Lately, organic bone broth has gained popularity due to its many health benefits, including bone health. Bone broth provides a combination of minerals, amino acids, and collagen that support bone strength.
In this article, we’ll explore some science behind organic bone broth, its benefits for bone health, and how to incorporate it into your diet.
Feel free to skip ahead to the sections you are most interested in by clicking on these links:
What is Bone Broth?
Organic or Grass-fed- Reasons to Pay Extra
Nutrients in Bone Broth
Potential Benefits of Organic Bone Broth for Bone Health
How To Add Bone Broth To Your Diet
Tips for Buying Bone Broth
Recommended Organic and Grass-fed Bone Broth Products
Homemade Bone Broth
What is Bone Broth?
Bone broth is a liquid made by simmering animal bones (chicken, beef or fish) for an extended amount of time. If made homemade, one can add vegetables, herbs and spices to improve the flavor and add more nutrients. The slow-cooking process extracts valuable nutrients from the bones, cartilage, and connective tissue.
Organic or Grass-fed – Reasons to Pay Extra
There are a couple reasons to buy bone broth from organic and/or grass-fed animals. And, if you are making your own, to buy organic ingredients.
For one, the term “organic” means that animals are raised without the use of antibiotics, hormones and pesticides. A review of 35 different studies show that a diet with more organic foods (than conventional foods) is associated with less infertility, allergies, insulin resistance, and obesity.
And, the other reason is that the nutrition that we get from animals is affected by what they eat and how they are raised. Grass-fed beef and free-range chickens (if 100% grass-fed) forage off of land and are not grain fed. Studies show that grass-fed meat contains more vitamins A and E, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed meat.
I suggest that you buy organic bone broth from grass-fed animals if and when you can afford to do so.
Nutrition in Organic Bone Broth
Collagen: bone broth is a rich source of collagen, the most abundant protein that is important to your bones, joints, and connective tissues. Collagen provides structural support and helps maintain the integrity and elasticity of bones, contributing to overall bone strength and flexibility. There are some studies that show that collagen can help prevent bone loss and even increase bone mass.
Gelatin: During the cooking process, collagen in the bones is broken down into gelatin, a protein derivative known for its digestive and joint-supporting properties. Gelatin contains amino acids that play key roles in collagen synthesis and connective tissue repair.
Minerals: Organic bone broth is a rich source of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium, which are needed for bone mineralization and maintaining bone density. These minerals work together to support your bone strength and integrity.
Protein Content: Bone broth contains about 10 grams of protein per cup of liquid bone broth or around 15 grams per scoop of bone broth powder (depending on the brand). You can read our blog article about the importance of protein for bone health here.
Potential Benefits of Organic Bone Broth for Bone Health
Supports Bone Density: The collagen, minerals, and amino acids in bone broth provide essential building blocks for bone formation and maintenance, supporting your bone density and strength.
Promotes Joint Health: The gelatin in bone broth supports joint integrity, reduces inflammation, and promotes cartilage repair.
Enhances Nutrient Absorption: The amino acids and minerals in bone broth support optimal nutrient absorption, including calcium and other bone-supporting nutrients.
Supports Gut Health: The gelatin and other compounds in bone broth support gut integrity and function, promoting a healthy gut microbiome and reducing gut inflammation, which may indirectly benefit bone health.
How To Add Bone Broth To Your Diet
- Sip warm bone broth
- Use bone broth in cooking (use instead of regular broth)
- Blend it into smoothies (easy to do with unflavored/flavored bone broth powder)
- Make homemade soups and stews
- Add unflavored (or flavored) bone broth powder to your hot or cold drinks
Tips for Buying Bone Broth
Some Recommended Organic and Grass-fed Bone Broth Products
100% Grass Fed Bone Broth Protein Powder From PaleoValley
- Powder form, so easy to add to smoothies or beverages
- About 15 grams of protein per serving (scoop)
- Comes in unflavored, vanilla and chocolate
- No chemicals or solvents are used
- 100% grass-fed cows that are raised on pesticide-free pastures
- Only bones are used (not hides)
This is my personal favorite – easy to add to a warm cup of tea or any smoothie. You can buy it here.
Bare Bones Organic Broth – Liquid
- Liquid form
- 20 grams of protein per cup
- Organic animals that are pasture-raised
- Beef, chicken, turkey flavors
- Free of preservatives, hormones, antibiotics
- Only bones are used (not hides)
- You can buy Bare Bones Organic Broth here.
Pacific Organic Bone Broth
- Liquid Form
- 8 grams of protein per cup
- Organic with several flavors
- Organic veggies added
- Free of preservatives, hormones, antibiotics
- Can usually find this one at the grocery store
You can buy Pacific Organic Bone Broth at grocery stores or here.
Homemade Bone Broth
And, if you are looking to make your own, here’s a recipe for homemade bone broth. Our recommendation is to get bones from cows that are grass-fed and if you are making chicken bone broth, use bones from organic/free-range chickens.
With its abundance of collagen, minerals, and amino acids, bone broth provides essential building blocks for bone formation, joint health, and gut integrity. I hope you decide to add organic bone broth to your everyday routine!
