Our Criterias To Determine The Best Bone Broth
- Flavor: if it doesnt actually taste good, it doesnt make it on this list!
- Nutrition: All the bone broth we feature does not include excessive calories, sodium, or other add-ins. They also have to contain a good amount of protein
- Price: these 5 best bone broths have a range of price points to fit your specific budget and needs
- Accessibility: it should be easy to get your hands on these bone broths
- Sustainability: are these companies using ethical practices, such as recyclable packaging and bones from grass-fed animals?
Gut Healing Homemade Bone Broth
Simple. Cheap. Nourishing.
Those are the three words that come to mind when I think of bone broth.
Along with delicious, glistening droplets of golden-yellow fat that make the most flavorful and comforting soups and stews.
Bone broth made from slow-simmered bones of responsibly raised, pastured or grass-fed animals and organic vegetables is healing food that should be consumed daily for optimal digestive health.
Slow cooking the bones with a bit of acid releases calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, glutamine, proline and glycine into the liquid along with a slew of other amino acids . One of these amino acids is glutamine, which is particularly important for gut health because the cells lining the gut wall turn over rapidly and glutamine is their preferred fuel. This regular turnover of cells is what helps to repair and rebuild damaged intestinal villi . People suffering from leaky gut syndrome, celiac disease, colitis or Crohns disease often have flattened or damaged villi which leads to malabsorption.
For those with a seemingly healthy gut and no history of digestive disease or disorder, bone broth should still be a regular part of your diet as it has been shown to boost the immune system in several ways. The amino acids glutamine, proline and glycine also support tissue repair and speed the healing of injuries, wounds, burns and have also been shown to decrease recovery time after surgery and major illnesses.
Bone broth improves detoxification.
How To Fix Your Leaky Gut
Many of the suggestions below are not sexy but they are incredibly important! Before you consider any fancy supplements or witch-doctor remedies, first make any lifestyle changes necessary that are sustainable to long term health.
These changes are geared toward managing stress. Only when we start to manage stress in our lives can we start to restore healthy gut flora and eventually rebuild the damaged intestinal lining of our leaky gut.
Remember the bucket analogy? Choose wisely what you fill your bucket with. When you know youll be bogged down with work, its probably not the best idea to start a new diet for beach season or train for a triathalon.
Heres how you can fix your gut:
- Sleep: 7-9 hours of sleep seems to be optimal for most. Were talking about sleep, not time in bed.
- Eat fermentable / soluble fibers from vegetable sources.
- Introduce more fermented foods into your diet: apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir and yogurt .
- Drink bone broth from organic, gass-fed and pasture raised animals.
- Consider taking a multi species, high quality probiotic.
- Consider an autoimmune diet: basically you avoid dairy, eggs, sweeteners, grains, nightshades and processed foods.
Some other important things to consider about stress is our relationships. You need take steps to remedy any toxic relationships you have with people in your life.
Sometimes this means gradually removing yourself from these relationships. Only then can your body recover.
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Organic Gut Healing Bone Broth
To make delicious, gelatinous, gut healing bone broth you need to get a few basics right. This recipe will reward you with the most exquisite and nutritious broth you will ever taste.
Bone broths are the cornerstone of a gut healing protocol and it could not be easier to incorporate into the daily diet. You can take it straight or in soups, poach meat and fish, cook beans, cook rice and other grains, use in dressings and in some cases we have even managed to sneak it in a smoothie for the trickiest of a customer!
It is essential that the bones are sourced from an organic and ethical supplier. In this recipe, we have used chicken bones as this is the mildest broth and appeals to the majority. You can also use beef bones or pork bones I am not a fan of using lamb bones as the taste is too strong but some people love that. You can also use wild meat and bird bones as long as you have a great source then most bones would work really well.
To get our chicken broth truly gelatinous we have used the chicken carcass as well as the necks and the feet the feet are essential I know that there might be a yuk factor for some but without the chicken feet, the broth will be watery and not nearly as healing. We buy our bones from Green Pasture Farms or Primal Meats both are excellent suppliers and we love their ethical stance and their awesome service.
- 1/4cupapple cider vinegar
- 1Stick dried kombu
Reason #: Essential Amino Acids
In 2017, a study sponsored in part by the University of New Mexicos School of Medicine in Albuquerque showed that people with certain digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome , maintain lower levels of amino acid levels in general . The researchers also postulated that increasing amino acid content through food and supplementation could help digestive symptoms.
Bone broth contains many key amino acids that add another layer of healing for your gut. Both glycine and proline are amino acids found in bone broth that are essentials for brain and gut health .
Proline has been found to benefit lymph tissue in the gut as well as support intestinal healing .
Glycine is intricately involved in digestive health as well. It helps to maintain the correct acidity levels in the digestive tract and assists in the breakdown of fatty acids from food .
