What’s Missing From Your Diet? The Answer is Bone Broth

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By: Matthew Albertson

In 2022, the average American diet is far below normal health standards. For starters, many Americans eat a lot of fast food. It was determined that one in four of us consume fast food daily. In a year, the average American may eat roughly 3 pounds of sugar each week, totaling around 130 pounds annually and around 58% of an average American’s calories will come from processed foods every single day.

This problem has been growing consistently in the US and has led to a staggering number of health issues and obesity rates in society. I myself am guilty of these statistics. As a college student, and like many others, it can be hard to take the time to buy high-quality grocery foods and then take time to cook meals for yourself every single day. The harsh reality is that it’s so easy for us to drive to a local Wendys or Chick-Fil-A and get our food that way.

One of the biggest problems we face from this is a lack of nutrition. When talking about nutrition, the most common and sought-after foods are whole foods. The average American diet doesn’t contain enough plants. A study found that 9% of Americans reached the recommended intake of vegetables, and 13% met the recommendation for fruits. This tells us that people don’t like eating their fruits and veggies. However, many of us don’t realize another easy way to consume a vast amount of nutrients other than fruits and veggies. The answer is Bone Broth.

Bone Broth has been becoming increasingly popular in the kitchen over the past 3-4 years, however, it’s not a new health trend. The consumption of different types of bone broth has been around for thousands of years dating as far back as prehistory. From chicken soup to beef stew, bone broths were a staple of traditional diets in nearly every culture.

What is bone broth and what makes it so special? Bone broth, or stock, is made from boiling and then simmering bones, organs, marrow, ligaments, cartilage, and feet over a couple of days. Most recipes use an acid such as apple cider vinegar to help these components break down. The slow simmer causes the bones and other components to release a wide range of healing compounds that we don’t normally get in our day-to-day diet. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, the result is a tasty and nourishing alternative to traditional foods.

Let’s wind back the clocks to the pre-industrial era. Back then, our farming and eating habits were way different than what we are commonly used to seeing today. In the 21st century, it’s way less common to see people using the entirety of the animal for consumption. We have strayed from our traditional cooking techniques.

Combined with unhealthy eating habits, many of us are severely deprived of nutrients that keep us healthy. Those nutrients are Gelatin, Chondroitin, Collagen, Proline, and Glycine. All of which can be found in bone broth. But that’s not all. According to the researchers at the Weston A. Price Foundation, bone broth also contains minerals that are easily absorbed by your body.

Normally your body has a tough time getting minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, and phosphorus. In bone broth, however, these minerals are readily absorbed by your digestive system. With all the nutrients found in bone broth, it makes perfect sense that it delivers some impressive health benefits.

There are many proven healthy pros of bone broth consumption. First, it heals the gut. Between the pesticides in our food, overuse of antibiotics, and chemicals in processed foods, our gut is under attack more than ever. Luckily, the gelatin found in bone broth is fantastic for healing the gut. Gelatin heals the gut by repairing the intestinal lining and reducing inflammation caused by gut-related disease and food sensitivities.

Bone broth boosts the immune system. There’s a reason why your grandma always says to eat chicken noodle soup when you get sick. Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center were curious if there was any truth behind the immune system and chicken soup connection. To their surprise, they discovered that the amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, found in chicken broth could reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and boost the immune system. In other words, bone broth can help you feel better and fight illness.

Bone broth keeps your skin looking healthy and young. Collagen is a protein your body uses extensively to keep your skin healthy. Without it, our skin would gradually lose elasticity and its healthy color. In other words, you would look older. Normally our body can produce enough collagen to keep our skin healthy and wrinkle-free. However, once you reach your 20th birthday, your collagen production drops about 1% each year resulting in skin aging. The good news is bone broth is packed with collagen. And since most of us don’t eat collagen-rich foods, it makes bone broth the perfect remedy for aging skin.

Bone broth is far from a miracle cure to all health problems, but it certainly provides amazing benefits to those who consume it regularly with their diet. I have been drinking bone broth for over a year now and can definitely testify to the amazing effects it has on the body. Consider buying some the next you go out shopping. It’s easier and tastier than common fruits and veggies. And it’s also healthier for your wallet especially when you make it at home. I would definitely recommend it.