Healthy Gut: The Benefits Of Bone Broth

A beauty secret of the Kardashians and recommended by health gurus across the world, bone broth, a simple health drink made by simmering the bones and connective tissue of animals, has recently gained popularity by proving to eradicate various lingering health conditions and auto-immune disorders.

Functional Medicine Coach and CEO at The Clean Living Company, Dean Henry, explains. “Bone Broth is nothing new and has been around since man first discovered fire… bone broth is simmered for a minimum of 24 hours, unlike stock which is generally only cooked for 1 to 4 hours. It should only be made with organic and grass-fed or free-range bones in water with acidity, such as apple cider vinegar, to help extract all the gut-healing amino acids from the bones. Usually, an array of complimentary herbs and vegetables are added, such as turmeric, ginger, carrots and onions; this is all cooked and infused together, filtered and refrigerated to create a gelatinous, tasty, healthy broth.”

Scientists say that your overall health depends on the health of your gut which is also why bone broth has grown in popularity. Not only is it easy to digest, but it may also aid in the digestion of other foods. “Gut health is paramount to our overall immune system and even our mental state and mood. At least 60 percent of our immune system is based in our gut, and it also houses neurotransmitters such as dopamine which helps us feel a sense of wellbeing and happiness,” adds Henry.

Leaky gut, which is associated with several chronic diseases, is when the barrier between your gut and the bloodstream is impaired. Substances that your body does not usually allow through leak into your bloodstream leads to inflammation and other problems. For all of these reasons, drinking bone broth may be beneficial for individuals with leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

“Many people suffer from intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut. This condition is usually due to an accumulation of poor diet, alcohol or stress over time; this can cause harm to your immune system and even lead to auto-immune issues. Other common symptoms can be skin conditions such as acne, eczema or psoriasis, joint pain, brain fog, bloating, sugar cravings, mood swings, allergies and fatigue. Due to Bone Broth’s amino acid profile, which consists of up to 19 different amino acids such as Glycine, Proline and Glutamine, all of which have a positive effect on your digestive tract can help repair your intestinal wall, improve nutrient absorption, and prevent inflammation.”

As many people turn to natural alternatives to build their vitality and health, bone broth is just one of nature’s recipes which is simple and yields results. “I found that after introducing bone broth to my diet about 2-3 times a week, I have less gas and I’m less bloated,” says GCC resident, Maria Drey.

Then, of course, there are the beauty benefits – It is one of the very few natural sources of collagen on the planet. With collagen linked to beauty, skin, hair and nails, bone broth, of course, is in high demand.

Experts say you can make bone broth using bones from just about any animal — beef, veal, turkey, lamb, bison, buffalo, venison, chicken, or fish. Marrow and connective tissues like feet, hooves, beaks, gizzards, or fins can also be added.

Animal bones are rich in magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and other trace minerals — the same minerals needed to build and strengthen your bones. Connective tissue gives you glucosamine and chondroitin, natural compounds found in cartilage that are known to support joint health. Marrow provides vitamin A, vitamin K2, minerals like zinc, iron, boron, manganese, and selenium, as well as Omega 3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

As the ingredients simmer, the nutrients are released into the water in a form your body can easily absorb. Many people do not get enough of these nutrients in their diet, so drinking bone broth is an excellent way to get more.

The other plus is that it is low in calories and kills the hunger pangs. Studies have found that eating it regularly can increase fullness and may be associated with decreased body weight and belly fat. It is also high in protein, which may help improve appetite control, increase weight loss, and maintain lean muscle mass. One study in 53 men also found that collagen helped increase muscle mass and decrease body fat when combined with resistance training.

Whether you decide to order some or make your own, quality is paramount. “Unless the bone broth is organic, pastured and free-range, it can’t be deemed a health product no matter what it says on the label. We see many people cutting corners using cheap ingredients that can have the reverse effect on your health. We urge consumers to do their research before purchasing bone broth or, of course, you can make their own, as long as they have access to the organic ingredients,” concludes Henry.

Simple Bone Broth recipe

Ingredients:

1kg of chicken bones
4 liters of bottled water
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 onion
4 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon of salt and/or pepper

Directions

Place bones and vegetables in a large stainless steel pot
Pour water so it covers the pot contents
Add vinegar, and increase the temperature to bring to a boil
Reduce heat, add salt and pepper, and then let simmer for up to 24 hours (the longer it simmers, the tastier and more nutrient dense it will be)
Allow the broth to cool, and then strain the solids out.
Serve or store in refrigerator

You can also add other meat, veggies or spices to your broth. Popular additions include parsley, bay leaves, carrots, celery, ginger, lemon rinds and liver.

After it is done, you can store the broth in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days, or in the freezer for up to three months.

Instead of a pot, you may also want to use a pressure cooker, slow cooker or Crock-Pot while you sleep.

 

 

SOURCE  TIMESKUWAIT

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