Broth has been made for centuries as a comfort food but also to heal our bodies. Each cup of broth is full of collagen, amino acids and minerals that contribute to a healthier living. The cooking time (typically a minimum of 24 hours) helps break down the bones and connective tissue, resulting in a collagen and mineral rich broth that is easily digested and absorbed by your body.
Bone broth is low in calories. It helps curb cravings for sugar, which is bad for the skin because it causes glycation, destroying collagen and elastin fibres and leading to premature ageing and elastosis.
COLLAGEN
Referred to as the “glue” that holds our cells together, collagen is our main structural protein that makes up our connective tissues. Collagen works together with elastin (another structural protein) to maintain connective tissue flexibility or elasticity. Collagen is destroyed by inflammatory processes, hence the need to feed the body with collagen.
GELATIN (THE BREAKDOWN OF COLLAGEN)
Gelatin was one of the first functional foods, used as a medical treatment in ancient China and, as found in bone broth, is the ideal way to increase and feed the collagen in the body. In a warm liquid form it lends itself to easy digestion, and is generally well tolerated in people with gastrointestinal conditions and food sensitivities. Gelatin provides bone-building minerals in easily absorbable ways, preventing bone loss and reducing joint pain. It may also help with inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, IBS and autoimmune disorders.
MINERALS
As a result of soil degradation, the mineral content of our foods is reduced, and many of us have compromised absorption due to poor gut health. Yet minerals are critical to so many bodily functions and impact everything from our bones to our mood and our sleep. Supplying magnesium, potassium, silicon, sulfur and phosphorous, bone broth provides an excellent means of boosting your mineral intake, and thus help heal the digestive system and prevent insomnia, fatigue and anxiety.
AMINO-ACIDS
Gelatin in bone broths contains “conditional” amino acids arginine, glycine, glutamine and proline. These amino acids also have healing properties. For example, glycine helps detoxify the body of chemicals and acts as antioxidant; it is also a neurotransmitter that improves sleep and improves memory and performance. Proline helps regenerate cartilage and heal joints; it also reduces cellulite and makes skin suppler.