Who Should Avoid Bone Broth? Essential Health Considerations

October 15, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 30% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from chronic kidney disease, a condition that makes bone broth potentially risky due to its high mineral content. While celebrated for its collagen and nutrients, it is not suitable for everyone, so it is important to know who should avoid bone broth for safety.

Quick Summary

Individuals with certain pre-existing conditions, like gout, kidney disease, or histamine intolerance, should be cautious with or avoid bone broth. It can contain high levels of purines, potassium, and histamines, which may worsen these health problems. Heavy metal contamination is another potential concern.

Key Points

Histamine Intolerance: Long-cooked bone broth can be very high in histamines, triggering headaches, rashes, or digestive distress in sensitive individuals.
Gout Risks: The high purine content in bone broth can increase uric acid levels, potentially triggering painful gout attacks in susceptible people.
Kidney Disease Complications: High levels of potassium, phosphorus, and sodium in bone broth can be dangerous for individuals with chronic kidney disease, who need to restrict their mineral intake.
Heavy Metal Concerns: Some studies suggest heavy metals like lead can leach from animal bones into the broth, which is a potential risk for those with compromised health, especially from improperly sourced bones.
Dietary Restrictions: Bone broth is unsuitable for vegans, vegetarians, and those with certain sensitivities, such as to glutamates.
Consult a Professional: Always discuss major dietary changes, including the addition of bone broth, with a doctor or registered dietitian.

Understanding the Risks of Bone Broth

While bone broth has gained popularity as a health elixir, providing minerals, collagen, and amino acids, its composition makes it unsuitable for certain individuals. The long simmering process extracts not only beneficial components but also concentrates substances that can trigger adverse reactions in sensitive people. Being informed about these potential risks is crucial for making smart dietary choices.

High Histamine Levels and Intolerance

One of the most common reasons people need to avoid bone broth is histamine intolerance. The long cooking times required to extract nutrients from bones also cause a build-up of histamines, which are compounds released by the immune system during allergic reactions. For people who lack the enzyme (diamine oxidase) needed to break down histamines, consuming bone broth can lead to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

Headaches and migraines
Skin issues like hives or rashes
Digestive problems such as bloating, gas, and stomach pain
Fatigue and dizziness

Gout and High Purine Content

Gout is a painful form of arthritis caused by an accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. Uric acid is a byproduct of the body breaking down purines. Foods rich in purines, including meat-based gravies and broths, can trigger or worsen gout flare-ups. Because bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue, it can contain significant levels of purines. Individuals with gout or a predisposition to high uric acid levels should therefore limit or avoid bone broth to prevent flare-ups.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Mineral Overload

For individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), proper filtration of waste products and minerals is compromised. The potential risks of bone broth for those with CKD include:

High sodium: Many commercial bone broths are high in sodium, which can elevate blood pressure and strain the kidneys.
High potassium and phosphorus: Bone broth can contain significant levels of potassium and phosphorus, which individuals with CKD must restrict. An excessive intake of these minerals can be dangerous for someone with impaired kidney function.
Excess protein: Excessive protein intake can further stress compromised kidneys.

Considerations for those on Restricted Diets

Bone broth is inherently an animal-derived product, making it unsuitable for those following plant-based diets.

Vegans and Vegetarians: The consumption of bone broth, which is made by simmering animal parts, is incompatible with vegan or vegetarian lifestyles.
Glutamate Sensitivity: Some individuals are sensitive to free glutamates, which can be found in bone broth and trigger symptoms like headaches, anxiety, and digestive upset.

Potential for Heavy Metal Contamination

Concerns have been raised about the potential for heavy metal contamination in bone broth, particularly lead. While research is mixed, some studies have shown that lead can leach from animal bones, which may accumulate due to environmental exposure, into the broth during the simmering process. While levels are often low, those with compromised health or conditions like kidney disease should be mindful of this risk, as should children, who are more susceptible to lead poisoning. Sourcing bones from healthy, ethically-raised animals and controlling cooking time can help mitigate this risk.

Comparison of Risks by Health Condition


Condition	Primary Risk	Reason	Bone Broth Action
Histamine Intolerance	High histamine content	Long cooking time increases histamine levels, leading to headaches, rashes, and digestive issues.	Avoid long-simmered bone broth. Consider short-cooked meat broth.
Gout	High purine levels	Purines in animal tissue and bones break down into uric acid, which can trigger painful flare-ups.	Avoid or limit consumption, especially during a flare-up.
Chronic Kidney Disease	Mineral overload	Concentrated potassium, phosphorus, and sodium can overstress compromised kidneys and be harmful.	Avoid high-sodium, high-mineral broths. Consult a doctor.
Heavy Metal Concerns	Potential lead contamination	Lead can leach from animal bones into the broth, especially from poorly sourced animals.	Ensure use of high-quality, responsibly sourced bones.
Vegan/Vegetarianism	Animal-based product	Bone broth is made from animal bones and connective tissue, which is incompatible with plant-based diets.	Avoid completely. Look for plant-based alternatives.

Conclusion

Although widely touted for its health benefits, bone broth is not a universal panacea and may pose significant health risks for certain individuals. Anyone with histamine intolerance, gout, or chronic kidney disease should approach bone broth with caution or avoid it entirely due to its potential to exacerbate these conditions. Likewise, those on a vegan or vegetarian diet and those concerned about heavy metal exposure should abstain. As with any significant dietary change, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if bone broth is safe and appropriate for your specific health needs.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any dietary changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have histamine intolerance, it is best to avoid long-cooked bone broth as the extended simmering process significantly increases its histamine content. Consider a shorter-cooked meat broth or consult a doctor.

Yes, bone broth can contain high levels of purines, which the body converts into uric acid. For individuals with gout, high uric acid can trigger painful joint flare-ups, so it is often recommended to limit or avoid it.

Bone broth can contain concentrated levels of potassium, phosphorus, and sodium, which can be dangerous for individuals with chronic kidney disease whose kidneys are unable to filter these minerals effectively.

While research is mixed, there is a risk of heavy metals, like lead, leaching into the broth from animal bones, especially if the bones are not from ethically-raised, well-sourced animals. Choosing high-quality bones can mitigate this risk.

Common side effects can include digestive issues like bloating, gas, and stomach pain, as well as headaches, fatigue, or rashes, especially in those with histamine or glutamate sensitivities.

Yes, for those on vegan or vegetarian diets, there are many flavorful vegetable broths available. These can be made with a variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices to provide a nourishing liquid base without animal products.

To make bone broth potentially safer, especially regarding heavy metals, use high-quality bones from grass-fed, pasture-raised animals. You can also control the sodium and mineral content by preparing it at home and using less salt.