Bone broth has become a popular health food over the last few years. Since it’s made from bones, it stands to reason that it would have nutrients beneficial for your bones– and in fact it does. But let’s look more closely at what bone broth actually is, and what the studies say.
What Is Bone Broth Protein?
Bone broth protein is made by cooking bones, ligaments, tendons, and water under high pressure at a high temperature. It’s usually made from chicken, but sometimes from beef or fish. So bone broth isn’t just bones but also connective tissue.
Though it’s sometimes sold as a liquid, bone broth is more often sold as a powder that is mixed with hot water. The powder is more compact, keeps for longer, and is much easier to incorporate into recipes. Bone broth can be used in cooking, in shakes, or simply drunk hot out of a mug, almost like a protein-rich tea. Some bone broths are also flavored to substitute for coffee or hot chocolate.
In addition to protein, bone broth contains nutrients such as collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin which are vital for healthy bones and connective tissue, as well as skin. Bone broth is also rich in the amino acids glycine and glutamine, precursors for other essential compounds.
For fitness enthusiasts, bone broth protein is a great replacement for whey protein due to its additional nutrients and gentle, nurturing effect on the gut.
Benefits Of Bone Broth Protein
There are few studies on bone broth protein benefits per se, but many studies on the individual nutrients within it:
- A high-protein diet boosts your metabolism, reduces appetite and aids weight loss
- Chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine in bone broth help repair joints, reduce joint pain and prevent osteoarthritis
- Hyaluronic acid in bone broth retains water in the skin, acting as a moisturizer
- Collagen in bone broth strengthens skin and prevents skin aging
- The amino acid glycine, one of the main amino acids in bone broth, is anti-inflammatory, especially in connective tissues like tendons
- Glycine aids both sleep and waking up in the morning
- Glutamine, another major amino acid in bone broth, restores the gut lining and reduces gut permeability
Best Bone Broth Protein Powder: Reviews
Best Bone Broth Protein Powder With Collagen
Organixx Organic Bone Broth Protein Powder
This Organixx bone broth protein powder is plain-flavored and is made from organic, antibiotic-free and hormone-free chicken bones. The plain flavor allows users to customise its sweetness with nutritious foods, such as fruit. One user adds this bone broth to their match a tea in the mornings and another loves the texture it gives to their soups.
Best Vanilla Bone Broth Protein Powder
Organixx Creamy Vanilla Bone Broth Protein Powder
Organixx chicken bone broth is also available in vanilla which is perfect for users who love vanilla-flavoring for protein desserts and milkshake recipes. Reviews confirm that this vanilla bone broth protein tastes great. Vanilla bean holds its own host of benefits including antioxidant activity and aiding wound healing.
Best Bone Broth Protein: Chocolate
Organixx Smooth Chocolate Bone Broth Protein Powder
Organixx chocolate flavor is a clear winner among reviewers. Chocolate doesn’t just provide a great taste. It also contains vitamins and minerals like magnesium and zinc, and flavonoids for antioxidant activity. Like the plain and vanilla-flavored bone broth, this broth also comes from chicken bones.
Best Chocolate Bone Broth Protein Powder On Amazon
Ancient Nutrition Chocolate Bone Broth Protein Powder
Ancient Nutrition bone broth protein chocolate contains chicken bones. Users find that this bone broth is best mixed in smoothies, soups and oatmeal rather than coffee for taste. The only issue some users have had with this product is the serving size sometimes falls short.
Best Bone Broth Protein: Turmeric
Ancient Nutrition Turmeric Bone Broth Protein Powder
Ancient Nutrition’s chicken bone broth protein turmeric flavor has mixed reviews. Turmeric itself is a powerful anti-inflammatory, though some users don’t like the taste. However, unlike Ancient Nutrition’s other bone broths, their turmeric bone broth doesn’t contain xantham gum, which can cause an upset stomach.
Best Bone Broth Protein: Coffee
Terra Origin Collagen + Protein Bone Broth, Coffee
Terra Origin bone broth protein coffee powder contains a combination of chicken, turkey and beef bones. The coffee flavor, along with the chocolate, is one of their more popular flavors. If you love the taste of a morning coffee, this flavor is perfect for making a decaf mocha when combined with milk and water.
Best Grass-Fed Organic Bone Broth Protein Powder
Natural Force Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth Protein Powder: Vanilla
Natural Force organic bone broth protein powder comes from grass-fed and organic beef. Bovine bones contain type I, II and III collagen, providing skin, bone and muscle benefits. For natural sweetness, we recommend the vanilla flavor which produces a creamy blend, perfect for making tasty vanilla shakes and protein pancakes.
Editor’s note: we are regularly updating this review. If you see any problems, weird interpretations of the data, or just want to say hi, please reach out to hello@the-unwinder.com.
Feature photo by Indivar Kaushik on Unsplash