Bone broth has recently become the superfood of the year. While the broth was virtually unheard of by anyone except cooks working in fancy restaurants up until recently, it has now become a staple in the homes of many health-conscious adults. Because the demand for bone broth cropped up out of nowhere and health food stores have had to attempt to stock the broth at a very fast pace, there has been an attempt by some major food companies to develop commercial bone broth brands. These brands have generally failed in the customer satisfaction department, however, because they bare little resemblance to the rich, hearty broth that is produced when its made from scratch. Whether health food enthusiasts are looking for bone broth in a store or attempting to make it from scratch, they generally ask the same question before embarking on either journey. Is bone broth really an extraordinary food? Is it really going to provide the health benefits that make it worth the trouble? To answer these questions, it is necessary to discuss the history and unique character of bone broth.
History of Bone Broth
Bone broth is believed to have originated in ancient cultures where, when an animal was caught and cooked, little on the animal was thrown out. Ancient people would take the bones of animals and boil them down until they crumbled to make a hearty soup. This soup would be filled to the brim with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals found in the bones of animals. This soup proved to be extremely beneficial to ancient cultures and often kept entire groups of people from starving during scarcity.
Today, the benefits of bone broth are being newly rediscovered. The broth is made in much the same way as ancient people made it. The bones of animals, mostly chicken and beef, are slowly boiled for hours until they yield their hearty benefits. Modern people often add seasonings, herbs, and vegetables like onions to give the broth even more of a profound taste. This soup is great in the winter time and can be used as a base to a stew or can stand alone.
Benefits of Bone Broth
Many of the benefits of bone broth have been studied scientifically for the past several years. The daily consumption of bone broth has been shown to effectively heal a condition known as leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut syndrome develops when years of poor food consumption leads to tiny, microscopic holes being formed along the walls of the intestines. More and more of these holes develop over time in the intestine, causing it to become porous. While the gut lining is supposed to absorb nutrients from the food that we eat, leaky gut syndrome causes the lining to become compromised and allow nutrients to slip through the holes. This makes the absorption of important nutrients difficult or impossible. The regular consumption of bone broth works to seal the lining of the stomach with soothing, gelatinous minerals. In a dietary protocol known as the GAPS diet, health instructors advise their clients to drink only bone broth for two weeks to begin gut health. Following the two week period, other food is reintroduced along with the bone broth.
Where to Buy Bone Broth
In addition to healing leaky gut syndrome, bone broth has been shown to add collagen to the bones, hair, and skin, help with the recovery time after surgeries, heal torn ligaments and muscles, and cleanse the colon. Because it is so beneficial, people are often interested in finding out where to buy bone broth. Excellent versions of the homemade broth are slowly being introduced to the market and can be found at local Whole Foods Markets, and in online health food stores.