Is Eating Bones Good for Your Body? A Detailed Look at Benefits and Risks

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

Globally, cultures have used animal bones for thousands of years to create nutrient-dense foods like broths and soups. But is eating bones good for your body, and is it safe to do so directly? The short answer is yes, but only when prepared correctly, as consuming solid, unprocessed bone fragments is incredibly dangerous.

Quick Summary

Examines the health benefits and potential dangers of consuming animal bones. Focuses on safe methods like bone broth and marrow, highlighting their nutritional value, while warning against the risks associated with ingesting cooked or solid bone fragments.

Key Points

Benefit from Extraction, Not Ingestion: The nutritional value of bones for humans comes from extracting nutrients through cooking, not by eating solid bone pieces.
Bone Broth is the Safest Method: Long-simmering bones into broth releases beneficial minerals and collagen in a form safe for consumption.
Marrow is a Nutrient-Dense Source: The fatty tissue inside bones, or marrow, is a safe, delicious source of healthy fats, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory compounds when cooked.
Solid, Cooked Bones are a Health Hazard: Ingesting solid, cooked bones can lead to splintering, choking, and severe internal injuries like bowel perforation.
Consider Heavy Metal Contamination: Homemade broths and bone meal supplements can carry risks of heavy metal contamination, such as lead, depending on the source.
Use an Acid for Extraction: Including apple cider vinegar during broth preparation helps draw out more minerals from the bones.
Source Bones Carefully: To maximize safety and nutrients, use bones from healthy, preferably grass-fed animals.

The Nutritious Side of Consuming Bones

For humans, the benefit of consuming bones does not come from gnawing on a cooked, solid bone like a carnivore. Instead, the nutritional value is extracted through specific cooking methods that make the compounds accessible and safe for human digestion. These methods allow us to access the rich store of minerals, amino acids, and other beneficial compounds locked inside.

Bone Broth: A Nutrient-Dense Liquid

One of the most popular and safest ways to benefit from bones is by making bone broth. This is done by simmering animal bones, often with an acid like apple cider vinegar, for a long period of time. This process leaches valuable nutrients into the liquid, creating a flavorful and healthful stock.

Rich in Minerals: Bone broth is a great source of bioavailable calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and other trace minerals essential for healthy bones and teeth.
Collagen and Gelatin: The simmering process breaks down collagen from bones and connective tissues, which turns into gelatin. This is beneficial for joint health and gut lining integrity.
Amino Acids: The broth provides amino acids like glycine and proline, which help reduce inflammation and support overall bodily function.

Bone Marrow: A Culinary Delicacy

Bone marrow, the spongy tissue found inside bones, is considered a delicacy in many cuisines and is also a nutritional powerhouse.

Healthy Fats and Vitamins: Marrow is rich in healthy fats, vitamin A, vitamin K, and essential fatty acids, including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has anti-inflammatory properties.
Immune Support: It contains compounds that help regulate immune function and decrease inflammation.
Joint Health: Marrow also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, compounds known to support joint health.

The Serious Dangers of Eating Solid Bones

While extracting nutrients from bones can be beneficial, it is crucial to understand the risks of consuming solid bone pieces. The human digestive system is not equipped to process hard bone matter, and doing so can lead to severe and life-threatening consequences.

Ingestion Risks of Cooked Bones

Cooked bones, especially poultry bones, become brittle and are prone to splintering into sharp, dangerous fragments.

Choking: Bone fragments can become lodged in the throat, posing a serious choking hazard.
Internal Injuries: Sharp splinters can tear the mouth, esophagus, or stomach lining.
Bowel Perforation and Obstruction: The most severe risk is a bone fragment perforating the intestine or causing a blockage, which can lead to infection, peritonitis, and, in some cases, death. This can require emergency surgery to resolve.