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Getting Collagen And Glycosaminoglycans From Chicken And/or Pigs Feet
When cooked in a broth, beef knuckle bones, chicken and pigs feet, and fish heads release many glycosaminoglycans, gelatin-like substances that include keratin, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate. These natural shock absorbers are great for repairing the health of the gut, skin, hair, joints, and more.
Ways To Add Bone Broth To Recipes
While the classic bone broth recipe is delicious even with just a little salt and pepper, there are several ways you can mix it up and add it to other recipes for a richer, decadent flavor. See some examples below:
- Use bone broth as a soup and stew base. Examples: beef stew, butternut squash and carrot soup, chicken soup, and Paleo chilis.
- Braise baked meats in broth as a flavorful alternative to water.
- Poach fish in broth for a rich infusion of flavor.
- Whip up homemade sauces using broth as the liquid.
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Heal And Seal Your Gut
One of the main bone broth benefits is for your gut. A cup of bone broth a day can help with leaky gut syndrome, but it’s also good for protecting non-leaky guts, according to Jill Grunewald, a holistic nutrition coach and founder of Healthful Elements. The gelatin in the bones typically used for making broth is said to help seal up holes in intestines. This “patching” can help ease chronic diarrhea, constipation, and even some food intolerances. Not to mention, it goes down easy that’s why dietitians recommend broth as one of the best hangover foods or for patients with food sensitivities.
Vegan Bone Broth Alternative Ingredients
My version contains lots of nutritional goodness that is great for overall health but particularly focuses on plenty of gut-healing properties. Feel free to switch up, leave out or add in any ingredients you like, to suit your diet and taste.
The main stars are:
- Wakame seaweed:Great source of omega 3 one of the best for vegans, act as preobiotics which are great for intestinal health, full of vitamins and minerals . Not suitable for SCD diets, leave out as necessary.
- Shiitake mushrooms:Aside from giving the most amazing flavour, these mushrooms have been shown to inhibit inflammation in the gut. Theyre also full of amino acids, vitamin D, zinc and B vitamins.
- Coconut oil or olive oil:Mainly to aid in absorbing nutrients but coconut oil also has other properties that help destroy bad bacteria, yeast and lower stomach acid.
- Turmeric:Powerful anti-inflammatory to help with gut inflammation and gut permeability, plus adds delicious flavour and a beautiful colour.
- Spinach or kale:Full of vitamins and fibre. Spinach has also been found to contain a sulfosugar that lowers gut inflammation.
- Coconut aminos:To add flavour, amino acids and the benefit of probiotics that comes with fermented foods. May not be suitable for some diets as its considered a sugar, so leave out if necessary. You can find it in health food stores or on .
It paired wonderfully with the mushrooms, ginger, chilli and coconut aminos for an Asian-style flavour. SO good and wonderfully comforting.
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Why Bone Broth Is So Good For Your Gut
Bone broth contains significant amounts of collagen, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on your gut in several ways.
To begin, your intestinal lining is made up of collagen, which acts as a barrier to keep the things youve ingested such as food out of your bloodstream.
When this lining is damaged by things like a bad diet, stress, or bad bacteria, leaky gut can occur. Food particles pass into your bloodstream and cause a whole host of problems, including immune reactions and inflammation.
Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease are likely to have lower levels of serum collagen, causing researchers to believe adding collagen to your diet could improve IBS symptoms and inflammation.
Studies show that amino acids in collagen, like l-glutamine, can help inhibit inflammation and repair the gut lining by increasing collagen synthesis in animals. This is major news for people suffering from autoimmune and inflammatory diseases that could be related to leaky gut, as the first priority would be to heal the gut lining.
Bone broth provides you with a hefty source of collagen and gut-friendly amino acids, which is why making it a staple in your diet could work wonders.
How To Make Beef Bone Broth
The main difference between beef and chicken bone broths is that we use beef bones to make beef bone broth and use chicken bones to make chicken bone broth.
All other ingredients remain thesame. However, there is a difference in the simmering time. While chicken bonebroth should be simmered between 18 24 hours, beef bone broth should besimmered for a longer period of time.
This is because beef bones arethicker and stronger than chicken bones and it will take a longer period oftime to liberate the nutrients from the bones.
The nutrients are what providebone broth with its gut-healing powers, so you wouldnt want to shorten thesimmering time and lose out on a lot of benefits.
- Beef bones
- Carrots
- Freshparsley stems and/or leaves
- whole blackpeppercorns
- kosher salt
- Apple cidervinegar
Once again, were going forroasted beef bones. If your bones arent roasted, you can roast them byfollowing the easy guide we gave above.
Roasting bones helps with theflavor, so you wouldnt want to miss out on that. However, you can go ahead andmake your broth even if your bones arent roasted.
