Is there a lot of glutamine in bone broth?

November 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Bone broth is often celebrated for its nutrient-rich profile, but many wonder if it's a significant source of a specific amino acid. The short answer is yes, there is a lot of glutamine in bone broth, thanks to the slow simmering process that extracts valuable compounds from bones and connective tissues. This makes it a popular dietary inclusion for those focused on gut health and overall wellness.

Quick Summary

Bone broth is considered a valuable source of the amino acid glutamine, an essential nutrient for gut health and immune function. The simmering process releases glutamine from bones and connective tissues, but concentration can vary. While beneficial, a glutamine supplement may be necessary for therapeutic dosages, especially in cases of stress or illness.

Key Points

Rich in Glutamine: Bone broth is a natural and valuable source of the amino acid glutamine, extracted from bones and connective tissues during a slow simmer.
Supports Gut Health: Glutamine in bone broth fuels the cells lining the intestines, helping to maintain the intestinal barrier and promoting overall gut health.
Concentration Varies: The actual amount of glutamine in bone broth can fluctuate based on factors like simmering time and bone quality, making dosage less consistent than supplements.
Food vs. Supplements: For therapeutic doses needed for intense exercise or illness, a targeted L-glutamine supplement may be more reliable than relying solely on bone broth.
Immune System Support: Glutamine is a crucial energy source for immune cells, and bone broth's content of this amino acid supports a healthy immune system.
Other Nutrient Sources: While bone broth is an excellent option, other foods like meat, dairy, eggs, and certain vegetables also provide glutamine.

Understanding Glutamine in Bone Broth

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the human body, playing critical roles in gut function, immune support, and muscle repair. When we get sick, injured, or experience high levels of stress, the body's demand for glutamine increases, and it becomes a "conditionally essential" amino acid. Bone broth has garnered attention as a natural, whole-food source of this important nutrient. The preparation method is key to its glutamine content. Slow simmering of animal bones, marrow, and connective tissue, often with an acidic ingredient like apple cider vinegar, helps to draw out amino acids, including glutamine.

The amino acids found in bone broth are primarily derived from the breakdown of collagen and gelatin, which are abundant in the connective tissues of animals. While bone broth contains a medley of beneficial amino acids like glycine and proline, glutamine stands out for its specific benefits related to intestinal health. It provides fuel for the cells lining the gut, helping to maintain the integrity of the intestinal barrier and potentially alleviating symptoms of conditions like leaky gut syndrome.

The Varied Glutamine Content of Bone Broth

It is important to understand that the amount of glutamine in a single serving of bone broth is not standardized. Several factors influence the final concentration, including:

Quality of bones: Bones from pasture-raised, healthy animals may yield a more nutrient-dense broth.
Simmering time: A longer, slower simmer (24-48 hours) is generally believed to extract more nutrients.
Added ingredients: Vegetables and herbs can contribute to the nutritional profile but may dilute the concentration of glutamine.

For those seeking a guaranteed, therapeutic dose of glutamine for specific health concerns, relying on bone broth alone can be unpredictable. This is where the distinction between food sources and supplements becomes crucial. Bone broth is a nourishing food that offers a broad spectrum of nutrients in easily digestible form, whereas a targeted supplement delivers a specific, concentrated dose of the amino acid.

Is Bone Broth Enough? Comparing Sources

While bone broth provides a valuable amount of glutamine and other amino acids, it's not the only food source. Protein-rich foods like meat, eggs, and dairy, as well as some plant-based options like tofu and cabbage, also contain glutamine. The decision to use bone broth or a supplement depends on individual health goals and needs.

Bone Broth vs. Glutamine Supplements


Feature	Bone Broth	L-Glutamine Supplement
Source	Animal bones and connective tissue	Isolated amino acid powder or capsules
Nutrient Profile	Broad spectrum of amino acids, minerals (calcium, magnesium), collagen, and electrolytes.	Concentrated, single nutrient source.
Dosage	Varies widely based on ingredients and preparation.	Precisely measured, therapeutic dose.
Purpose	General nutritional support, gut healing, joint health.	Targeted treatment for specific conditions (e.g., GI issues, muscle recovery).
Taste	Flavorful and savory, can be used in cooking.	Generally tasteless powder to be mixed into liquids.

