When we’re sick we turn to soup to make us feel better, right? Some may say it’s just a myth that eating soup helps fight off an illness, but is it possible that soup does have healing properties? When it is prepared correctly, soup does, in fact, give our immune system a boost. I’m not talking about Campbell’s, Progresso, or any other store-bought soup, but traditionally prepared soups made with traditionally prepared bone broths- the way grandma makes them.
How Does Bone Broth Boost Immunity?
Did you know that 70-80% of our immune system is in the gut? So, in order to have a strong immune system, we must have a properly functioning digestive system (learn how a properly functioning digestive system works here). Our gut health determines the health of our whole body. If we don’t have good digestive health, we can’t utilize all the nutrients in our food even if we’re eating nutrient-dense foods. The nutrients in our food all have important jobs in the body. The baseline of good health starts with well functioning digestive system. Bone broth is loaded with minerals, gelatin, and collagen which help to heal and repair the gut lining. If you’re suffering from digestive issues, such as IBS, consuming bone broth daily can be a tremendous help. The minerals in bone broth are in their bio-available form, meaning it is much easier for the body to absorb and utilize these minerals. Bone broth is an extremely nourishing and healing food.
Benefits of Bone Broth
- Heals/Repairs GI Tract
- Supports Skin Health
- Boosts Immunity
- Supports Joint Health
- Supports Muscle Health
- Supports Bone Health
Properly Prepared Bone Broth
In order to reap the benefits of bone broth, it must be properly prepared. You can’t go to the supermarket and pick up some bouillon cubes or packaged broth and expect to see the same results. Traditionally, bone broth was a common staple in people’s diets. Making bone broth is not only nourishing to our bodies, but respectful to the animals by not letting any part go to waste.
The sign of a good quality bone broth is that it jiggles like jello when it’s refrigerated.
To make bone broth, you’ll want to start with a variety of bones, including some feet bones if you can. Feet bones are ideal to use because they have cartilage and will give the broth more collagen. The first step is to add the bones to a stockpot with some apple cider vinegar poured over them and let them sit like that for about an hour. This helps to leach the minerals out of the bones. After sitting for an hour, you’ll pour in water and add in your veggies (carrots, celery, onion) and whatever herbs you like and keep it over very low heat for 8-24 hours. Once the broth is done, use a fine mesh strainer or a cheesecloth to filter the broth. You can discard the veggies or use them to make soup.
The nutrient density of the broth will be greater with bones from animals that were grass-fed and raised on pasture.
If you’re like me and suck at making bone broth, you might like to check out this course on how to make bone broth: How To Make Bone Broth 101.
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