Benefits of Bone Broth—And Vegan Alternatives

Benefits of Bone Broth And Vegan Alternatives

(AscendHealthy.com) – Many of us were raised to believe Grandma’s chicken soup could cure any and every ailment. Sorry, Grandma, but some bone broth believers say their concoctions win for health benefits.

For the past few years, bone broth has earned a reputation as the ultimate remedy. Claims range from strengthening our immune system to enhancing our hair. Not sure whether to dip your ladle in one of these soups? Learn about the potential benefits, as well as vegan alternatives, in the article below.

What’s In Bone Broth?

Preparing bone broth involves more than tossing a beef bone or chicken bone into a pot of boiling water. This liquid typically includes animal tissues, as well as fish, cow, or chicken bones. In addition, adding vinegar to the broth frees the marrow inside the bones and helps to dissolve the animal tissues.

Nutrients in bone broth include magnesium, calcium, iron, vitamins A and K, fatty acids, zinc, selenium, manganese, collagen, and gelatin. The exact amounts of these nutrients vary based on the bone and tissue type.

Some bone broth chefs like to add additional ingredients for taste and health. Those additions may include apple cider vinegar, chunks of vegetables, and seasonings like thyme, garlic, and parsley.

What Are the Benefits of Bone Broth?

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to shop for trendy bone broth we go. And whether we’re buying ingredients to make our own concoction or choosing a carton from the shelf, we may wonder if bone broth really lives up to all the hype.

The good news is that some of the claims about bone broth have research to support them. While bone broth does not strengthen our bones or magically firm up our skin and banish wrinkles, there are enough medically backed benefits to make bone broth worth trying:

  • Sleep: Bone broth contains amino acids, which research indicates may help us sleep.
  • Knee Pain: The gelatin and collagen in bone broth may ease knee pain and could even help with osteoarthritis.
  • Stomach Problems: One of the amino acids in bone broth called glutamine may improve stomach disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Anti-Inflammation: Another amino acid, glycine, may help with inflammation. It might also potentially lower our risk of diseases like cancer.
  • Weight Loss: Due to its high protein content, bone broth may help with taking off the pounds. In addition, low-calorie soups, such as bone broth, may satisfy our hunger, avoiding the temptation to cheat on our diets.

What Are Vegan Alternatives for Bone Broth?

For those of us who follow vegan or primarily plant-based diets, bone broth might seem like an item on our “skip it” list. But vegan alternatives do exist.

Here are some suggestions for creating a vegan bone broth, including the benefits of each ingredient:

  • Seaweed: Seaweed is high in iron, calcium, magnesium, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Mushrooms: Mushrooms like Shiitake boost our vitamin D, zinc, and B vitamin levels. Because they provide amino acids, these fungi also may improve our immune systems.
  • Olive Oil: This healthy fat is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease.
  • Dark Green Veggies: Vegetables like spinach and kale are high in antioxidants and low in calories.

Bone broth might sound like something Old Mother Hubbard would make if she found bones in her cupboard. This trendy soup, though, appears to live up to its hype. From helping us sleep to boosting our weight loss, the potential benefits may make this trend worth trying.

~Here’s to Your Healthy Ascension

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