Is Kettle and Fire a Good Source of Collagen?

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

According to a 2019 study, the collagen content in bone broth can vary significantly depending on preparation, leading many to question its reliability as a primary source. We dive deep into whether Kettle and Fire, a popular bone broth brand, offers a genuinely good source of collagen for your health and wellness goals.

Quick Summary

Kettle and Fire bone broth provides naturally occurring, food-based collagen alongside other valuable nutrients like amino acids and minerals. However, its collagen content is generally lower per serving than hydrolyzed supplements, making it less concentrated for targeted therapeutic effects. Its appeal is rooted in offering holistic nutrition from a whole food source.

Key Points

Natural Collagen Source: Kettle and Fire bone broth contains naturally occurring collagen derived from slow-simmering grass-fed or free-range bones.
Lower Concentration Than Supplements: The collagen dose per serving is generally lower than concentrated, hydrolyzed supplements, making it less ideal for high-dosage therapeutic applications.
Holistic Nutrient Profile: Beyond collagen, the broth offers a wider range of nutrients, including amino acids, minerals, and gelatin, which support general wellness and gut health.
Absorption Varies: As a whole food, the body must break down the collagen, which can affect the absorption rate differently than pre-digested collagen peptides found in supplements.
High-Quality Ingredients: Kettle and Fire emphasizes using organic ingredients and grass-fed bones, appealing to consumers looking for clean, natural food sources without additives.
Best for Foundational Health: The broth is well-suited for supporting foundational health, digestion, and providing amino acids, rather than as a single-solution remedy for specific conditions.
Potential for Higher Sodium: Some pre-made broths, including some varieties of Kettle and Fire, can contain notable amounts of sodium, which is a consideration for those monitoring their intake.
Safe Alternative to Some Supplements: For consumers concerned about the heavy metal contamination found in some unregulated collagen supplements, Kettle and Fire offers a natural and transparent alternative.

Kettle and Fire: Unpacking the Collagen Claim

Kettle and Fire has positioned itself as a premium, high-quality bone broth brand, often highlighting its natural collagen content. Made by slow-simmering grass-fed bones for 14-24 hours, the process naturally extracts protein, gelatin, and amino acids. The company's beef broth can contain up to 7 grams of collagen per serving, while chicken offers slightly less. This provides a convenient, savory way to increase your intake of the amino acid building blocks that your body uses to create its own collagen.

The Allure of a Whole Food Source

One of the main arguments for using bone broth like Kettle and Fire is that it represents a "whole food" source of collagen, unlike the highly processed nature of most collagen peptides. Proponents suggest that consuming collagen this way provides a broader spectrum of nutrients that work synergistically. Bone broth contains additional beneficial compounds such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid, which are great for joint health. While supplements isolate hydrolyzed collagen peptides for better absorption, Kettle and Fire bone broth delivers a more complete nutritional profile, making it a viable addition to a balanced diet.

The Concentration vs. Absorption Debate

However, it is crucial to understand the difference between the collagen found in bone broth and that in supplements. Supplements often use a hydrolyzed form of collagen that is broken down into smaller, more easily absorbed peptides, which may offer more targeted benefits. For bone broth, your body must break down the larger, whole-food collagen into amino acids before using them, which can impact overall absorption and effect. Some research suggests that whole-food collagen may not be as effective for targeted results as concentrated, hydrolyzed supplements.

Comparing Kettle and Fire to Supplements


Feature	Kettle and Fire Bone Broth	Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides	Comparison Notes
Collagen Content	Varies by product (e.g., 7g beef, 4g chicken per serving)	Standardized and concentrated (e.g., 10-20g per serving)	Supplements offer a much more concentrated dose per serving.
Nutrient Profile	Broader; includes minerals, amino acids, gelatin	Primarily isolated collagen peptides	Bone broth provides a more holistic nutritional package.
Bioavailability	Depends on individual digestion; whole-food form	High; peptides are easily absorbed	Supplements may be better for targeted, maximum absorption.
Processing	Minimally processed; slow-simmered	Highly processed using enzymes	A key difference for consumers prioritizing whole foods over isolated nutrients.
Purpose	Overall wellness, gut health, foundational nutrition	Targeted benefits (skin, joints), muscle synthesis	Your health goals will determine which option is more suitable.

Who is Kettle and Fire a good source of collagen for?

Kettle and Fire is an excellent choice for individuals who want to take a more holistic, food-based approach to nutrition. It's ideal for those focused on general wellness, gut health, and who appreciate a product made from high-quality, whole ingredients. The additional amino acids like glycine also offer benefits for calmness and sleep. However, for someone seeking a specific therapeutic dose for a targeted outcome, such as significantly reducing wrinkles or alleviating joint pain, a more concentrated supplement might be a more direct and efficient option. It is also a good, natural alternative for those wary of the potential heavy metal contamination found in some unregulated collagen supplements.

Conclusion: A Nutrient-Dense Addition, Not a Cure-All

In conclusion, Kettle and Fire is a good source of natural, food-based collagen, but it is not a high-potency, targeted supplement. The company’s long simmering process extracts valuable protein and amino acids, and it offers the added benefit of a more complete nutritional profile than isolated supplements. As part of a balanced and healthy diet, it can contribute to overall well-being, including skin, joint, and gut health. However, expectations for dramatic, targeted results should be moderated. For a comprehensive approach, combining a healthy, varied diet with strategic supplementation, if desired, may offer the most benefit. Consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best strategy for your specific health goals.

Explore the benefits and differences of bone broth vs. collagen supplements

Frequently Asked Questions

The collagen content varies by product. For example, Kettle and Fire's beef bone broth contains around 7 grams of collagen per serving, while the standard chicken broth has about 4 grams. Other varieties have different amounts, so checking the nutrition label is recommended.

Supplements often contain hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which are broken down for easier and more efficient absorption by the body. The collagen in bone broth is in a whole-food form, meaning your body must do the work of breaking it down, which can result in lower or less targeted absorption compared to supplements.

Yes, Kettle and Fire bone broth contains collagen and other compounds like gelatin, glycine, and proline, which support the body's natural functions related to joint cushioning, skin elasticity, and muscle recovery. While not a miracle cure, it contributes to overall wellness that benefits skin and joint health.

While bone broth provides collagen, the concentration is lower than in targeted supplements. Relying on bone broth alone may not provide a high enough therapeutic dose to achieve specific outcomes like significantly reducing wrinkles. A balanced diet and potentially a combination of sources are often recommended.

Yes, Kettle and Fire is often marketed as a safer, natural alternative. Third-party testing by ConsumerLab.com found that Kettle and Fire bone broth did not exceed acceptable limits for lead, cadmium, and arsenic, which can be a concern with some unregulated supplements.

Kettle and Fire uses a slow-simmering process (14-24 hours) with high-collagen content bones, such as knuckle and patella, sourced from grass-fed and free-range animals. This long extraction time helps release a substantial amount of nutrients and collagen into the broth.

The primary appeal is its provision of a 'whole food' source of collagen and other co-factors, which many people prefer over isolated supplements. The broth is also favored for general gut health support and overall wellness.