What is the point of drinking bone broth for wellness?

December 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Bone broth has been a staple in traditional diets for millennia, revered for its nourishing properties. Today, its revival as a wellness trend has many asking: what is the point of drinking bone broth? It provides an easily digestible source of nutrients extracted from simmered bones and connective tissues.

Quick Summary

Bone broth offers a nutrient-dense liquid rich in amino acids, collagen, and minerals due to its long simmering time. Its potential benefits include supporting gut and joint health, providing high-quality protein, and aiding hydration.

Key Points

Nutrient-Dense Liquid: A long, slow simmer extracts bioavailable collagen, amino acids like glycine and glutamine, and trace minerals from bones and connective tissues.
Supports Gut Health: Gelatin and other compounds in bone broth may help maintain the health of the intestinal lining and support digestion.
Promotes Joint Comfort: The collagen content, which becomes gelatin when cooked, provides amino acids that can aid in joint tissue repair and potentially reduce pain from conditions like osteoarthritis.
Aids Hydration: Rich in electrolytes such as potassium and sodium, bone broth is a flavorful way to help maintain proper hydration, especially during illness or recovery.
High-Protein Option: Bone broth is a low-calorie, high-protein beverage that can contribute to feelings of fullness, supporting weight management goals.
Versatile and Soothing: Beyond its nutritional profile, bone broth can be a warm, soothing beverage or a flavorful base for a variety of soups and stews.

The Core Nutrients Extracted from Simmering Bones

For a long-simmering time, bone broth extracts essential nutrients from bones, marrow, and connective tissues that are easily absorbed by the body. While the exact composition varies by batch, a quality broth is rich in a few key components that drive its purported health benefits.

Gelatin and Collagen

When collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, is simmered for an extended period, it breaks down into gelatin. When a high-quality bone broth is chilled, it should become jiggly and gelatinous, a tell-tale sign of its collagen content. The body breaks down this gelatin into amino acids, which it can then use to build its own proteins.

Essential Amino Acids

Bone broth provides a number of amino acids critical for body function. Glycine is known for its role in promoting relaxation and better sleep. Glutamine is important for gut health, as it promotes the growth of cells that line the gut wall. Proline is another amino acid that supports the structure and function of connective tissues throughout the body.

Minerals and Electrolytes

During the simmering process, minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are released from the bones. While the amount can be modest, it contributes to overall mineral intake. Additionally, a good bone broth contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, which are important for nerve and muscle function and can aid in hydration.

Potential Health Benefits Explored

While more research is always needed, the nutrient profile of bone broth suggests a wide array of potential benefits that can support overall wellness.

Supporting Gut and Digestive Health

One of the most popular reasons for consuming bone broth is for its purported benefits to gut health. The gelatin and amino acids like glutamine can help support the integrity of the intestinal lining. For those with digestive issues, cooked-down broths and soups are often easier to digest than fibrous vegetables and tough proteins, giving the gut a gentle way to receive nutrients.

Promoting Joint Health

The components of bone broth, particularly gelatin and collagen, are important for connective tissues. The body uses the amino acids from these components to help repair tendons and ligaments. Studies on gelatin and collagen supplementation have shown promising results for reducing joint pain and stiffness associated with conditions like osteoarthritis. While the concentration in broth may be lower than in supplements, regular consumption can contribute to a diet supportive of joint health.

Aiding Weight Management and Muscle Maintenance

As a low-calorie but high-protein beverage, bone broth can help with weight management. The protein content promotes a feeling of fullness, which can help reduce overall calorie intake. The amino acids also support the building and repair of muscles, important for maintaining lean muscle mass, especially as we age.

Boosting Immunity and Hydration

The vitamins and minerals found in bone broth, such as zinc, support a healthy immune system. Furthermore, the high water content and electrolytes make it an excellent choice for staying hydrated, especially during illness or after physical activity. The calming effect of a warm beverage, combined with anti-inflammatory amino acids like glycine, also contributes to overall well-being during sickness.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Bone Broth

Choosing between homemade and store-bought bone broth depends on your priorities, but quality can vary significantly.


Feature	Homemade Bone Broth	Store-Bought Bone Broth
Nutritional Content	Content can vary based on ingredients and cook time, but is often more nutrient-dense when properly prepared.	Quality and nutrient levels vary widely; some contain minimal nutrients, while others are high-quality.
Ingredients	Full control over sourcing, bones, and additional flavorings like vegetables and herbs.	Can contain high levels of sodium, fillers, or artificial ingredients in lower-quality brands.
Flavor	A richer, deeper, and more customizable flavor profile that reflects the chosen ingredients.	Flavor can range from bland to overly seasoned, depending on the brand and additives.
Cost	Typically more affordable to make at home using leftover bones and scraps.	Can be expensive, especially for high-quality, organic options.
Consistency	Often becomes gelatinous when chilled, indicating high collagen content.	May not gel when chilled, indicating less collagen and a less robust nutrient extraction.

Conclusion

Drinking bone broth provides a simple, nutrient-dense way to consume beneficial amino acids, protein, and minerals that support various aspects of health, particularly gut and joint wellness. While it is not a "magic bullet" and shouldn't replace a balanced diet, it offers a soothing and hydrating addition to a wellness routine. The key is to choose or create a high-quality broth, and consult with a healthcare provider if you have specific dietary concerns, especially regarding sodium intake. Ultimately, enjoying a warm mug of bone broth can be a comforting and nourishing ritual that benefits the body from the inside out.

Sourcing Your Bones Sustainably

For those who are environmentally conscious, consuming bone broth aligns with a "nose-to-tail" eating philosophy. By utilizing animal bones that might otherwise be discarded, it represents a commitment to reducing food waste and honoring the entire animal. Using bones from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals ensures the highest quality ingredients for your broth.

Frequently Asked Questions

While both use bones, stock is typically simmered for a few hours, resulting in a thinner liquid. Bone broth is simmered for much longer (12-72 hours) to break down bones and connective tissue more completely, yielding a thicker, gelatinous, and more nutrient-dense product.

Bone broth is rich in collagen, which is broken down into amino acids during digestion. While this provides the building blocks for your body to produce its own collagen, there is limited scientific evidence that directly linking drinking bone broth to improved skin elasticity or hydration, although it likely does no harm.

Yes, bone broth is generally safe to drink daily as part of a balanced diet. However, be mindful of sodium content, especially if you have high blood pressure or kidney issues, and consider making your own to control the ingredients.

Bone broth is high in protein and low in calories, which can help increase satiety and manage appetite. This can be a useful tool for supporting calorie restriction and weight management, but it should not be used as a meal replacement.

Homemade bone broth is often more nutrient-dense and allows for control over ingredients, especially sodium. However, high-quality store-bought options are available, so it is important to check ingredient labels to avoid excessive sodium and unnecessary additives.

The most reliable way to tell is by checking its consistency after refrigeration. High-quality bone broth should form a jelly-like, gelatinous texture when it cools down, which indicates a high concentration of extracted collagen.

Some amino acids found in bone broth, such as glycine and arginine, possess anti-inflammatory properties. While human research is still developing, consuming these compounds may help reduce chronic inflammation.