For general wellness and to support a healthy gut, regular consumption of bone broth can be highly beneficial. For individuals with specific conditions, like severe inflammatory bowel disease or those recovering from intense workouts, a high-dose supplement may be more appropriate and effective. It's always best to consult a healthcare practitioner before starting any new supplement regimen.

The Role of Glutamine in Gut Health and Beyond

Glutamine's impact on the body extends far beyond just building proteins. Its role as a primary energy source for immune cells and intestinal cells makes it vital for a robust immune system and a healthy gut lining. It helps seal the intestinal barrier, preventing undigested food particles from leaking into the bloodstream, a process associated with a range of inflammatory conditions.

Beyond the gut, glutamine aids in detoxification by helping to remove excess ammonia from the body and supports cognitive function by acting as a precursor to important neurotransmitters. Its ability to promote muscle recovery after strenuous exercise makes it a popular supplement for athletes, as it helps replenish depleted stores and supports protein synthesis. The synergistic combination of glutamine, collagen, and other nutrients in bone broth offers a holistic approach to wellness.

A Note on Quality

Not all bone broths are created equal. Commercially produced broths can vary significantly in quality and nutritional content. To ensure you are getting a high-quality product, look for brands that use bones from organic, pasture-raised animals and avoid those with artificial additives or excessive sodium. Alternatively, making your own bone broth at home gives you complete control over the ingredients and simmering process, maximizing the nutrient extraction, including glutamine.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bone broth is indeed a good source of glutamine, offering a natural and holistic way to consume this important amino acid. While the concentration can vary, it provides a valuable mix of nutrients that support gut health, immunity, and overall wellness. For general health maintenance, incorporating high-quality bone broth into your diet is a simple and delicious strategy. However, if you are looking to address specific therapeutic needs, a concentrated L-glutamine supplement may offer a more precise dosage. Ultimately, the choice between bone broth and supplements depends on your individual health objectives and dietary preferences.

Sources

Glutamine Benefits (with List of Food & Supplement Guidelines) - Tua Saúde
L - Glutamine Benefits for Gut Healing & Best Natural Food Sources - Nikki Yelton
Bone Broth Benefits: How Its Nutrients Fortify Gut Barrier in ... - National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov)
Amino acid content of beef, chicken, and turkey bone broth - Westmont College
Health Benefits of Glutamine - WebMD
Dietary Sources Of Glutamine - Protein Works
What Is Bone Broth, and What Are the Benefits? - Healthline

Frequently Asked Questions

Glutamine is an amino acid that plays a vital role in protein synthesis, immune cell function, and gut health. It becomes conditionally essential during times of stress, illness, or injury, meaning the body needs more than it can produce naturally.

Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue for an extended period. This slow cooking process breaks down collagen and gelatin, releasing amino acids like glutamine into the broth.

The glutamine content is not drastically different between beef and chicken bone broth, as the concentration depends more on the simmering time and overall quality of ingredients. Both are good sources of glutamine.

Bone broth is a nourishing food source of glutamine, but for specific therapeutic dosages, a concentrated supplement is more reliable and predictable. For general wellness, bone broth can be a beneficial part of your diet.

Glutamine supports gut health by nourishing the intestinal lining, bolstering the immune system, and aiding in muscle recovery. It is particularly beneficial for gut healing and reducing inflammation.

Yes, many foods are rich in glutamine, including meat (beef, chicken, fish), dairy products (milk, yogurt, eggs), and plant-based sources like tofu, cabbage, and spinach.

Making your own bone broth allows for control over ingredient quality and simmering time, which can maximize the extraction of nutrients like glutamine. However, high-quality commercially available broths can also be a good option.