Uncontrolled Heavy Metal Contamination

Bones can accumulate heavy metals like lead over an animal's lifetime. While some studies show minimal risk from bone broth, others have found higher lead levels. Commercial products may be tested for safety, but homemade broth or ground bone can have variable and potentially high concentrations of lead and other contaminants, depending on the source.

Comparison: Methods of Bone Consumption


Feature	Bone Broth (Simmered)	Bone Marrow (Cooked)	Solid Bone Pieces (Cooked)
Nutrient Extraction	High; prolonged simmering draws out minerals, collagen, and amino acids.	High; the marrow is a concentrated source of fats and vitamins.	Low; nutrients are not easily extracted by human digestion.
Physical Safety Risk	Very Low; the final liquid is strained and does not contain solids.	Low; the soft, fatty marrow is safely consumed after cooking.	Very High; cooked bones splinter into sharp, dangerous fragments.
Preparation Complexity	Medium to High; requires long simmering times but is mostly hands-off.	Low; typically roasted in the oven for a short time.	None; simply chewing on the bone left from a meal, which is extremely unsafe.
Heavy Metal Risk	Possible, but variable depending on bone source.	Low to Possible, but often considered safer than long-simmered broth.	Variable; depends on the animal's lifetime exposure.

Safely Incorporating Bone Nutrients into Your Diet

For those interested in the potential nutritional benefits, there are several ways to incorporate the goodness of bones into your diet safely. The key is to avoid ingesting solid bone matter altogether.

Making Homemade Bone Broth

Simmering bones for 12 to 48 hours is a traditional, safe method. Always add an acidic element, such as apple cider vinegar, to the water to help extract the minerals effectively. Strain the liquid thoroughly before consumption to ensure no solid fragments remain.

Roasting and Eating Marrow

For a simpler approach, you can roast marrow bones until the rich, buttery marrow is cooked through. It can then be scooped out and spread on toast or added to other dishes. This is a safe and delicious way to get a concentrated dose of healthy fats and nutrients.

Using Ground Bone Meal (with Caution)

Some opt for bone meal supplements, which are ground animal bones. While this offers a convenient source of calcium, it's essential to source high-quality, third-party tested products. Some studies have noted that bone meal can contain elevated levels of lead. Choosing a refined calcium supplement, like calcium carbonate, is a safer alternative.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Eating Bones

While the concept of eating bones might sound primal, the modern approach to reaping their benefits involves careful preparation to ensure safety. Directly ingesting solid, cooked bones is dangerous due to the risk of splintering, perforation, and other internal injuries. However, when prepared correctly as nutrient-rich bone broth or as a source of delicious bone marrow, bones can contribute valuable minerals, collagen, and other compounds to a healthy diet. The key takeaway is to focus on extracting the nutrients rather than consuming the bone itself. For anyone with health concerns, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes. For more detailed information on nutrient extraction from bones, visit the Precision Nutrition Encyclopedia of Food on Bones.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, unlike some carnivores, humans cannot safely eat solid bones. The human digestive system is not equipped to break down hard bone matter, and cooked bones are especially dangerous as they can splinter and cause internal damage.

Yes, simmering bones in an acidic solution for an extended period releases minerals, including calcium, into the broth in a bioavailable form that is easily absorbed by the body.

Cooked chicken bones are brittle and can splinter easily. The biggest dangers include choking, tearing of the digestive tract, and potentially life-threatening bowel obstruction or perforation.

Yes, bone marrow is considered a safe and healthy delicacy when cooked properly. It is rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that support joint health and reduce inflammation.

While bone meal is a source of calcium, it carries risks of heavy metal contamination, particularly lead. Safer alternatives, such as refined calcium carbonate, are widely available.

Yes, bone broth contains collagen, which breaks down into gelatin during the long cooking process. Consuming this can be beneficial for joint health and the gut lining.

To maximize nutrient extraction, use an acidic ingredient like apple cider vinegar and simmer the bones for an extended period, such as 12 to 48 hours. Roasting the bones first can also enhance flavor.