Bone Broth is the new cool drink on the block. Our ancestors knew all about the virtues of bone broth; they relied on it for sustenance. Bone broth is the broth made from simmering the bones of animals, choose from chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, fish, etc. Throw in some chicken feet, beef knuckles, ribs, trachea for extra cartilaginous properties. Cover the bones with water, bring it to a boil then turn down until it is simmering. For best results, cook bones for at least 24 hours and throw a tbsp or two of vinegar in when you first start cooking. This way you extract more minerals from the bone. Throwing bones into your slow cooker makes the process even easier- you can turn it on low, cover the bones with water, add vinegar and vegetable scraps like carrot, celery, zucchini, onions, garlic and seasoning if desired. Come back in 24 or 48 hours and your broth is ready to drink. Simmering for such a long time will also produce gelatin from collagen extracted from the bones.
Bone broth is said to tonify the blood. Because of its rich mineral content (calcium, phosphorus) as well as magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfate that are readily absorb-able, make it a nutrient rich broth. The cartilage components include chondroitin sulfate, keratin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. These glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) are important for tissue repair and provide the nutrients are skeleton needs for support. It has been said that bone broth is healing for those that suffer from arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, decreased immune status and malnutrition.
The gelatin in bone broth protects and heals the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract. It is helpful in treating leaky gut syndrome which is at the basis of many chronic health conditions that we face today including autoimmune disease. Gelatin is thought to increase the digestibility of other proteins. Glycine is the main amino acid in gelatin. Bone broth is believed to improve body weight and bone mineral density as well as reduction of muscle wasting. Used to assist healing of food allergies, maldigestion (too much acid or low acid), osteoporosis, dental degeneration, poor wound healing and many other chronic states of dis-ease, bone broth taken daily, 2 cups, can assist in boosting minerals and repair of connective tissue. I am hoping that bone broth will be on tap at local hipster cafe’s soon!! Until then, make your own and report back to me, how it was…
Reference: Traditional Bone Broth in Modern Health and Disease, Allison Siebecker, Townsend Letter, Feb./Mar. 2005