineral Quantity mg/ 100g
Calcium 330mg/100g
Iron 2.1mg/100g
Magnesium 35mg/100g
Potassium 810mg/100g
Phosphorus 200mg/100g
Zinc 0.87mg/100g

Mineral content: TONEMADE ORGANIC DEHYDRATED CHICKEN BONE BROTH:

Mineral Quantity mg/ 100g
Calcium 470mg/100g
Iron 2.9mg/100g
Magnesium 120mg/100g
Potassium 910mg/100g
Phosphorus 650mg/100g
Zinc 1.4mg/100g

Collectively called glycosaminoglycans, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate are also important nutritional compounds found in broth. These play primary roles in maintaining the integrity of cartilage, collagen and elastin throughout the body.

+ I have heard that broth can help to heal the gut? How?

You heard right! Bone broth has a rich history of being used as a digestive tonic, especially in traditional cultures as far back as 2,500 years ago. Today, it’s one of the top recommended foods for supporting digestive health. As Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride says, bone broth is excellent for ‘healing and sealing’ the gut lining. Find out more about Leaky Gut here.

The reason bone broth supports the gut goes back to collagen, which forms gelatin when it’s cooked down even further.

Our gut lining is naturally semi-permeable, allowing small nutrient particles to cross into the bloodstream while blocking larger molecules, such as proteins and microbes. Things can start to go wrong when the gut lining becomes ‘leaky’, allowing large, unwanted molecules to pass into the bloodstream. As these large molecules enter our bloodstream, our immune system responds with inflammation, which can lead to a host of health issues.

Gelatin has been shown to restore the health and integrity of the mucosal gut lining by ‘sealing’ these leaks and reducing inflammation. It naturally attracts water and increases stomach acid which both aid in the digestive process. By reducing permeability and inflammation, gelatin helps to promote probiotic balance and growth, which is crucial for optimum gut health.

+ How can bone broth help boost immunity?

Bone broth has been used a medical elixir for colds and viruses for thousands of years. You have probably heard the terms "Jewish penicillin" or "Grandmas chicken soup" in relation to home rememdies. We are now seeing research emerge that links the state of our gut and the strength of our immunity.

Around 70% of our immune system is located in the gut as a vast network of lymph tissue referred to as GALT (gut associated lymphatic tissue). So the gut-supportive benefits of bone broth also help to support a healthy immune system.

A ‘leaky’ gut can also create a hyperactive immune system which increases levels of inflammation. This can potentially lead to dysfunctions throughout the body due to the release of antibodies that cause an autoimmune response. The gelatin in bone broth is soothing to the intestinal lining. ‘Healing and sealing’ these leaks can help to reduce inflammation and autoimmune responses.

Want to know more about the gut-autoimmune connection? Check out my article here for a deeper read.

+ How can broth help to nourish my bones and joints?

What better way to nourish your bones and joints than by consuming more of the nutrients already found within them, including hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, and magnesium. Bone broth contains all of these nutrients, plus several amino acids that support joint mobility and healthy inflammatory response like glycine proline.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and is the substance that holds everything together. It is found in the bones, muscles, skin and tendons, where it forms an elastic scaffold to provide strength and structure. Bone broth is a great source of the amino acids that provide the building blocks to augment and support these structures.

As we age, our joints suffer from wear and tear. Bone broth is a great source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, often sold as supplements for treating common symptoms of age-related disorders like arthritis.

Glucosamine is found within the cartilage of our joints and acts as a natural shock-absorber and joint lubricant. It also plays an important role in helping to maintain the integrity of cartilage through specific protein and lipid synthesis.

Chondroitin sulfate is also a major component of cartilage. It helps to maintain cartilage integrity by absorbing fluid into the connective tissue and may also block enzymes that break down cartilage.

Calcium and magnesium are also crucial minerals used by the body for bone production and fortification and broth is a great way to supply these in readily absorbable forms.

+ How can bone broth help to boost detoxification?

Our bodies are bombarded by a plethora of chemicals and toxins every day. As a result, our liver works in overdrive to detoxify the body.

Bone broth contains high levels of glycine, which plays a crucial role in the detoxification processes of the liver. It is also a precursor amino acid for glutathione which has liver cleansing functions and has been referred to as a ‘master antioxidant’.

So next time you are struggling with a hangover, a cup of broth will certainly help to sort you out!

+ I have heard that bone broth can also great for skin, hair and nails?

Again this comes down to the presence of gelatin and its constituent amino acids!

Firstly, the digestive benefits of bone broth positively affect the skin by reducing inflammation and improving the absorption of nutrients. Glycine also assists the liver in the removal of toxins and acts as a neurotransmitter that promotes restful sleep which both help the skin to look fresher and more vibrant.

Bone broth also provides the building blocks for the body to make collagen which helps to form elastin and other compounds in the skin that are responsible for maintaining youthful tone, texture and appearance. In addition to calcium and magnesium, these building blocks also help to support the growth and strength of our hair and nails.

Bone broth is like an internal beauty therapy helping you to shine from the inside out!

There are so many benefits of bone broth, but to really understand these benefits yourself, why not try some Tonemade certified organic dehydrated bone broth or vegetable broth today?

Photo of a mug of organic bone broth from tonemade.