Protein is the basis for any great soup or stew. In order to make your soup or stew delicious, you need that rich, hearty “umami” flavor from beef, chicken, pork, turkey, fish, shrimp, and other proteins.
But did you know that the truly delicious flavors don’t come from the meat, but from the bones? The best soups and stew are made using beef bones, chicken bones, or turkey bones.
Fun fact: the bones also contain A LOT of nutritional value. Bone broth is packed with minerals and vital amino acids. If you want to be healthy, bone broth—made from beef, chicken, turkey, pork, or even fish bones—is definitely a food you want on your menu.
Why is that? Here are five reasons to start drinking bone broth:
Bone broth is rich in glycine, an amino acid that helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Glycine prevents the over-production of blood glucose in the liver, and it may even help to reduce the negative effects of over-consumption of fructose. Given that excessively high glucose levels can lead to diabetes (which can be very damaging to your heart), you can understand why it’s heart-smart!
But that’s not all bone broth does for your heart. It also helps to balance out the levels of methionine, an amino acid that can raise homocysteine levels. When homocysteine levels are elevated, they can lead to cardiovascular disease. For those consuming a diet high in animal protein, bone broth is a vital food to help control homocysteine levels.
Bone broth is rich in three important nutrients: collagen, keratin, and glycosaminoglycans.
Collagen is needed for healthy skin tissue, as it’s a protein that keeps your skin fresh, young, and taut (preventing wrinkles and sagging).
Keratin is needed for healthy hair, but it also plays a role in maintaining healthy skin.
Glycosaminoglycans are a complex carbohydrate that protects your skin, promotes cell proliferation, increases retinoic acid (which hydrates your skin), and speed up cellular turnover.
The combination of these three potent nutrients leads to much healthier, fresher, younger skin!
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Bone broth contains glycine, an amino acid that is vital for the production of myoglobin and hemoglobin, both of which transport oxygen through the cardiovascular system. Increasing the production of these two proteins can enhance oxygenation of the muscles and tissues.
Glycine also helps to increase levels of creatine, which raises anaerobic exercise capacity, enhances muscle repair, and stimulates the production of human growth hormone.
The magnesium and phosphorus present in bone broth can increase levels of ATP energy, the only type of energy your muscles can use to contract.
Bone broth is very effective for healing gut problems. Not only does the gelatin in bone broth help to maintain the layer of intestinal mucus that protects the inner lining of your intestines from bacteria, it also helps to balance gut bacteria and encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria.
The glycine in bone broth can help to reduce gut inflammation (a marker of digestive problems), and it can protect against gastric ulcers. The glutamine in bone broth will also improve the intestinal barrier, decreasing the risk of leaky gut syndrome.
The nutrients present in bone broth are excellent for the health of your bones and joints. Bone broth delivers a broad spectrum of bone-building minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Collagen can help to prevent osteoporosis, while the Vitamins C, D, and K2 present in bone broth will support the formation of new, healthy bone tissue.
The glycosaminoglycans are vital for healthy joints, as they provide lubrication that encourages a full range of motion. Collagen is also needed for the repair of damaged joint tissue, leading to a reduction in joint pain and stiffness.
As you can see, there are A LOT of good reasons to add bone broth to your diet!
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