A steaming hot bowl of soup with vegetables or meat seems ideal on a cold winter day. A whiff of the pepper, garlic and ginger that goes into that bowl of goodness smells heavenly. And all the better when you have a cold or cough. Chicken soup for colds! Our grandmothers used to swear by this and nowadays science is backing up their sagely wisdom.
Bone broth has been around for years and each country has its own special versions of it. Ideally, broth was prepared so that the bones and cartilage would not be wasted. Simmering them over a slow fire was known to release their nutrients and minerals. When consumed, this has been known to strengthen joints and even prevent inflammation. In addition, cooking with pepper, herbs and spices helps boost immunity and provides beneficial active compounds and antioxidants.
Benefits of bone broth
Prevents joint pains
Compounds like glucosamine and chondroitin are found in bone broth. They are known to help prevent joint pains and are helpful in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This usually occurs due to ageing when the cartilage between bones begins to thin leading to inflammation (the bones rub against each other). Collagen from the bones is beneficial to help prevent this breakdown and helps keep cartilage intact. The broth is rich in chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine and hyaluronic acid. These 3 compounds further help in supporting cartilage health and prevent it from wearing out too soon. Supplements for bone health often contain these nutrients, but tend to be expensive. Preparing a home-made bone broth is a cheaper and perhaps more effective way to benefit from these nutrients.
Boosts immunity
Simmering bones helps to leach the nutrients out completely. This makes it easy for the body to absorb as well. The gelatin present in bone broth helps to boost intestinal health, along with other anti- inflammatory compounds, helps in efficient digestive functioning. The presence of gelatin promotes probiotic growth which benefits the body and boosts immunity. The amino acids found in bone broth made from chicken bones help fight infections and cold by preventing inflammation in the respiratory tract.
Collagen for Skin, Hair and Nails
Skin ageing is inevitable, in addition stress, exposure to environmental toxins makes the skin susceptible to free radical damage. This causes wrinkles, skin ageing and damage to the epidermal cells. The collagen present in bone broth helps form elastin which helps maintain
the structural and functional integrity of the skin. Collagen helps the skin to retain moisture and gives a plump and healthy look to it. Hyaluronic acid in bone broth is also found in various dermatological creams and promotes cell rejuvenation.
Weight Loss
As an aid to lose weight bone broth can be helpful. Vegetables, herbs and spices can be added while preparing the broth. You can start your meal with a bowl of this nutrient loaded dish, or you may choose to have this as a between meal snack which can prevent you from gorging on any junk or high calorie foods. The broth is both nourishing and filling which can help you shed those pounds. Along with a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise this can help you lose weight effectively.
References #BoneBroth Benefits for Digestion, Arthritis, and Cellulite. (2018). Retrieved from https://draxe.com/the-healing-power-of-bone-broth-for-digestion-arthritis-and-cellulite/ 7 Health Benefits Of Bone Broth. (2018). Retrieved from https://doctor.ndtv.com/living-healthy/bone-broth-7-health-benefits-1887990 8 Reasons to Get In On the Bone Broth Trend. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/cooking-ideas/8-reasons-try-bone-broth 10 Benefits of Bone Broth + Gut-Healing Recipe. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9890/10-benefits-of-bone-broth-guthealing-recipe.html Here, G., Family, R., & Guide, S. (2018). Bone Broth: What it is, Why It's Good for You, and How to Make It. Retrieved from https://nourishedkitchen.com/bone-broth/ http://time.com. (2018). Retrieved from http://time.com/4159156/bone-broth-health-benefits/ Pratap, V. (2018). Bone Broth For Healthy Skin & Hair. Retrieved from https://fitbodybuzz.com/bone-broth-healthy-skin-hair/ What Is Bone Broth? Health Benefits, Myths, and Facts | UPMC. (2018). Retrieved from https://share.upmc.com/2018/07/benefits-of-bone-broth/