You can also blanch your bonesbefore roasting them. Blanching is actually important but optional. Blanchingthe bones helps remove the skin and some bone bits that would ruin your brothcompletely.
They wouldnt ruin the nutrientvalue of your broth but can affect the taste.
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Reason #: Vitamins & Minerals
Finally, bone broth contains dozens of other substances, including essential vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for not only the gut but for the vibrant functioning of the entire body .
Just some of the vitamins and minerals found in bone broth include:
- Vitamin K, which assists in the healthy flourishing of beneficial bacteria in the gut and is also needed to synthesize calcium
- B vitamins, all of which help to stabilize the gut microbiome in different ways
- Magnesium, essential for maintaining gut bacteria balance
- Iron, also helpful for maintaining beneficial gut bacteria
- Vitamin C, needed for collagen synthesis
- Vitamin A, which helps the immune system from becoming overactive
What Causes Leaky Gut
Leaky gut happens when the lining becomes permeable. According to Todays Dietitian, one of the possible reasons is a protein called zonulin.
This works as a gatekeeper of cells, controlling what goes in and stays out. The article mentioned studies that associate it with autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes.
It may also contribute to celiac disease. It is a medical condition in which the immune system attacks the intestinal wall when it senses gluten, a protein found in grains.
Another potential cause is digestive plaque. Much like the oral plaque, this one includes possibly harmful bacteria and fungi that line the intestinal walls.
The plaque serves as their shield to protect them from death. In turn, they can multiply, throw your microbiome out of balance, and destroy the intestinal junction.
Other risk factors include:
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How Much Bone Broth To Drink For Leaky Gut
As we mentioned, bone broth has been studied for its anti-inflammatory power, which may translate to a healthier gut and smoother digestion. Plus, as we review, collagen, which is found in bone broth, can also help strengthen the lining of the GI tract to protect developing what’s known as a leaky gut. Bone broth is a comforting, calming delicious way to help heal your gut.
Drinking two cups of bone broth per day, along with anti-inflammatory foods and natural herbs and spices should go a long way to help support a healthy gut.
Did you know your favorite furry friend can also get all the benefits of bone broth too? Check out this review of the best store bought bone broth for dogs.
How To Include Bone Broth In Your Diet
While some people enjoy drinking their bone broth heated and straight up to be out of a mug I know it isnt appetizing for everyone, especially if you are wanting a few cups a day! The good news is I have a few creative ideas for you on how to get bone broth in your diet, these also work great for the whole family!
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It May Protect The Joints
Bone broth is a source of gelatin, which may break down into collagen in the body. This is especially important in the joints.
Cartilage in the joints tends to wear down or shrink through continual use. This can add more stress to the joints, which may become damaged as a result of the added pressure.
A 2017 review that appears in the journal Sports Medicine suggests that both laboratory and animal studies show that gelatin supplementation increases the amount of collagen in the tissues. This may help protect the joints from unnecessary stress.
Consuming bone broth may be a good way to add gelatin to the diet, which may help protect these joints.
Bone Broth To Heal Leaky Gut And Other Ailments
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You know that feeling when your stomach feels so full you think it may burst, like if you took another bite of food you may just puke? Or your stomach starts to gurgle and growl after eating a huge holiday meal? What you are experiencing is leaky gut syndrome.
The information contained on this website is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.
So What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
I am sure many do not even know what leaky gut syndrome is. I didnt until I began my research on bone broth. Leaky gut is when your intestines become permeable. The lining in your gut or intestines thins, allowing bacteria in and vital nutrients out. Additionally, these pathogens or bacteria are not being dispensed correctly . Instead they are entering your bloodstream via the thin lining in your intestines. This may cause you to feel ill and can be a contribute to other health related complications .
How Do you Know If You Have Leaky Gut?
So what do you look for when trying to discover if you cold be suffering from leaky gut? Listed below are a few of the signs or symptons.
- bloating
- fatigue
- food allergies
Other illnesses are also a possible sign that you are suffering from leaky gut. These include, but I am sure are not limited to, autoimmune disorders, such as celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes.
Is Bone Broth the Cure?
How Do You Make Bone Broth?
Happy Healing!!!
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Beef Bone Broth Recipes
I have made many different types of Beef Bone Broth recipes over the years.
If you want the truth, the Beef Bone Broth recipe might be my favorite. And I think its strictly due to the beef bones.
If you get them high-quality, the broth naturally will provide full flavor.
The secret to incredible beef bone broth is the gel.
Seriously. It looks so gross when cooled because the gel clumps together to form a cloud-like cap on top of the broth.
But this is where the healing powers lie. That gel is collagen which forms gelatin when its cooked down even further.
If youre interested in more information around collagen and gelatin, I have a whole post for you on them HERE.