Bone broth: typically made with bones and can contain a small amount of meat adhering to the bones. Bones are typically roasted first to improve the flavor of the bone broth. Bone broths are typically simmered for a very long period of time (often in excess of 24 hours), with the purpose being not only to produce gelatin from collagen-rich joints but also to release minerals from bones. At the end of cooking, the bones should crumble when pressed lightly between your thumb and forefinger.
I am still a newbie when it comes to bone broths and all the health benefits. I use to think that broth and stock is the same thing, but I recently discovered that there is a difference between stock (mainly made with meat) and broth (mainly made with bones). We’ve been making our own chicken stock (broth, actually) for a few years as all shop bought stock contains gluten or wheat and we followed a gluten free diet. To us, chicken stock was only another way to add flavour and body to our stews or soups. Since we changed over to a LCHF lifestyle, bone broth keeps on popping up everywhere. Everywhere I looked people were making bone broth and drinking it, and raving about all the healthy benefits this “magic potion” contains.
A few weeks ago we bought some bulk meat from a local market (whole lamb and beef hind quarter) and was left with a large about of beef and lamb bones. Normally I would just boil them a bit and spoil our dogs. But this time I though let me try and make bone broth and see…. We cooked two large batches of beef bone broth and I now replace my morning coffee with a cup of bone broth. It is currently summer in South Africa, so a hot drink is not always as enjoyable like on cold winter mornings but it is still hitting the spot.
SO, what is the fuss about? Why should we drink bone broth? Is it really as wonderful as people claim? So what are the health benefits of drinking bone broth daily? I found the following list of benefits
- Heals leaky gut
- Boost the Immune system
- Maintains healthy skin
- Assist with detoxification
- Protect your bones
Let look at the nutritional information for bones and the resulting broth. Bones contains protein (yes, believe it or not), collagen and gelatin. These building blocks help the human body to rebuild connective tissue like tendons and ligaments. This might seem insignificant but keep in mind our body is held together with tendons and ligaments. Without this the human body would be nothing more than a jelly blob.
Ladies always invest in all kinds of creams and lotions containing collagen to assist with “reducing the first signs of aging” – fine lines and wrinkles. And yes, we are willing to pay good money to buy products that claim it can assist with the reduction of these aging signs. When you consume bone broth you also consume collagen, and in a more “natural” state. Drinking bone broth with collagen will have the same (if not even better) results as trying to apply a lotion. The added benefit, making bone broth is much more economical as you can use any left-over bones or purchase marrow bones from your butcher.
It is said that the amino acids in bone broth can assist with inflammation in the body and especially in the gut and gut lining. It can also alleviate digestive problems associated with leaky gut syndrome like chronic diarrhea, and constipation. I can truly attest to the alleviation of constipation. In the last two weeks my constipation seems to be much better.
Bone broth also contains plenty of minerals like calcium, magnesium, silicon, Sulphur and phosphorus. You might say that your daily multivitamin tablet you take also contains all of the above, but the added benefit here is that it is in a form that your body can easily absorb. In turn these minerals assist both the body and liver with detoxification and increase the absorption of various nutrients.
Making bone broth (Recipes ) is so easy and you don’t need any cooking skills to prepare a large batch. You can play around with flavours you like and fine tune our recipe to something you will enjoy. You can use any bones, (chicken, lamb, beef) and it can either be left over from a meal or buy fresh bones from your butcher. Roast them add them to a large pot (or slow cooker), with water and some garlic, ginger, carrots and celery, and slowly cook them for 12 – 24 hours. Strain and store. What can be easier.
It seems that not everybody enjoys a cup of bone broth every day, some people don’t like the taste or even mouth feel. So if you can’t get yourself to drink a cup of bone broth daily, include it in your food. I use bone broth now instead of adding water to my stews, curries and even stir-fry. You will still get the health benefits from consuming it with other food. Go ahead, just try it. It will be worth it in the end.
References
For the love of...... 
One thought on “…..Bone broth”
Comments are closed.