What does bone broth do for your body?
According to Sheppard Davenport, the short answer is yes, largely due to its various essential nutrients and enzymes that help us get through our day as efficiently and effectively as possible. While there’s no set list of the different benefits of bone broth (they all vary based on the type you’re consuming), here are some specific nutrients found in particular types of bone broths.
1. Fertilizers
As mentioned above, calcium can be an important part of a well-rounded diet in general, but too much of it can be toxic. To avoid this, most food companies add vitamin C to their products, which helps improve blood cholesterol levels, so it can actually promote weight loss.
However, because one nutrient alone cannot replace the lack of another, adding both calcium and vitamin C to your diet can be good enough to prevent or reduce side effects associated with eating foods high in only one nutrient. If you’re unsure about how to best take care of yourself, a health coach like her can help guide you.
Vitamin B6 can support healthy liver function and may contribute to improved mental performance, while vitamin K could potentially protect liver cells from damage and help reduce inflammation.
This combination of vitamins and minerals doesn’t just make up for other nutrients in the broth; they also have antioxidant activity, reducing oxidative stress in the body. They also contain amino acids such as arginine and lysine, which help maintain normal growth of tissues.
2. Supplements
Dry bones aren’t the only type of mineral deficiency that can be a source of concern for those who need supplements. For people with osteoporosis, calcium and protein deficiencies are a common problem. In fact, around 80% of women over the age of 50 are diagnosed with osteoporosis, an issue primarily linked to low levels of calcium and vitamin D.
The American College of Chest Physicians recommends supplementation with 500 mg of calcium daily for postmenopausal adults. For these reasons, people looking to supplement their diets should consider choosing a powder form.
With bone broth powders, you can find plenty of ingredients that will benefit you in numerous ways. As noted previously, this kind of product usually has several essential nutrients to serve your needs at once.
These include collagen peptides, which may have anti-inflammatory properties, plus antioxidants and vitamins C and E. Plus, the flavors and aromas in the powders are very appealing, making them convenient to ingest—especially if you’re working off multiple cups a day.
If you don’t want to go all out with dietary supplements, you can opt for whole foods such as salmon, chicken or beef bone broth. Both options contain the same amount of essential nutrients as powdered bones, so you won’t miss out on any of the important components of the meal.
Additionally, if you’re looking to try taking in a healthy dose of vitamin K, the fish is rich in it. Aside from the variety of sources, dry bones also provide beneficial enzymes. Without the additives of powder, bone broth powders aren’t quite as effective at providing these nutrients as they would be from whole animal bone broth, but they still do contain significant amounts.
3. Nutrients That Support Digestion
Another reason why regular consumption of bone broth is ideal for helping with digestion is because it is loaded with the necessary minerals to aid digestion. Zinc and calcium are especially important in this regard, according to experts.
Calcium provides strong support for the gut by increasing hydroxychloric acid secretion and decreasing gastric motility and intestinal permeability,” explains Dr. Davenport. Calcium is also needed to help digest the carbohydrates in bone broth, but most of this occurs naturally in meat (not surprisingly since the broth originates from animals). Iron plays a crucial role in blood clotting and transporting oxygen in our bodies.
Iron’s functions range from supporting red blood cell production in the marrow and protecting against hemolysis in the spleen to regulating metabolism in the intestine and lungs in response to COVID-19 infection,” explains Dr. Davenport. “Since we are more likely to absorb less copper from animal sources, such as meat, bone broth is recommended,” adds Dr. Davis. Like vitamin B6, vitamin E is required for cellular functions, including energy production.
Vitamin K is an essential cofactor needed for hormones involved in cell division and mitotic protein synthesis. Together, these nutrients can aid digestion, so when consumed regularly they can provide long term benefits to your system.
4. Antioxidants
Bone broth can also offer some protection against oxidative stress caused by oxidants. High levels of reactive oxygen species in the bloodstream cause heart disease, cancer, stroke and neurological issues, among many other problems.
Most research suggests that bone broth can help reduce this risk in people who consume moderate amounts, depending on certain factors such as genetics. Other possible mechanisms can include calcium and zinc, which have been shown to increase antioxidant defenses throughout the body.
Because all the nutrients are located in the broth itself, their impact is immediately felt as soon as you eat, making it easier than other forms of nutrition to ensure adequate absorption.
5. Energy Booster
The main ingredient in bone broth is often liquid, specifically water, which makes it easy to drink throughout the day without having to think too hard about it. Although it has additional calories and sodium, it’s relatively inexpensive and readily available in most grocery stores, thus making it an accessible option for customers who could otherwise struggle to afford a meal.
Another bonus of drinking this is that it’s a great way to replenish electrolytes lost during exercise, as well as provide an extra boost of hydration (water and electrolytes are two of the biggest contributors to fatigue after exerting yourself strenuously). Along with flavor, the addition of electrolyte solutions like the ones listed below can be beneficial in a number of ways.
Calcium can help replenish electrolytes lost via sweat, while zinc can help increase blood flow for muscle contractions. Zinc has been shown to benefit mood and sleep patterns, and electrolytes like potassium can enhance overall stamina. All of these factors can play into increased productivity and overall effectiveness of every worker, whether you’re looking to gain a few days’ worth of work done over time, or you want to continue to feel sharp despite feeling a bit tired.
0 Comments